Feature

Selenium (Se) has been recognized as an essential nutrient for humans. Plant foods are the predominant source of Selenium and majority of dietary Selenium is absorbed depending on the type of food consumed. Studies show that green tea is becoming increasingly popular for its prominent health benefits, including the ability to supplement Selenium in organically bound, natural food form. The selenium content of Se-enriched green tea is produced by the selenium level of local soils in which it is grown. Natural Se-enriched tea is mainly produced in some regions where high selenium content exists in the soil. Tea plants possess the ability to retain high levels of selenium than other plants. Green tea is one of the popular natural health drinks that contain a variety of bioactive compounds. Reports show that green tea non-nutrient bioactive compounds have antioxidant, anticancer, anti-obesity and other pharmacological functions. Selenium is an essential nutrient element for human health. It may reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction (cardiac arrest), Keshan disease, liver damage, cancer and many other diseases. Selenium has been shown to prevent certain cancers, inhibit the growth of tumor cells, especially obvious inhibitory effects on liver cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer and other digestive cancers. If the dietary intake of selenium is not enough, it can seriously affect human health, thereby resulting in oxidative damage to many organs. Selenium is a constituent of more than two dozen seleno-proteins that play critical roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis and protection from oxidative damage and infection.