Green Tea Scores Again

Add a healthy mouth to another one of the possible benefits of drinking green tea. Thanks to the phyto-chemicals that pack an antioxidant punch, sipping the beverage helps reduce the inflammation in the mouth caused by the microbes that lurk on the teeth, gums and mouth. In fact, a Japanese study that looked at the tea-drinking habits of nearly a thousand men found that those who regularly consumed green tea enjoyed a much lower instance of periodontal disease than non tea lovers.

This could also help explain why green tea has been shown to be good for the heart. At least 700 types of bacteria attack bleeding gums, a common side effect of bad dental hygiene. These icky bugs go straight to the bloodstream. Scientists now tag them as "independent factors" in causing heart disease --even in an otherwise healthy person. Green tea neutralizes the germs, which leads to healthier gums and quite likely, a healthier heart.

So how much green tea should you drink? The Japanese study found that for every one cup of green tea consumed per day, there was a decrease in all indicators of periodontal disease. But of course, you can get too much of a good thing: Ingest too much green tea -- especially in supplement form - and you run the risk of developing liver or kidney damage. (Green tea supplements can contain 50 times more polyphenols than a single cup of green tea.) Studies show up to ten cups a day is safe.