But here is what I found in my research: Black, Green, White, Oolong, and Golden Tea all come from the same tree. It depends upon how long and how it is processed which gives it it's name. White tea is extracted when the leaves are fresh. Green Tea leaves are dried fresh, then crushed. Golden Tea is processed longer, and black tea is fermented, dried and processed. With each degree and length of processing, the chemical structure of the original leaf changes a bit more - until you have the strongest tea with the highest amount of caffeine - black tea. Here are some totals of Caffeine content: Caffeine Content Coffee (8oz) 133-160 mg. Red Bull or Rock Star (8oz) 80 mg Mountain Dew (12 oz) 54 mg Black Tea (8oz.) 53 mg. Coke (12 oz.) 47 mg. Pepsi (12oz.) 38 mg Arizona Blk Tea (16oz.) 32 mg Hershey Special Dark (1.45oz) 31 mg Arizona Green Tea(16oz) 15 mg Check out this article. Tea does NOT have tannic acid. It has tannins - which are different and don't do the damage that tannic acid does. http://elmwoodinn.com/about/tannicacid.htm Here are some things to consider: *Obviously the higher concentration of caffeine you drink - the more effect it will have on your heart, and the more addictive it will be. *Green Tea has less caffeine - by far. Even less than chocolate. Also, since it is processed less, it retains a much higher volume of antioxidents, etc. (just like cooking vegetables, the longer you cook them, the more nutrition you lose.) *Coffee and Black Tea were the drinks of the time when the word of wisdom was given. Green tea was not that well known or used. *Soda pops (some not only contain caffeine), but because of the carbonation, they don't allow your body to absorb calcium or use vitiman B's. Considering these facts, I personally don't believe that green tea is what the word of wisdom was refering to. I believe that it was refering to black tea and coffee. If I am wrong, I will have to answer to a higher court. I think that people should use good judgement in what they choose to consume. I have a friend that is a school nurse and tells tales of the havoc that the 'energy' drinks are having on our high schoolers - racing hearts, fainting, etc. I'm sure that Bishops aren't asking if people are drinking Red Bull or Mt. Dew in the temple interviews. I am drinking green tea for it's health benefits. I drink it in moderation. I also drink TONS of water. I have stopped drinking soda pop (with or without caffeine). I still eat chocolate! Educate yourself on the facts. Then personally take it to the Lord in prayer. Make your decisions based on common sense and the answer you get from the Lord.
