Did you know that the green tea caffeine content can be as high as what is found in black teas? Sources vary concerning the actual amount that a cup contains, but according to the Mayo Clinic, green teas contain between 10 and 40mg per cup. The black ones contain about 40.

The things that black teas lack are antioxidants. The heat and humidity used to process the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, from which these types of teas are derived, turn the leaves black. The process is called fermentation, although it is not actually a fermenting process. Something about the process reduces the antioxidant content.

The leaves that are to be used for green teas are not fermented. There are a number of different variations of the plants. They are grown commercially in China, Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Kashmir.

The highest green tea caffeine content is found in the variety called Jade Dew. Grown in Japan, it is considered the highest grade. When prepared, a Jade Dew infusion is typically 16% caffeine. Many varieties are only 2-4%. If an eight ounce cup of a variety on the low end of the spectrum contained 10mg, then the high end could go up to 80mg.

One of the reasons that estimates vary concerning the green tea caffeine content may be simple for you to understand. Growing conditions affect all of the compounds present in a plant. The longer a plant is allowed to grow, the more nutrients it will absorb from the soil and the more antioxidants it will create for protection. So, not only does the caffeine-content vary, the antioxidant-content varies, as well.

The antioxidants that are found in the camellia sinensis plant are unique. So far, they have only been found in camellia sinensis and some species of the cocoa plant. The antioxidants may explain why many areas of Asia have a lower incidence of heart disease, despite a high incidence of cigarette smoking. On the other hand, they might not.

Claims of health benefits are made for all of the single ingredient supplements that you see on the market. Lately, we are seeing the claims appear on a variety of foods, as well. Are cheerios good for your heart? Is it the green tea caffeine content that provides the health benefits or is it the antioxidants?

Researchers are likely to debate these subjects for years. At one time, cigarette companies claimed that smoking was good for your health and would help you lose weight. Now, we know better.

I believe that the best thing that we can do is to strive to avoid known carcinogens (such as those found in cigarette smoke), eat the highest quality most natural foods (such as organic) and take a multi-nutritional supplement that contains all natural ingredients that our bodies need.

If you are concerned about the green tea caffeine content, the better supplements that contain the extract provide only traces of the stimulant, but lots of the antioxidants. That’s my pick. If you have two minutes to spare, please take a look at my website now.