New Research Confirms ITO EN's Green Tea Is A Must For Healthy Living

Green Tea and Health

Make Green Tea the key to the new You, in the New Year

Green Tea who knew? Well, for starters, the Japanese... and they have known it for quite some time. It's no secret that the Japanese diet is one of the healthiest in the world and a key component to their diet is green tea. So, with the new year upon us, ITO EN, the world's premiere supplier of green tea would like to share the latest research surrounding this beverage which makes it a must for anyone resolving to live a healthier lifestyle.

Previous research findings have shown that green tea leaves are high in catechins, which offer antioxidant benefits and may aid in the defense of cancer and other cardiovascular diseases. It also contains theanine, which can create a feeling of "relaxed alertness" and has been found to be effective for helping to combat tension, stress and anxiety, and has also been linked to increased mental focus, improved concentration, and promotion of creativity. Most recently, researchers have found evidence that drinking green tea may help in the fight against ovarian cancer, leukemia and Alzheimer's disease. A sampling of these case studies includes:

• Swedish researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, found that women who drank two cups (or more) of tea per day, had a 46% reduced risk of ovarian cancer.

• Patients at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who began drinking green tea showed general improvements in their condition such as higher white blood cell counts and regression of their cancer. The study also discovered that a compound found in green tea, EGCG, was able to kill cancer cells in a test tube.

• The same ingredient, EGCG, may protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease based on research conducted at the University of South Florida.

To enjoy the maximum health benefits of green tea, ITO EN would like to recommend
Sencha Shot to help boost the immune system. One 6.4 oz serving of Sencha Shot contains 152mg of natural tea catechins. Perfect for today's on-the-go lifestyle, this is approximately five times the amount found in an 8 fl oz. serving of a standard green tea beverage, and 140% of the RDI of vitamin C. The suggested retail price is $1.69. For more information please visit www.senchashot.com.

ITO EN also produces TEAS' TEA, which is a line of bottled ready-to-drink teas available in nine different flavors. The first tea of their kind imported into the United States, TEAS' TEA are all natural, unsweetened and produced using a whole-leaf fresh brew method, versus a powder or concentrate. Varieties includes Pure Green, Golden Oolong, Green Jasmine, Green Genmai, Green White, Green Hoji, Rose Green, Lemongrass Green and Mugi Cha. More information can be found by visiting www.teastea.com. TEAS' TEA is available nationwide in Whole Foods and Wild Oats, as well as in independent health and gourmet food stores and delicatessens for the suggested retail price for a 16.9 fl oz. bottle of $1.79 - $1.99.

"Japanese culture has readily adopted green tea as a part of healthy lifestyle, and it is becoming more popular in the U.S. as research supports the phenomenal health reasons to drink green tea," said Rona Tison, vice president, corporate relations for ITO EN (North America) INC. "For people looking for a healthy alternative to bottled water, sweetened teas and juices, energy or soft drinks, ITO EN's green teas offer soothing flavors with no calories, fat or sugar that can derail a diet or fitness plan."

Since establishing their U.S. operations in 2001, Tokyo-based ITO EN LTD. has introduced the green tea culture to the American market through the TEAS' TEA line of all natural, unsweetened ready-to-drink teas as well as through their New York City based retail and restaurant divisions. The Ito En Tea Shop, located on Manhattan's Madison Avenue, has received the 2005 and 2006 Zagat Gourmet Marketplace award for 'best tea' and the company also operates the renowned KAI and Donguri restaurants in New York City. TEAS' TEA recently received the 'best flavor' and 'best packaging' awards from the World Tea Expo and has been chosen as the tea of choice in San Francisco's Hotel Vitale.

In Japan, ITO EN LTD. is renowned as a trendsetter in the tea and beverage industries. They were the first company to produce an unsweetened, 100% naturally brewed canned green tea beverage, pioneering an entirely new market for green tea.