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==News About Green Tea== | ==News About Green Tea== | ||
'''Green Tea Health Benefits: Can It Really Protect Against Cancer And Lower Cholesterol?''' | |||
*Source:http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/green-tea-health-benefits-antioxidants_uk_57a20fe4e4b02c018083c8a1 | |||
:By Natasha Hinde | |||
Everything you need to know | |||
For some, green tea can be an acquired taste. But judging by some of its health benefits, the pungent tea is well worth the scrunched up face. | |||
Here, we explore what it actually is, how it boosts health and whether it’s really a great weight loss aid. | |||
:What Is It? | |||
Green tea contains B vitamins, folate, manganese, potassium, magnesium, caffeine and other antioxidants, notably catechins, according to the NHS. | |||
It is made by steaming fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. | |||
It can be purchased in tea bag form or the tea leaves can be added to a pot of hot water and strained. | |||
:Health Benefits | |||
“There do seem to be many benefits of consuming green tea,” says nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed. “And there are plenty of research papers that suggest a benefit of, or link the consumption of, green tea to positive health aspects. | |||
“For example, research has suggested that green tea may have benefits in protection against degenerative and chronic diseases, and promising effects on lowering blood pressure.” | |||
It is also believed that green tea has protective effects against cancer. However the NHS states that there is “no evidence” of this. | |||
British Dietetic Association (BDA) spokesperson Chloe Miles tells The Huffington Post UK: “I’d say most of the evidence for green tea is inconclusive.” | |||
She said it may help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, but adds that more long-term trials are needed. | |||
Stirling-Reed notes that most of the beneficial health effects of green tea are believed to come from its high content of compounds called polyphenols or flavonols. | |||
“These flavonols make up around 30% of the dry weight of the fresh green tea leaf and so green tea itself can play a big part in providing the body with these beneficial compounds,” she says. | |||
According to Neal’s Yard, polyphenols found in green tea can prevent the break down of collagen and cartilage, making it a promising home remedy for issues like arthritis. | |||
Green tea has also been touted as a natural weight loss method, as it is believed that the antioxidants catechin and caffeine may speed up metabolism. But don’t get too excited, as a review of 18 studies involving 1,945 people found no significant effect of weight loss from drinking green tea. | |||
“It might increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation however you’d have to consume a lot to get that effect and the amount of weight loss would be small,” explains the BDA’s Chloe Miles. | |||
“Ultimately green tea is a great food to include in your diet and it may have some beneficial properties that help you look after your health,” adds Stirling-Reed. | |||
“Different people are likely to have different responses to green tea and we don’t know much about this at the moment but, if you enjoy it, there is no problem with consuming it in moderation.” | |||
:Concerns | |||
She concludes: “The health evidence is still limited in humans, and we need much more research to determine the scale of the benefits of drinking green tea, as well as what doses may have any beneficial effects. | |||
“On top of this, we don’t know if very high doses of green tea could actually have negative effects. Therefore it’s not a good idea to consume green tea in large quantities. | |||
“Green tea contains caffeine and therefore, especially for pregnant women, it’s important not to consume too much.” | |||
She adds that the compounds in green tea can affect absorption of iron in the body, which should be taken into account for people at risk of iron deficiency. | |||
“Drinking green tea outside of mealtimes is a way to help combat this,” she advises. | |||
---- | |||
'''Benefit of drinking green tea: The proof is in -- drinking tea is healthy, says Harvard Women’s Health Watch''' | '''Benefit of drinking green tea: The proof is in -- drinking tea is healthy, says Harvard Women’s Health Watch''' | ||
*Source:http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_drinking_green_tea | *Source:http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_drinking_green_tea | ||
Revision as of 21:16, 16 September 2016
Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Cures for Diseases, Ailments & Illnesses that afflict Humans and Animals
Aloe Vera •
Astragalus •
Bankoro •
Bilberry •
Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya) •
Bitter Orange •
Black Cohosh •
Cat's Claw •
Chamomile •
Chasteberry •
Coconut •
Cranberry •
Dandelion •
Echinacea •
Ephedra •
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Evening Primrose •
Fenugreek •
Feverfew •
Flaxseed •
Garlic •
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Ginkgo •
Ginseng (Asian) •
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Green Tea •
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Tawa Tawa •
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Yohimbe •
accept the bitter to get better
 Green Tea Leaves | |||
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 Green Tea Plantation |
Green Tea
The medicinal herb Green Tea as an alternative herbal remedy - All types of tea (green, black, and oolong) are produced from the Camellia sinensis plant using different methods. Fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant are steamed to produce green tea.Common Names--green tea, Chinese tea, Japanese tea Latin Names--Camellia sinensis
What Green Tea Is Used For
- Green tea and green tea extracts, such as its component EGCG, have been used as an herbal remedy and to prevent and treat a variety of cancers, including breast, stomach, and skin cancers.
- Green tea and green tea extracts have also been used for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and protecting skin from sun damage.
How Green Tea Is Used
- Green tea is usually brewed and drunk as a beverage. Green tea extracts can be taken in capsules and are sometimes used in skin products.
What the Science Says about Green Tea
- Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in people have shown mixed results.
- Some evidence suggests that the use of green tea preparations improves mental alertness, most likely because of its caffeine content. There are not enough reliable data to determine whether green tea can aid in weight loss, lower blood cholesterol levels, or protect the skin from sun damage.
- NCCAM is supporting studies to learn more about the components in green tea and their effects on conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Side Effects and Cautions of Green Tea
- Green tea is safe for most adults when used in moderate amounts.
- Green tea and green tea extracts contain caffeine. Caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or frequent urination in some people. Caffeine can also raise blood pressure, and in very high doses, it can cause seizures, delirium, or irregular heart rhythms.
- Green tea contains small amounts of vitamin K, which can make anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, less effective.
- Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including green tea. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.
Brewing and serving Green Tea
- article: source: wikipedia
Steeping is the process of making a cup of tea; it is also referred to as brewing. In general, two grams of tea per 100ml of water, or about one teaspoon of green tea per five ounce cup, should be used. With very high-quality teas like gyokuro, more than this amount of leaf is used, and the leaf is steeped multiple times for short durations. Green tea steeping time and temperature varies with different tea. The hottest steeping temperatures are 81°C to 87°C (180°F to 190°F) water and the longest steeping times two to three minutes. The coolest brewing temperatures are 61°C to 69°C (140°F to 160°F) and the shortest times about 30 seconds. In general, lower-quality green teas are steeped hotter and longer, while higher-quality teas are steeped cooler and shorter. Steeping green tea too hot or too long will result in a bitter, astringent brew, regardless of the initial quality. It is thought that excessively hot water results in tannin chemical release, which is especially problematic in green teas, as they have higher contents of these. High-quality green teas can be and usually are steeped multiple times; two or three steepings is typical. The steeping technique also plays a very important role in avoiding the tea developing an overcooked taste. The container in which the tea is steeped or teapot should also be warmed beforehand so that the tea does not immediately cool down. It is common practice for tea leaf to be left in the cup or pot and for hot water to be added as the tea is drunk until the flavor degrades.
News About Green Tea
Green Tea Health Benefits: Can It Really Protect Against Cancer And Lower Cholesterol?
- By Natasha Hinde
Everything you need to know
For some, green tea can be an acquired taste. But judging by some of its health benefits, the pungent tea is well worth the scrunched up face.
Here, we explore what it actually is, how it boosts health and whether it’s really a great weight loss aid.
- What Is It?
Green tea contains B vitamins, folate, manganese, potassium, magnesium, caffeine and other antioxidants, notably catechins, according to the NHS.
It is made by steaming fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant.
It can be purchased in tea bag form or the tea leaves can be added to a pot of hot water and strained.
- Health Benefits
“There do seem to be many benefits of consuming green tea,” says nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed. “And there are plenty of research papers that suggest a benefit of, or link the consumption of, green tea to positive health aspects.
“For example, research has suggested that green tea may have benefits in protection against degenerative and chronic diseases, and promising effects on lowering blood pressure.”
It is also believed that green tea has protective effects against cancer. However the NHS states that there is “no evidence” of this.
British Dietetic Association (BDA) spokesperson Chloe Miles tells The Huffington Post UK: “I’d say most of the evidence for green tea is inconclusive.”
She said it may help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, but adds that more long-term trials are needed.
Stirling-Reed notes that most of the beneficial health effects of green tea are believed to come from its high content of compounds called polyphenols or flavonols.
“These flavonols make up around 30% of the dry weight of the fresh green tea leaf and so green tea itself can play a big part in providing the body with these beneficial compounds,” she says.
According to Neal’s Yard, polyphenols found in green tea can prevent the break down of collagen and cartilage, making it a promising home remedy for issues like arthritis.
Green tea has also been touted as a natural weight loss method, as it is believed that the antioxidants catechin and caffeine may speed up metabolism. But don’t get too excited, as a review of 18 studies involving 1,945 people found no significant effect of weight loss from drinking green tea.
“It might increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation however you’d have to consume a lot to get that effect and the amount of weight loss would be small,” explains the BDA’s Chloe Miles.
“Ultimately green tea is a great food to include in your diet and it may have some beneficial properties that help you look after your health,” adds Stirling-Reed.
“Different people are likely to have different responses to green tea and we don’t know much about this at the moment but, if you enjoy it, there is no problem with consuming it in moderation.”
- Concerns
She concludes: “The health evidence is still limited in humans, and we need much more research to determine the scale of the benefits of drinking green tea, as well as what doses may have any beneficial effects.
“On top of this, we don’t know if very high doses of green tea could actually have negative effects. Therefore it’s not a good idea to consume green tea in large quantities.
“Green tea contains caffeine and therefore, especially for pregnant women, it’s important not to consume too much.”
She adds that the compounds in green tea can affect absorption of iron in the body, which should be taken into account for people at risk of iron deficiency.
“Drinking green tea outside of mealtimes is a way to help combat this,” she advises.
Benefit of drinking green tea: The proof is in -- drinking tea is healthy, says Harvard Women’s Health Watch
- (Harvard Medical School)
Although tea drinking has been associated with health benefits for centuries, only in recent years have its medicinal properties been investigated scientifically. The October issue of Harvard Women's Health Watch recognizes the healthy power of tea while helping readers get the most out of their cups.
Tea's health benefits are largely due to its high content of flavonoids — plant-derived compounds that are antioxidants. Green tea is the best food source of a group called catechins. In test tubes, catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage to cells and appear to have other disease-fighting properties. Studies have found an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder.
Additional benefits for regular consumers of green and black teas include a reduced risk for heart disease. The antioxidants in green, black, and oolong teas can help block the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good) cholesterol and improve artery function. A Chinese study published recently in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed a 46%-65% reduction in hypertension risk in regular consumers of oolong or green tea, compared to non-consumers of tea.
The October issue provides a few tips to get the most out of tea-drinking:
Drinking a cup of tea a few times a day to absorb antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. In green-tea drinking cultures, the usual amount is three cups per day. Allow tea to steep for three to five minutes to bring out its catechins. The best way to get the catechins and other flavonoids in tea is to drink it freshly brewed. Decaffeinated, bottled ready-to-drink tea preparations, and instant teas have less of these compounds. Tea can impede the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables. Adding lemon or milk or drinking tea between meals will counteract this problem.
What Is The Right Time & Right Way To Drink Green Tea?
- Source:
- By Luna Dewan
Of late green tea is becoming one of the most popular beverages. This is mainly because people are becoming aware of the innumerable health benefits that come along with it. Those wishing to lose weight, shed their abdominal fat, have a better skin texture, boost metabolism and stay young, energetic and healthy are now resorting to green tea. But this does not mean that we can go on drinking green tea cups after cups. This is a mistake which most of us commit.
We should keep in mind that drinking green tea at the wrong time can also have certain side-effects. Green tea contains caffeine and tannins which can dilute the gastric juice and affect the stomach. It can lead to nausea, gastric pain and stomach acidity.
It is only when green tea is consumed at the right time and in the right quantity that we can reap its maximun health benefits. Several studies and researches have also been conducted across the world which prove that green tea has several health benefits but excessive consumption might have an adverse effect on your health. So if you are looking out for the right way to drink green tea, here it is. Have a look at these 8 best ways to drink green tea.
It is only when green tea is consumed at the right time and in the right quantity that we can reap its maximun health benefits. Several studies and researches have also been conducted across the world which prove that green tea has several health benefits but excessive consumption might have an adverse effect on your health. So if you are looking out for the right way to drink green tea, here it is. Have a look at these 8 best ways to drink green tea.
1. Do Not Drink Green Tea On An Empty Stomach: Most of us are of the opinion that having green tea on an empty stomach helps clean our system. This should be avoided. Green tea contains caffeine which can dilute the gastric juice and might affect the spleen and stomach.
2. Correct Time To Drink Green Tea: For best results green tea should be consumed about half an hour before your meal or about 1-2 hours after meals.
3. Do Not Add Milk & Sugar To Green Tea: Green tea contains antioxidants and theanine which are good for health. But when the proteins in the milk and calories in the sugar get mixed with the flavonols in the tea, it leads to a negative reaction and the body will not be able to reap the health benefits.
4. Drink Green Tea Along With Honey: The caffeine in the green tea and the vitamins in honey help rejuvinate the neurons and help burn the fat from the body. Honey helps to reduce the calories and green tea helps to boost the metabolism.
5. Avoid Drinking Green Tea Immediately After Meals: Green tea should not be consumed immediately after meals. The caffeine content in green tea affects digestion and prevents nutrition from getting absorbed by the body.
6. 2-3 Cups A Day: It is ideal to have just about 2-3 cups of green tea a day to reap maximum health benefits. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids. It should not be consumed in excess as this increases the toxicity in the body and can affect the liver.
Green tea can cure Down’s syndrome: Study
- By Ali Zain
LAHORE – Recent research has suggested that green tea can be used to treat Down’s syndrome.
According to reports, in a year-long clinical trial, the treatment led to improved scores on memory and behavioral tests. A certain chemical in the brew has been shown to improve cognitive ability in persons with Down’s syndrome.
The positive impact remained for a period of six months after the trial ended.
Brain scans revealed that the compound, called epigallocatechin gallate, altered the way neurons in the brain connect with one another.
Experts not involved in the study described it as “exciting” and “an important piece of work.”
According to World Health Organization, Down syndrome is the most common genetic form of intellectual disability and afflicts approximately one in 1,000 people.
Humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which together contain up to 25,000 protein-coding genes.
In Down’s syndrome, the extra copy causes some of the genes in chromosome 21 to be “over-expressed”, leading to reduced cognitive abilities and other health problems.
The Miracle of Green Tea
- By Shahnaz Husain (THE HANS INDIA)
Recently so much importance has been given to green tea. Present day research has also revealed the innumerable benefits of green tea in both health and beauty. Just drinking green tea is said to be preferable to any other beverage, due to its high antioxidant content. It contains polyphenols, which are powerful natural antioxidants. These not only have health benefits but actually, help to delay the visible signs of ageing on the skin and hair. The prevent and retard the degeneration caused by oxidation damage.
Drinking green tea daily is a better option because it has great benefits healthwise. For instance, regularly drinking green tea is said to help in losing weight. It increases fat oxidation and eliminates excess levels of water from the body. Green tea is also said to lower cholesterol levels due to the presence of tannins and also lowers blood pressure. However, those who are on medication for such ailments, should not discontinue medication without consulting your doctor.
Another benefit of green tea is its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking green tea actually benefits the teeth and freshens the breath. Green tea mouthwashes are also available. You can make a cup of green tea with one tea bag and wash the mouth with it. You can also make a paste of green tea leaves and mix it with baking soda. Use it on the teeth like tooth powder and also massage the gums with it.
Green tea also has several beauty benefits and can be used very easily as a home beauty treatment. In fact, it is a wonderful skin toner. Take half cup water and bring the water to a boil. Put tea leaves in a ceramic bowl. Pour the hot water over it and keep for 2 minutes. Strain and cool the liquid. Apply on face with cotton wool to tone the skin. Leave on. Or, you can dip a tea bag in a cup of hot water. Cool, and use it to tone the skin. You can even mix the liquid with face packs. You can even make the tea-water and keep in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Use the lotion to tone and refresh the skin. It is also said to soothe sunburn and help acne prone skin. Modern research has also revealed that green tea actually has sunscreen properties, as it helps to prevent free radical damage. Thus, it keeps the skin free of lines and wrinkles for a longer time. Boil 2 to 3 cups of water and add 2 green tea bags. Let it soak for a few minutes. Cool, and apply on the face with cotton wool pads. The remaining liquid may be kept in the fridge.
Since it contains powerful antioxidants, it helps to slow down the manifestation of ageing signs on the skin and protects the skin’s youthful properties. It also keeps the skin healthy and adds a glow.
Green tea, in fact, can be used in many other ways in beauty care. The tea leaves may be mixed with curd and used as a scrub. In fact, ground almonds, green tea, and curd will make a good facial and body scrub. It also makes a useful hair tonic and remedy for scalp conditions like dandruff. Use a green tea bag and a cup of hot water to make green tea hair tonic. You can even add a little lemon juice to it. Apply it on the scalp with cotton wool and leave on for 20 minutes. Green tea is also said to help control hair loss and condition the hair, as it contains Vitamins C and E. It not only restores health to the hair and softens it, but also adds a healthy shine.
It can also be used as a hair rinse after shampoo. Boil 4 to 5 cups of water. Put green tea leaves in a bowl and add the hot water to it. Cool and strain. Add the juice of a lemon and use it as a last rinse after shampoo. In fact, soaking your fingers in green tea helps to add shine to the nails, while tea bags, used as eye pads helps to reduce puffiness and induces relaxation. It is said to help reduce stress. Steep green tea bags in hot water. Allow them to cool and use them as eye pads.
11 Benefits of Green Tea That You Didn’t Know About
- Source:http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html
- By Ciara Conlon
I’m a green tea drinker.
Not for the love of the taste — no way! I drink it because I’m told it’s good for me…or, to be honest, the real reason I drink it is because I believe it help keeps my weight in check. But recently I decided to look into it a bit deeper and see what are all these other benefits of green tea people talk of.
If you are a tea lover, you have no reasons to miss the following treats:
- Why Green Tea?
Green tea has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, originating in China but widely used throughout Asia this beverage has a multitude of uses from lowering blood pressure to preventing cancer. The reason that green tea has more health benefits attached to it than black tea is (apparently) due to the processing. Black tea is processed in a way that allows for fermentation whereas green tea’s processing avoids the fermentation process. As a result, green tea retains maximum amount of antioxidants and poly-phenols the substances that give green tea its many benefits.
Here’s a list of some of its amazing benefits — benefits that you may not have been aware of. Some of these benefits are still being debated, so please do your own research if you want to use green tea for medicinal purposes.
- 1.) Weight Loss. Green tea increases the metabolism. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories.
- 2.) Diabetes. Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.
- 3.) Heart Disease. Scientists think, green tea works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks.
- 4.) Esophageal Cancer. It can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but it is also widely thought to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them.
- 5.) Cholesterol. Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
- 6.) Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is said to delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells.
- 7.) Tooth Decay. Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidant “catechin” in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions
- 8.) Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
- 9.) Depression. Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves. It is this substance that is thought to provide a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and be a great benefit to tea drinkers.
- 10.) Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial. Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases.
- 11.) Skincare. Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage.
- How Much?
These are some of the many benefits but the reality is one cup of tea a day will not give you all the abundant gains. The jury is out on how many cups are necessary; some say as little as two cups a day while others five cups — and more still say you can drink up to ten cups a day. If you are thinking of going down this route, you may want to consider taking a green tea supplement instead (it would keep you out of the bathroom).
Another thing to point out is that there is caffeine in green tea — so if you are sensitive to caffeine then one cup should be your limit. Green tea also contains tannins (which can decrease the absorption of iron and folic acid), so if you are pregnant or trying to conceive then green tea may not be ideal for you. You can try mixing green tea with other healthy ingredients such as ginger.
For the rest of us with all these abundant benefits…it’s a wonder we drink anything else.
Down's syndrome 'can be treated with green tea'
- (Agence France-Presse)
A chemical in green tea has been shown to improve cognitive ability in people with Down's syndrome, scientists and doctors said on Tuesday.
In a year-long clinical trial, the treatment led to improved scores on memory and behaviour tests, they reported in a study, published in the The Lancet Neurology.
The positive impact remained six months after the trial ended.
Brain scans revealed that the compound, called epigallocatechin gallate, altered the way neurons in the brain connect with one another.
"This is the first time that a treatment has shown efficacy in the cognitive improvement of persons with this syndrome," said Mara Dierssen, senior author of the study and a researcher at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona.
While significant, she added in a statement, the results should not be interpreted as a "cure".
"But it may be a tool to improve these individuals' quality of life."
Experts not involved in the study described it as "exciting" and "an important piece of work."
At the same time, they cautioned, the findings must be validated in additional trials.
Down's syndrome is the most common genetic form of intellectual disability, and afflicts approximately one in 1,000 people, according to the World Health Organisation.
Also known as trisomy 21, the condition is caused by the presence of an extra, or third, copy of chromosome number 21.
Humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which together contain up to 25,000 protein-coding genes.
In Down's syndrome, the extra copy causes some of the genes in chromosome 21 to be "over-expressed", leading to reduced cognitive abilities and other health problems.
In earlier experiments with mice designed to mimic Down's, Dierssen had shown that inhibiting one of these genes, DYRK1A, improved function and development in the brain.
But the technique used - gene therapy - was not an option for humans, so the researchers turned to the green tea compound.
In the trials, 84 young adults with Down's syndrome were split into two groups.
One was given a decaffeinated green tea supplement containing 45 percent epigallocatechin gallate, along with weekly online cognitive training.
The second group had the same training, but ingested a look-alike placebo instead of the supplement.
The subjects took cognitive tests after three, six and 12 months.
There was little-to-no change in most categories, but in a few - the ability to remember patterns, verbal recall, adaptive behaviour - the "green tea" group scored significantly better.
Moreover, they improved over time.
"It's exciting that an understanding of the genetic neurobiology of Down's syndrome is leading to the possibility of disorder-specific treatments," said David Nutt, head of the Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, in commenting on the study.
Marie-Claude Potier, a Down's specialist at the Brain and Spine Institute in Paris, said the results were a "leap forward," but that safety and efficacy need to be confirmed.
Still genetics is not everything, cautioned another pair of researchers, even as they recognised the importance of the new study.
"We can no longer afford to view someone with Down's syndrome solely through the lens of trisomy 21," noted Fabian Fernandez and Jamie Edgin of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Arizona in a commentary.
It is equally important to "understand each individual in light of their larger genetic and environmental background," as well as other health problems and access to education, they wrote in The Lancet Neurology.
5 reasons to ditch coffee for matcha green tea
- By Isabel van Brugen at Queen Mary (University of London)
We’ve all been there: dreaded late nights at the library cramming for deadlines, fuelled by countless cups of coffee. But did you know that drinking a cup of matcha green tea is proven to give a longer-lasting, more sustained energy boost than a cup of coffee? And now you know, could you bring yourself to ditch your coffee for a cup of matcha green tea instead?
- What is Matcha?
Matcha is a premium green tea leaf powder originating from the heart of Japan. It is used traditionally for tea, but is a versatile ingredient and can also be used in a wide range of recipes – both sweet and savoury.
Matcha green tea offers a far more extensive range of benefits than other green teas. Matcha drinkers ingest the entire leaf, as opposed to the 10% of nutrients absorbed into the water from widely available green tea bags – this means a single cup contains the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea, and 137 times more antioxidants.
This delicious and natural detox tool aids concentration and also acts as a mood enhancer. It boosts your metabolism and is packed full of nutrients, antioxidants, fibre and chlorophyll. By choosing to kick-start your day with a sugar and jitter-free anti-oxidant packed alternative to coffee, your body and well-being will reap the benefits
1. A Gentler Caffeine Kick
Although a typical shot of espresso provides 60mg of caffeine, matcha’s effect is more intense and lasts longer for a mere 34mg hit. Research suggests this is due to its high concentration of amino acid and L-Theanine. The rare amino acid L-Theanine found in matcha promotes a calm sense of alertness, which naturally aids your memory and concentration for prolonged periods of time. Plus given its lower caffeine level, matcha is not addictive.
In contrast, high levels of caffeine in coffee can cause a spike in adrenaline, which can lead to side-effects such as shaking and the dreaded caffeine ‘crash’.
Matcha could be the solution to this problem; the anti-oxidant rich concoction provides a gentle boost of energy for up to six hours, without the anxiety and edginess that often accompanies the high doses of caffeine found in regular coffee.
2. Better skin and breath
Matcha’s antibacterial properties are excellent for the skin and help to clear up acne. The fine powder has been used for hundreds of years for this reason and is a key ingredient in many facemasks. Matcha’s formula gives the skin a natural, youthful glow.
Just as with the skin, matcha’s wondrous antibacterial properties prevent the accumulation of plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth.
3. Matcha tea is full of antioxidants
Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. According to research, matcha is gram-for-gram one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature. The miraculous powder is packed with higher levels of antioxidants per gram than goji berries, dark chocolate, pecans, acai berries and even spinach. Matcha has been linked to numerous health advancements and to the treatment of many illnesses, including cancer.
4. Matcha burns calories
Matcha is a great addition to a weight loss program and has been shown to increase metabolism by approximately 40%, while promoting the regulation of blood sugar levels with no recorded negative side-effects.
5. Matcha is simple to make and tastes heavenly
Simply scoop 1-2 tsp of matcha powder into a bowl, boil 70ml of water and pour into the bowl when the temperature has cooled slightly (to avoid a bitter aftertaste, do not use boiling water). Whisk the powder and water together until the mixture becomes frothy, and enjoy!
You could also jazz things up and mix a teaspoon in your smoothies or morning porridge, for a healthy start to the day.
In any case, try this miracle elixir as a pick-me-up or anytime you need some help remaining focused.
Green Tea Croissant Invades Sydney
- By Kalyan Kumar
Croissant as snacks is fine. But when it is elevated to a great healthcare food, it is something to sit and notice. That is what Top Impressions Bakery of Sydney is doing.
It is making a unique Matcha croissant by infusing the hot dough with green tea after splashing Matcha Creme Patisserie into the centre, reports Business Insider. It is selling well in the city.
They know green tea has more takers as it is the healthiest beverage, loaded with antioxidants and nutrients. Its consumption improves brain function, fat loss as well as lowered risk of cancer.
Green tea contains lots of antioxidant Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) making it resistant to various diseases. Many bioactive compounds and important nutrients are its additional virtues. Polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins are powerful antioxidants that reduce the formation of free radicals in the body and save cells from damage, reports Authority Nutrition.
Basically, croissants owe their origin to France and emerged as a response to American-style fast food. It is very popular in all continental breakfast. The buttery, flaky, crescent shape croissant is made of layered yeast that is folded several times. On laminating, the texture turns flaky as in a puff pastry.
The Australian innovation to croissant also extends to Melbourne. In fact, The New York Times Magazine had an entire article praising the “ethereal, exceptionally flaky pastries” of a small bakery in Melbourne.
Lune Croissanterie is in the suburb of Fitzroy where its croissant maker claims to be using the best quality flour and butter besides handcrafting them in a climate-controlled glass box.
The article introduces Kate Reid, the bakery’s founder, who is a trained aerospace engineer. The article compliments her engineering touch as unmistakable in the “world’s best croissant.”
The Melbourne bakery produces 3,000 croissants a day and sale is restricted from Thursday to Sunday. The sister and brother team of Reid and her brother Cameron also make kouign-amanns and muffins that are filled with lemon curd and jelly.
10 Healthy Benefits of Green Tea you Didn’t Know
- By Nila Choudhury
Green tea is more than just a trendy way to lose weight—check out all the benefits of this tea!
As of late, drinking green tea has become a trend to help you “lose weight”—but does it really help?
Green tea is a lot healthier than drinking soda or sugar filled juices. If you replace these unhealthy drinks in your day with green tea, you are bound to lose weight—but it’s not like you’re going to suddenly melt away pounds of fat just because of the tea. Although some studies have shown that green tea can boost your metabolism, energy levels and oxidation of fat, the studies are inconsistent about how much green tea actually helps you lose weight.
So maybe chugging gallons of Starbuck’s green tea lemonades won’t help you get that swimsuit-ready body, but there are many other benefits to drinking green tea you may not know!
1. De-stress
Teas are known to help you relax and green tea is one of the best ones to sip on as you take a moment to yourself. Green tea has a natural chemical called theanine which can provide a calming effect. So brew yourself a cup of green tea with a dash of honey (throw in a bit of ginger for that extra zing), and wash away your stress of the day!
2. It’s heart healthy
A review of studies on green tea has shown that it helps to prevent a range of heart-related issues, from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure! Some scientists believe green tea works by keeping the lining of the blood vessels relaxed so it can handle blood pressure alterations efficiently. In addition to reducing blood pressure, there is also some evidence that the tea can protect against the formation of clots—the primary causes of heart attacks.
3. Got cholesterol?
Green tea has been proven to reduce the bad cholesterol in your body while increasing the good cholesterol. The powerful antioxidant in green tea—Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)—may inhibit absorption of cholesterol from the large intestine, which prevents an increase in bad cholesterol from greasy, unhealthy snacks and drinks. Research suggests that drinking at least five cups of green tea a day will help in reducing bad cholesterol.
4. It can make you smarter
Of course, what is good for your heart is usually beneficial to the brain as well because you need healthy blood vessels in the brain. One Swiss study even revealed that people who drank green tea had more active working memory (short term memory). There are certain compounds in tea, like caffeine, that are stimulants which can improve brain functioning without the ‘jittery’ effects of caffeine-filled drinks such as coffee.
5. Lowers risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
It seems that green tea may be able to block the formation of certain plaques that are related to Alzheimer’s disease. Some research has shown that this magical tea can delay the deterioration caused by both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. There is even evidence that it can help against dementia as well. Studies carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells.
6. Reduce the risk of cancer?
Green tea is thought to kill cancer cells without damaging other cells, and has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers such as esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and even oral cancer. The EGCG in the tea is the powerful antioxidant that can kill cancer cells by destroying the cell’s mitochondria, which slowly leads the cancer cells to die. Some say it could even become a possible alternative to chemotherapy!
7. Improve oral health
Although many people avoid tea due to the staining effect on teeth, green tea actually helps your oral health! A 2009 study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that the more green tea one drank, the lower the risk of periodontal disease. The catechin in tea helps reduce inflammation in the body, controls bacteria that can cause dental conditions like throat infections, and lowers the acidity of saliva and dental plaque—which prevents cavities.
8. Improves vision
How does green tea help your vision? More antioxidants and catechins! Green tea can penetrate the tissue of eyes to produce and absorb antioxidants. A 2001 study published in the journal Experimental Eye Research found green tea can actually prevent cataract-induced blindness.
9. Protects your skin
Apparently, green tea can also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, thanks to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Multiple studies have proven that applying green tea topically even reduced sun damage.
10. Manage Diabetes
Studies have shown that green tea also assists in stabilizing blood sugar in people with diabetes. Green tea regulates the glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating which can prevent insulin spikes and the resulting fat storage.
7 secrets to better green tea
- By Chanie Kirschner
Get the most out your cup of tea with these easy preparation tips.
Green tea is chock full of health benefits. Green tea contains antioxidants and nutrients that can decrease your risk of cancer, help you lose weight and help prevent dementia. But how do you know you're getting the most out of that cup of tea? Many people don't realize there are ways to maximize the positive effects of green tea, and make it taste better at the same time.
1. Use water that's the right temperature. Water that is at a rolling boil is usually too hot for making green tea. If the water temperature is too hot, the tea will taste bitter and astringent. If the water is too cold, the full flavor will not be extracted out of the leaves. Water that is between 160 and 180 degrees is best. When you're boiling water, this is when the water is hot and there are bubbles beginning to form on the bottom of the pot, but not on top. Some tea brewers recommend heating the water until there's a steady stream of steam rising from the pot. Alternatively, you could boil the water completely and then let it cool for a few minutes.
2. Steep for just the right amount of time. Because green tea is so delicate, it’s important to steep for 2-3 minutes. Less time will prevent the tea leaves from releasing their full flavor while more time will garner a bitter taste. Brew for 2 minutes and then taste every 30 seconds thereafter until you get a taste that you like. A study published in the Journal of Food Science found that antioxidant activity is significantly affected by time and temperature of steeping. The best outcome for green tea, according to the researchers? Cold steeping.
3. Add a splash of honey or other sweetener. On its own, green tea can have a somewhat "grassy" taste. Some people are addicted to the flavor and others just can't get into it. If you fall in the latter category, adding a bit of honey will help to make the taste more palatable.
4. Use high quality tea leaves. Fresher tea leaves (i.e., ones that come loose as opposed to in tea bags) will generally produce a better flavor because the tea leaves have room to "breathe." The flavor is richer and more authentic than tea that comes prepackaged in tea bags.
5. Use the right amount of tea. Generally, a good ratio is 2 grams of tea leaves to 6 ounces of water but you may want to tweak the ratios a bit depending on your taste. More tea leaves per ounce will produce a more distinct taste.
6. Add mint or lemon juice. Either one of these can help subtly bring out the flavor of your green. Try each one separately or try them both together. Sometimes, a little mint or lemon is all your tea needs to bring out delicious flavor.
7. Be sure to use quality water for brewing. Water with too many minerals can sometime counteract the natural minerals found in the tea leaves and produce a pungent taste. Purified or spring water is best since they are free from pollutants than can alter the tea's taste.
Now that you know how to properly make green tea, you can experiment with different types to see which you like best. Indulge yourself with a nice tea cup, sit back and enjoy your fresh brew!
Green tea helps you fight arthritis
- (The Indian Panorama, PTI)
Here’s to green tea once again. A compound found in green tea may help combat joint pain, inflammation and tissue damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis, researchers, including those from India, have claimed.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that mostly affects the small joints of the hands and feet. It causes painful swelling that progresses into cartilage damage, bone erosion and joint deformity.
“Existing drugs for rheumatoid arthritis are expensive, immunosuppressive and sometimes unsuitable for long-term use,” said Salahuddin Ahmed,lead researcher on the project from Washington State University (WSU) in Spokane.
His team evaluated a phytochemical called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties found in green tea.
The study suggests that EGCG has high potential as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis because of how effectively the molecule blocks the effects of the disease without blocking other cellular functions. “This study has opened the field of research into using EGCG for targeting TAK1 — an important signalling protein — through which proinflammatory cytokines transmit their signals to cause inflammation and tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis,” said Ahmed.
The researchers, including Anil Singh and Sadiq Umar from WSU, confirmed their findings in a pre-clinical animal model of human rheumatoid arthritis, where they observed that ankle swelling in animals given EGCG in a 10-day treatment plan was markedly reduced.
Switch to Green Tea to Fight Cancer and Other Lifestyle Disorders
- (Guest Author, Life Hacker)
The elixir of life- 'green tea' will help you stay evergreen and healthy. With its antioxidants and cancer-fighting properties, this is the beverage you might want to drink every day.
The ever so humble green tea, which comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant, hides so many little secrets. These are the secrets that nurture human health and prevent illnesses. It tastes great, offers respite from tension and stress while working with the rhythm of your body to make you healthier and happier.
But why Green Tea?
When there are so many other teas available in the market, why should you buy green tea?
Well, because Green Tea is healthier than other varieties of tea. It doesn't oxidize as much as its black or oolong tea counterparts do. And that's why the tea has more antioxidants called 'catechins'. These antioxidants include cancer-fighting properties. The chestnut, toasty flavors of the Green Tea instantly revitalize and bring an end to the everyday stresses. Plus, it nurtures other healthy secrets, which has the potential to keep you evergreen. So, what are these secrets?
Well, read on!
- Blocks LDL Cholesterol
You know there's a good cholesterol (HDL) and a bad cholesterol (LDL), right? Well, you should know that green tea can block the bad or LDL Cholesterol. It can prevent oxidation of this kind of cholesterol, which can improve your artery function. People who consume Green Tea regularly show 45-65% reduction in hypertension risk than people who don't consume it.
- Fights Diseases
In general, it is a disease-fighter. Green Tea has catechins that are powerful than Vitamin C and Vitamin E. therefore, they can reduce oxidative damage to the cells and provide disease fighting benefits. Consuming green tea can therefore reduce risk of developing different types of cancer. But that's not all! Regular consumption helps you stay evergreen or fit throughout the life.
- Protects Your Brain
EGCG is a polyphenol found in green tea. Recent studies indicate that this chemical can guard the brain against neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's. It has a stimulating effect on the brain, but unlike caffeine, it doesn't make you jittery. Instead, drinking it will help you experience improved mood, memory and a faster reaction time.
- Prevents Diabetes
Type II diabetes is spreading like an epidemic. But with effective lifestyle changes and consumption of green tea, you can reduce the risk of developing this condition. Go ahead and buy green tea online , drink it regularly and you will notice that the consumption of the tea reduces spikes in blood sugar.
- It helps you reduce weight
Okay! We agree that this 'secret' is already out in the open. But it does deserve a mention. When you buy green tea, you get a product that can increase your metabolism. This can help you reduce weight. Of course, you can't expect to lose weight if you keep on stuffing junk food and drinking green tea. But with the consumption of green tea, some exercise and change in diet, you can see good results in a short span of time.
Green Tea May Help Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
- By Ashley Boynes-Shuck
For decades, green tea has been widely accepted as a “super food.” Now, researchers are finding that patients with RA may benefit from drinking green tea on a regular basis.
An apple a day may keep the doctor away — but a cup of green tea won’t hurt, either.
A new study appearing in the medical journal, Arthritis and Rheumatology, shows that a compound found in green tea may hold promise in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease management.
Herbal teas have been in use to treat various ailments for literally thousands of years, with estimates of its medicinal use since before the beginning of recorded history. green tea and RA
Green tea has been touted by health coaches, nutritionists, doctors, and dietitians for decades. The drink is particularly known for anti-oxidant properties.
Now, green tea is being heralded as way to reduce inflammation in the body as well. In fact, the recent study concludes the drink has potentially as a regularly prescribed treatment for patients with RA, although so far it has only been tested on mice.
Read More: Stem Cell Therapy a Possible Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis » Honing in on One Compound
The study, conducted by a team of researchers at Washington State University (WSU), focused on one particular compound found in herbal green tea.
Called epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG, the compound appeared to reduce ankle swelling in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis.
This finding could be a potential source of hope for the nearly 1.7 million Americans who have RA. They currently are treated by NSAIDs, disease-modifying drugs, immunosuppressants, chemotherapy, biologics, biosimilars, corticosteroids, opioids, and narcotics. These treatments can be beneficial but may also carry certain risks.
While physical therapy and alternative practices such as chiropractic, massage, reiki, and acupuncture are also suggested to patients, rheumatology is just starting to recognize the important role that diet and nutrition play in the management of inflammatory autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.
The Arthritis Foundation stated in an article that a cup of tea can be good for overall health and that polyphenols help tea boost the immune system and fight inflammation.
“Our findings provide a rationale for targeting TAK1 for the treatment of RA with EGCG,” said Salah-uddin Ahmed, Ph.D., of the WSU College of Pharmacy and the study’s lead author.
He noted that other RA treatments may be effective but can also damage the immune system in the long run. Green tea, and in particularly this green tea compound, may be a promising alternative to expensive and potentially harmful RA treatments.
Read More: RA Patients Bear Heavy Cost Burden for Biologic Drugs » Quick, Effective Relief
Their study showed that, after 10 days of receiving ECGG, the mice with mouse models of RA, had a noticeable and significant reduction in their initial ankle swelling and inflammation.
The team of researchers figured out that EGCG reduced the activity of TAK1, a protein that plays a primary role in the response of cytokines that trigger inflammation and the resulting tissue damage in RA.
Perhaps just as notably, the green tea compound EGCG appeared to reduce inflammation in RA without interfering with other cellular functions in the mice.
Another study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2012, showed other positive results for the consumption of green tea in moderation. This one was in regard to various functional disabilities that come along with aging.
Researchers from Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan found that regular green tea drinkers carried a lower risk of developing functional disability, such as problems with daily tasks, household chores, and regular activities like bathing or dressing oneself.
Read More: Oral Contraceptives May Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms » What Do Experts and Patients Think?
Lindsey Smith of Pennsylvania, an alumna of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as well as a health coach, author, and speaker says green tea has a variety of health benefits.
“Green tea contains powerful antioxidants, known as polyphenols, which help boost your body’s immune system, and can fight off infection,” she said. “This is good news for people that suffer from RA or other autoimmune diseases because your body will be better equipped to fight off infections and reduce overall inflammation in the body.”
Patients are mostly on board with the notion of trying green tea.
RA patient Debbie McGuire Djukic of the United Kingdom, said, “I think green tea is magical for just the relaxation benefits, if nothing else, and it has turned me onto trying a lot of other tea also. I have also gone gluten free and feel so much better to really cook healthy meals now.”
Hilary Martin of Ohio added that drinking green tea motivates her to eat better.
“When I've drank green tea every day for longer than a few weeks, I've felt better, but usually that's when I'm also eating better too, so it's hard to say,” she said, “but I know that it's definitely made me feel good drinking tea versus soda or juice.”
But Julie Robbins of Illinois is slightly more skeptical.
“I have not had any help with my RA by any dietary changes, including green tea,” she said. “Of course, the best possible thing we can do is be as healthfully as possible. That is especially important since we have our risk factors increased for cardiac issues, simply by even having a RA diagnosis.”
Whether you believe or not that green tea may in any way contribute to the future of rheumatoid arthritis treatment and management, it’s probably safe to say that adding it into your healthy diet certainly couldn’t hurt.
Doctor’s Orders: Drink Three Cups of Green Tea Today
- By David B. Samadi
Health benefits include improved brain function, increased energy, decreased risk of cancer, and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s
There may be no liquid more beneficial to your health than green tea. It is loaded with antioxidants, such as flavonoids and catechins which scavenge for free radicals that can damage DNA and contribute to cancer and atherosclerosis. Antioxidants prevent cancer associated cells from attacking healthy cells and can decrease the risk of the disease. It can also helps lower cholesterol, increase concentration and memory.
Green tea increases fat burning and boosts metabolism. Previous studies have shown that drinking four cups of green tea a day have helped people lose more than six pounds over the course of two months. Other health benefits of green tea include improved brain function, increased energy, decreased risk of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, lowered risk for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, and improved dental health, as it kills bacteria. This list goes on. Green tea may lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes, may reduce the chances for heart disease and lowers your risk for obesity.
One specific catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is unique to green tea and is abundant as a result of the minimal processing through which green tea goes. Lab studies have shown that EGCG and a few other catechins can be more powerful than vitamins C and E in stopping oxidative damage to cells in addition to potentially having the ability to fight other diseases. Furthermore, it is thought that EGCG plays an important role in inhibiting DNA synthesis and cell replication, both imperative for the survival of cancer cells.
Please remember that green tea is not a panacea; there is no substitute for a healthy diet, physical activity and adequate monitoring of health conditions. To reap the most benefits of green tea (as measured by maximum catechin levels), be sure to let it steep for three to five minutes. Aim to drink about three cups of tea a day.
Also, keep in mind that freshly brewed tea confers the most benefits; bottled, instant or decaffeinated tea does not contain near the amount of catechins as fresh brewed tea. Green tea has been shown to impair iron absorption, especially from fruit and vegetable sources; however, adding lemon or milk to tea or drinking tea between, rather than with, meals will help counteract this problem. As always, check with your physician before making any changes to your diet.
Peppers and green tea can suppress your appetite
- By Nicole Osinga (Special to the Star)
Consuming too few calories at breakfast can lead to unhealthy mid-morning snacking
I usually have one slice of whole wheat bread, one egg (fried, scrambled or omelette) and a cup of black tea for breakfast. The problem is that it doesn't keep me satiated for long and I crave tea to fill up. Can you suggest some healthy options that are filling but low on calories? I’m trying to lose weight.
I’m not surprised to hear that your current breakfast doesn’t keep you satisfied for long — I would consider this a snack not a meal. I understand your goal of weight loss and trying to minimize your caloric intake, however, restricting your calories too much may actually harm your metabolism. When calories are restricted, the body slows down to compensate for this lack of energy. This leaves a lethargic and deprived feeling. Counting calories can also harm our relationship with food.
Let’s slightly increase the amount of food you consume at breakfast and add two foods that may help control appetite cravings — peppers and green tea. Although it’s unclear if these foods cause a long-term increase in metabolism (temporary increases in metabolic rate have been observed in studies) they have demonstrated the ability to suppress appetite. Let’s change your egg, toast and black tea breakfast to a Mexican-style breakfast wrap with peppers and green tea.
Nutritional facts
Your original breakfast contains 180 calories, 8 grams of fat, 11 grams of protein and 16 grams of carbohydrates.
Your new breakfast contains 387 calories, 21 grams of fat, 19 grams of protein and 32 grams of carbohydrates.
Mexican-style breakfast wrap
2 large eggs
2 tbsp (30 mL) non-fat milk
1 tsp (5 mL) olive oil
1/4 cup (60 mL) onion, diced
1/4 cup (60 mL) of red pepper, diced
1/2 cup (125 mL) button mushrooms, diced
2 tbsp (30 mL) medium salsa
1 medium soft whole wheat flour tortilla
In a small bowl, crack eggs, add milk and scramble with a whisk. Set aside.
In a small, non-stick skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add mushrooms, onions and peppers. Cook until soft and tender, about 5 minutes.
Pour egg mixture over cooked vegetables. Let cook until solid enough to flip over whole. Cook until mixture is starting to brown. Remove from heat.
Place tortilla on serving plate and spread 2 tbsp (30 mL) salsa over tortilla. Top with cooked eggs and vegetables. Wrap it up.
Makes 1 serving.
Green and black tea — the wonder remedy for sun damaged skin!
- By Anuradha Varanasi
Tired of dealing with premature skin ageing and sun tan caused by prolonged sun exposure? Green and black tea can help!
It is impossible to avoid the sun, especially during the afternoon when UVA and UVB rays are extremely harsh on the skin. It’s also a known fact that this prolonged sun exposure can cause pigmentation, premature ageing as it reduces the skin’s elasticity, and in rare cases, even skin cancer. While most of us invest in a good sunscreen to provide some form of protection, it is a good idea to combine the topical application of green tea as well as black tea with your regular sunscreens as their polyphenols have an additive photo-protective effect or mechanism to cope with skin molecular damage caused by the harsh sunlight.
While green tea has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, researchers have found that the main active ingredient in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), works well as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and most importantly, as a natural sunscreen. Topical green tea applied to human skin provides a photo-protective effect, reduces the number of sunburns cells, and protects the layers of skin cells from UV damage to an extent. Along with this, both of these teas may also reduce the DNA damage that forms after UV radiation. DNA damage caused by UV rays has directly been linked to skin cancers. Studies have also revealed that green tea can decrease melanoma cell formation with topical and oral administration in mice.
Green tea also has anti-ageing effects as it decreases skin inflammation and the amount of free radical scavengers or a compound that inhibits oxidation in the skin layers. One way of reaping these benefits of green and black tea, is to have two cups of each everyday. Also, before heading out and applying your regular sunscreen, you could brew both two tea bags each and mix them together in an empty spray bottle. Spray this on your face, neck, arms and other exposed areas. Once it has dried, apply your sunscreen as usual.
You will notice that any kind of skin inflammation or sun burn or tanning caused by prolonged sun exposure will start subsiding after a week or so.
Green Tea Photo Gallery
small cup of green tea
Green tea leaves steeping in a gaiwan
Rows of Green Tea in a Plantation
Green Tea Cup
