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Tea is the most popular drink after water, consumed everyday by millions of people around the world. Tea is generally consumed in the forms of green, oolong and black tea, all of which originate from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. Green tea has been considered by the traditional Chinese medicine as a healthful beverage. It was used medicinally to treat various illnesses. Health benefits are believed to be largely due to the presence of high levels of flavonoids. Recent human studies suggest that green tea may contribute to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer, as well as to the promotion of oral health. In addition, green tea possesses significant antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, thermogenic properties. The human studies on using green tea catechins to treat metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, type II diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors. Long-term consumption of tea catechins could be beneficial against high-fat diet-induced obesity and type II diabetes and could reduce the risk of coronary disease. Green tea is used to improve mental alertness and thinking; it is also used for weight loss and to treat stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, bone loss (osteoporosis) and solid tumor cancers. The present review focuses on the beneficial effects of tea consumption on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]