Green, black, and oolong tea are all derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Originally cultivated in East Asia, this plant grows as large as a shrub or tree. Today, Camellia sinensis grows throughout Asia and parts of the Middle East and Africa.

The healthful properties of green tea are largely attributed to polyphenols, chemicals with potent antioxidant properties. In fact, the antioxidant effects of polyphenols appear to be greater than vitamin C.

 Health Benefits

When you take green tea caffeine in the proper proportions it will help stimulate all the organs in your body in addition to your brain which will help refresh your body. It also contains a small amount of caffeine in each serving that can help to stimulate the skeletal muscles and make muscular contractions smoother.

Green tea may help reduce inflammation associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two types of IBD. If green tea proves to be helpful for preventing colon cancer, this would be an added benefit for those with IBD because they are at risk for colon cancer.

Research has shown that green tea extract increases the body's thermogenesis, the generation of body heat, which in turn burns the calories and fat needed to lose weight.

Studies have shown that green tea lowers the amount of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the blood stream. LDLs are responsible for the buildup of plaque in the arteries that could lead to heart disease.

Studies point to green tea extract's ability to neutralize free radicals, chemicals that could damage cells. Green tea extracts could also limit cell replication, which is the main feature of cancer.

Side Effects?

In this case green tea side effects can be like any other caffeine-induced side-effects including, but not limited to, headaches, shaking, sweating, hyperactivity, irritability and problems sleeping. High levels of caffeine have also been associated with skin rashes from time to time, through these tend to go as quickly as they arrived once the caffeine has left the body.