CRITICAL APPRAISALS

CRITICAL APPRAISALS



Critical Appraisals

Paper # 1: Green Tea Consumption and Mortality Due to Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and All Causes in Japan (The Ohsaki Study).

Researchers conducted an analysis in Japan to determine the effects of green tea consumption on all-cause mortality. The main hypothesis was that green tea has protective effects against reducing all-cause mortality and life-threatening diseases like cancer and cardio vascular disorders. The analysis took place on 40,530 Japanese citizens from the north-eastern Japan for a time period of eleven years. A self-administered questionnaire was employed to gather information about the tea consumption of people. Responses were analyzed and an inverse relationship was found between green tea consumption and mortality. In comparison to respondents who consumed one cup per day, it was found out that a minimum of 5 cups per day per individual reduced the threats of cardio vascular diseases and mortality from 16 percent to 26 percent. This effect of green tea was observed to be more active in women than men. However, no mortality reduction was observed against cancer (Vijayalaxmi, 1999, 21).

The study conducted on the side-effects of green tea consumption was clearly focused. The outcomes were well defined and the population was studied over a time period of 11 years for the same research problem, which makes it more valid in terms of responses. The population for the research is defined within the parameters and the questionnaires so administered were successful in extracting the necessary information. The consumption patterns of green tea were brought into focus and its consequences on the health of individuals were studied. Green tea contains chemo preventive agents against cardiovascular diseases and is said to have effects of reducing the risk of cardiovascular ailments. The participants in the group were allocated to intervention and control levels. The group was well balanced and there had not been any discrepancy at entry to the trial reported.

Green tea consumption is closely associated with improved longevity in the recent times. This study of Japan found that drinking five or more cups a day of green tea, will significantly reduce cerebral infarction and other organ disease, the mortality rate cycle, and contribute to longevity. The 11-year survey results are published in the Journal of American Medical Association. Group personnel who consume a specific amount of tea per day were divided into four groups in order to analyze its effects on their health. The survey found that drinking five or more cups of green tea than those who drank the least (less than a cup a day), men 12% lower mortality rate, 23% lower mortality in women. In addition, if there are symptoms of cerebral infarction led to the investigation of atherosclerosis, the research team found that consumption of green, male mortality rates lower than 42% of infrequent drinkers, women with low 62%. Study group investigation found that the mortality gap between men and women may also be associated with smoking. Researchers have found that in people who like to drink green tea; the ...