Even Oprah swears by the benefits of this fat-burning, metabolism-boosting antioxidant. When used in combination with a healthy-eating program and fitness plan, green tea can have a positive impact on cholesterol levels, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes and other serious medical conditions.

A recent study showed that people who drank tea for more than 10 years also had a reduction in body fat.

Green tea is loaded with an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallete, which not only stops the growth of cancer cells but kills them as well. This property also lowers cholesterol levels and prevents the formation of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Green tea is so effective in promoting good health because of how it is made. The steaming process stops the EGCG property from being oxidized the way it is during the preparation of other teas.

Many of the weight-loss supplements on the market include green tea or green tea extract in their formula. According to a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, research indicated that men who consumed a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those individuals burned more calories than those who took just caffeine or a placebo.