Information

2013.01.23

Vitamin C and Japanese Green Tea

The period between January and early February is the coldest time in Japan. Flu will spread widely during this period because the temperature changes a lot. Japanese people will turn on a heater or sit around a “Kotatsu” 「こたつ」 or a low table on the floor which has a light bulb underneath and a sheet which covers all four sides. They will eat oranges or apples and drink green tea to get warmed up and prevent colds.

In Japan, if flu is very contagious, schools may be closed for a week. The schools will issue a letter to parents, telling them to make hot green tea and put it in a thermos bottle for their child to take to school. The green tea will be used for gargling, mouthwashing or drinking during recess in order to kill oral germs. Every kid will be told to clean his hands with soap every time before having a meal or when he arrives at home.

Sencha「煎茶」 or Japanese green tea has catechin which helps kill germs in the oval cavity, throat and intestine. It also helps prevent vitamin C in green tea from disintegration. Vitamin C in fresh vegetables and fruits will disintegrate very easily when it is exposed to heat, under alkaline condition or in water. For instance, boiling vegetables for about 10 minute causes vitamin C to reduce by over 50%.

Moreover, vitamin C cannot be stored in the body. Thus, each day, we need as much as 100 mg of vitamin C (in adults). Drinking 5 cups of Japanese green tea equals to drinking lemon juice which is squeezed out of 100 g of lemon. The body will gain approximately 50 mg of vitamin C or 50% of its daily need.

Vitamin C is the nutrient which will bond with free radicals to prevent the oxidation reaction and stop body cells from being destroyed. Vitamin C also helps enhance the immunity, restore the body, prevent colds and make skin beautiful. These days, Thailand also has cool weather. Please take care of your health.