SUPERMARKETGURU FOOD &
HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSFLASH!
Want Better Breath?
Published on: April 12, 2003by Melissa T. Schultz
If you are looking for products to make your breath better, put down the mouthwash and head straight for the aisle with green tea.
The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from wounds to fever. Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is confirming long held theories. Some of the most widely documented include preventing cancer and heart disease, and strengthening bones in postmenopausal women. These health benefits are attributed to the compounds in tea known as polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that eliminate cell-damaging free radicals. We produce free radicals in our bodies, they are the byproducts of chemical processes.
Researchers have also discovered that polyphenols in green tea can neutralize odor-causing compounds and bacteria in our mouths. To make it more interesting, researchers in British Columbia wanted to see which worked better at fighting bad breath, mints, gum or green tea. They found that green tea was the most effective. Green tea also helps prevent gum disease and cavities because it can inhibit the growth of bacteria.
As long as you brew it first, most experts say you'll reap the benefits of tea regardless of whether you drink it hot or cold. Simply swishing the tea around in your mouth can fight bad breath.
Of the many types of teas available in the U.S., green tea is thought to have one the highest levels of healthy polyphenols because of the way it is processed. A word of caution - green tea contains caffeine - though there is less in green tea than in coffee. There are approximately 30 to 60 milligrams (mg) of caffeine in 6 to 8 ounces of green tea, and over 100 mg in 8 ounces of coffee. Herbal teas do not offer the same breath benefits.
