Tag: green tea

  • Universal Truths in Nutrition That People Actually Agree On

    Universal Truths in Nutrition That People Actually Agree On

    There are lots of controversies on the facts about the nutrition. People generally believe in what they hear without authenticating the source and consider the facts as truths. It is a common human tendency and happens with almost everyone. You hear the views of the elders or some learned person and try to follow them without making any efforts to make sure that the facts mentioned are correct or not. We are hereby talking about those universal nutrition truths which people generally believe is correct and try to find out if they are correct or just myths.

    1

    Added Sugar is Unhealthy: Well, if you are believer of this fact that added sugar is unhealthy, then you are correct. The addition of sugar gives rise to the blood sugar level, which affects the normal functioning of the human body. The added sugars are in fact sucrose or fructose corn syrup which is very much harmful for the human body. Not only they have empty calories in them, they are also the source of various harmful metabolic toxins which causes serious harm to your health. Many researchers believe that the added sugar is the prime reason for the spread of the western diseases among the people.

    2

    The Artificial Trans Fats are Unhealthy: There are lots of controversies about the artificial Trans fats. While some people believe that the Trans Fats are healthy, a major section of the people believes that they are not good for the human body and their consumption is like inviting the diseases to attack you. Trans Fats are actually unsaturated fats, which are created by altering the saturated fats chemically. In the process of manufacturing of the unsaturated fats, the saturated fats are exposed to the high pressure and high heat in the presence of the hydrogen gas acting as a catalyst. Because of the hydrogenation of the fats the LDL cholesterol level, which is bad for the human body increases while the HDL cholesterol which is good decreases. The highly processed foods are the ones which have the artificial Trans fats. So it is a wise step to avoid these artificial Trans fats.

    3

    Green Tea is one of the Healthy Beverages: Most of the people have this mindset that the coffee consumption is not at all good for the human body as it contains caffeine but on the other hand the consumption of the green tea is healthy. While there is a controversy on the consumption of the coffee, the intake of the green tea is actually very much beneficial for health. Green tea is a rich source of the antioxidants and the EGCG, which is a bioactive compound. If you regularly drink green tea, then there are strongly protected against the chronic heart diseases and cancer. Green tea not only boosts the metabolic processes in the body, but also helps in burning the fats. Moreover, they also have specific amino acids which play a major role in maintaining the proper functioning of the brain. So it’s time you start drinking it as it will help you to stay fit and healthy.

    4

    Olive Oil is Healthy: Most of the people consider olive oil as healthy and this is absolutely correct. They are very much beneficial in maintaining good health. Olive oil is actually one of the gifts of the Mediterranean diet and is used in almost every corner of the world. The most tedious task in today’s time is getting the right kind of olive oil from the market as there are so many adulterated olive oils being sold throughout the world. Olive oils offer several advantages. They have a large amount of monounsaturated fats and powerful antioxidants, which gives the much desired boost to the metabolic health. Further, the presence of the anti-inflammatory compounds in the olive oil makes it very much beneficial for the heart. If you can get the quality olive oil then it will be optimal as they have the healthy fats in them.

    5

    Supplements Cannot Be Used to Compensate the Unhealthy Diets: It is extremely important for you to choose and eat the right food items as they have a direct impact on your health. Any negligence in this regard is not accepted and it can be dangerous for you. The composition of the whole food is very much complex. They have so much of vitamins, proteins and other essential minerals in them. Quite frankly, we are not at all aware of the total compositions of most of the food items and so the supplements cannot be used to compensate for the real healthy foods. Science has progressed a lot but still we do not have the supplements for the traces of unaccounted minerals found in the real food items. So it lies in your hand to select the food best suited for your health. If you believe that you can eat anything, even if it is unhealthy and not fit for your body and in order to compensate for the essential nutrients you will eat supplements, then you are wrong and you need to change your attitude quickly before it affects your health.

  • Foods which are best for skin

    Foods which are best for skin

    The nutritious and healthy food is all that you want to have a perfect and blushing skin. Not only it protects the inner body but also shields from the outside.  The better and more nutritious food stuff we take in results in more beautiful and vibrant skin. Now a day’s people spend a lot amount of money in buying skin products, but the results out of them are not found to be satisfactory. We can protect our skin by proper exercising, sleeping for adequate amount, avoiding damage from the sun and most importantly by eating healthy and nourishing food items.  The right kinds of food items can certainly shield the skin from the effect of environment, location and time. People have become less concerned of what they eat and hence they end up buying expensive cosmetics for their skin. Taking all the necessary nutrients in your diet definitely results in glowing, healthy looking skin. So if you really want the radiant and shining skin then you have to make sure the food items you take in.

    pinklips4

    Drink a lot:  In order to make your skin more flexible, drink a lot to provide it with moisture. Deficiency in the amount of moisture can lead to dry, dull and drained skin. It has been found out that it is necessary to drink around 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. If you are working or move out of your house, make it a habit to carry a bottle of water along with you. Consuming alcohol is damaging for the skin, so avoid extreme amount of it. Teas which do not contain caffeine are also good for the skin.

    Raw-Almonds

    Almonds: Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and because of that it helps in protecting the skin from the damage of the sun. It has been found out that the people who ingest about 20 almonds a day are more resistant from the exposure to the sun as compared to the people who do not consume almonds. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and hence it is quite beneficial for the skin.  So don’t forget to eat almonds every day to have a beautiful and vibrant skin.

    food-skin-health

    Fruits and Vegetables: Effective and necessary antioxidants are present in fruits and vegetables that provides shield to the skin from the cellular ravage that is triggered by the free radicals. These free radicals can lead to wrinkles and age marks on the skin. They are produced by contamination, effluence, smoking as well as sunlight.  Proper amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet are very important for healthy and fit skin. Try to include papaya, spinach, pumpkin and sweet potatoes in your diet as they rich in all the necessary nutrients which the skin wants.

    7

    Green Tea: Green tea has many benefits like it provides relaxing and soothing effect. Apart from that it contains antioxidants that fight with tenderness, swelling and inflammation. It is also studied that the consumption of green tea may diminish the danger of skin cancer as well. Because of the high amount of antioxidant present in the green tea, it helps in reducing the redness. So it is advised to consume 1 cup of green day every single day.

    Foods-For-Healthy-Skin

    Guava, Orange, papaya:  Vitamin C is considered as an excellent antioxidant. It is very essential for us and provides us with many benefits like it plays a vital role for the robust immune system. It makes the skin glowing, shining and healthy looking. It helps in the healing of the blemishes and the marks. There is wide range of vitamin c rich food items that you can consume. Some of the finest sources include guava, orange, papaya, kiwi and many more.  Hence, make your skin looks vibrant and lively as a result of vitamin c rich food stuff.

    chocolat

    Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate proves to be very valuable for the skin. The antioxidant present in the dark chocolate is ‘flavonols’ that helps in reducing the coarseness in the skin. It also provides protection from the sun. It acts as a sun blocker. The skin becomes more flexible and agile as the cocoa provides moisture to the skin. A little amount of it every day certainly improves the glow and shine on the skin. The person who consumes it has an advance texture of the skin and he or she is more resistant to the sun rays.

    Walnuts

    Walnuts: Omega -3 fatty acids are very important for us as it helps in improving the flexibility and agility of the skin. Walnut is very rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.  Apart from that walnut also contains copper, which is a useful mineral that increase the creation of collagen. So in order to get a better skin texture and to make the skin more refreshing eat walnuts every single day.

    best-foods-for-your-skin

    We all have various creams as well as skin treatments but the skin becomes more beautiful with the intake of nourishing and healthy food products. It is essential that we include the desirable nutrients in our everyday diet to make the skin radiant and fabulous. So make sure that you consume the vital nutrients every single day.

  • Different Varieties of Tea

    Different Varieties of Tea

    Tea is a form of drink that is enjoyed by people in so many countries. Its popularity has been increased a lot in these years. People love to have a few sips of this amazing drink when they are tired and want to have some freshness. There are many different kinds of tea available in the market like Black Tea, Red Tea, Green Tea and many more. Even though they offer different benefits and have different features they all are originated from the similar plant-‘Camellia sinensis’. It has been found out that tea also provides so many benefits to the health and keeps the body fit and fine.  Among the various kinds of tea that we have, some are listed below along with their features and advantages.

     

    Green Tea:

    green-tea

    This particular kind of tea is quite prevalent in the regions of Asia and is enjoyed by the people a lot. China and Japan are the chief producers of green tea. It comes in the marketplace with so many essences and tastes. It includes various vitamins beneficial for the health. It’s a sweet smelling and delightful beverage that is relished by the people from all over the world. It is very helpful in burning fat, reducing the danger of strokes and neurological sickness and improving the level of cholesterol. So green tea is a good blend of taste and health benefits. Further if you want to lose weight this is the tea which you need to start drinking.

     

    Black Tea:

    Black-Tea

    It has been widespread in the marketplaces of Europe and US. ‘Chai’- a very much liked drink all over the world is made from black tea. In India Darjeeling and Assam are the biggest producers of black tea. It is gaining popularity and love for its deep and intense flavors. From children to adults, it is appreciated and liked by all. The greatest amount of caffeine is found out in black tea. It is too beneficial for reducing the amount of strokes and offers a great amount of protection to the lungs too.

     

    White Tea:

    white-tea

    As the name suggests it is the cleanest type of tea, it is the purest of all the kinds. It is processed in a slightest amount as compared to other kinds of tea and this kind of tea is produced in the rarest amount. The drinks formed from white tea possess a bright color and taste. It has become so prevalent and common recently. It is quite similar to green tea except its light color and flowery taste. The sprouts of the plants are included in the white tea which gives a way to floral taste. It possesses strong and powerful anticancer characteristics. Antioxidant as well as detoxifying advantages is delivered by white tea.

     

    Oolong Tea:

    Oolong tea

    It is quite popular among the people as the Chinese drink as it basically comes from China. It is dissimilar from the others of its kind. It has very intense and powerful flavor in addition with sugary and sweet smelling fragrance. Oolong tea is a kind of semi fermented tea. It is extensively utilized by the in people as it offers great amount of digestive advantages. It is moreover famous as ‘Wu long’ tea with deep essence and delightful smell. It is also considered as a supplement for the loss in the weight.

     

    Red tea:

    red_tea

    It is another tea which comes with purity as the additives are not included in it. It is known for its clean and genuine form with no preservatives.  The amount of caffeine is quite low in it. This drink is quite suitable for the people having hectic and occupied routine life. All over the day, it can be consumed numerous times. It acts as eminent drink to quench the thirst. Apart from using it in the various drinks it is also utilized in baking as well as cooking. This tea has a gentle and relaxing effect and is sweeter as compared to usual tea.

     

    Herbal Tea:

    herbal tea

    It is also known as ‘tisane’ and it usually does not include any caffeine in it. Apart from using it as a drink it is also utilized for various medical advantages offered by it. It is an easy and efficient tea that is available to the people at a very low cost.  It is very enjoyable and pleasurable in flavor and provides so many advantages of the herbs.  Similar to other drinks, it can be served up as hot and cold both.  So it is a very pleasant beverage to enjoy along with its medicinal advantages. Herbal tea is highly preferred in most parts of the world.

    So as you can see there are so many kinds of tea which are available now days. Every tea has its own advantages and flavors. Drinking tea is the part of the daily routine and it leaves behind a very soothing and relaxing effect which is required in such as busy routine. In the market you are provided with a great deal of different kinds of tea. So you certainly have many options to select from and enjoy the benefits of that particular type of tea.

  • Green Tea: The Elixir!

    Green Tea: The Elixir!

    natural-remedies-for-acne-green-tea

    Do you drink green tea? Yes, I know everyone has heard about the potential benefits of this beverage. After all, it has become all the new way of getting refreshed replacing the traditional caffeine containing tea or coffee. Well, I’m an avid green tea drinker and my family has also become a fan of green tea. And I can definitely claim the benefits of this super awesome tea. By the time, I have developed the taste for green tea and now I really like it. If you have been ignoring this bliss drink for the issue of taste, you’re being silly! Trust me, you will start liking it automatically as soon as you realize the health benefits of green tea and that refreshing feeling you experience after its consumption. It is like an inside bath of body as it flush out the toxins and makes you feel light and nice. The reason to drink green tea may be anything but yes, you should drink it everyday for maximum benefits. Just two glasses of green tea are so much more than this caffeine drinks or carbonated drinks. To satisfy your sweet tooth, one can add honey to it, which can reap other benefits too.

    Woman-Drinking-Green-Tea
    Why Green Tea?
    Green Tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation while processing and avoids fermentation process, which is the reason that green tea retains maximum amounts of antioxidants and poly-phenols that gives green tea, its many benefits. Green Tea has originated in China, but it has now become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. It has been used as a medicine for thousand of years and has multiple uses ranging from lowering blood pressure to fighting cancer.
    While looking deeper into the advantages of green tea, I have enlisted some of the super awesome and amazing benefits of green tea, if you’re not aware of. So, go through them and surprise yourself.

    Improves Dental Health and prevents tooth decay: It has been proved by various studies that chemical antioxidant “ catechin” in tea may inhibit the growth of bacteria and virus, which in turn lowers the risk of infection. It leads to improvement in dental health, reduced bad breath and lowers the risk of dental caries.

    Lowers Blood Pressure: It can prove to be a perfect drink for people having problem of high blood pressure as regular consumption of green tea reduces the risk of high blood pressure.

    Combats Depression: As green tea has such a refreshing effect, it helps in curing depression. Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves which provides a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and can be great for tea drinkers.

    Lowers the risk of various types of Cancer: Green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants and cancer develops due to oxidative damage and uncontrolled growth of cells. Green tea is thought to kill cancer cells without damaging the healthy tissue around them. Many observational studies have found that green tea drinkers are significantly less likely to develop various types of cancer as they have powerful antioxidants that may protect against cancer.

    Helps in losing weight and prevents obesity: Some studies show that green tea leads to increased weight loss as it increases the metabolism. Green tea leads to decrease in body fat and is particularly effective in reducing abdominal fat. The poly-phenols in green tea boost levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which body converts food into calories.

    Reduces cholesterol: Consumption of green tea reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good and bad cholesterol. Thus, it lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    Lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s : Many studies have found that the “Catechin” compounds in green tea have various protective effects on neurons in animal models, potentially lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Green tea is said to delay the decay of cells caused by these diseases.

    Lowers the risk of Diabetes: Green tea apparently helps insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. It helps regulate glucose levels and prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage. It may also lower the risk of developing type II diabetes in the long run.

    Excellent for Skincare: Green Tea is an excellent potion for skin and helps in maintaining soft supple skin. Drinking green tea can make your skin shine. It also helps with wrinkles and signs of ageing because it has anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory activities and is also rich in flavonoids. It also provides protection against sun damage.

    Well, If we consider how much is apt for a day. You can say just one cup is enough for some days, but if you’re feeling anxiety or tired or want to enjoy its extra-benefits, there is no limit to the cups. You can consume from 2 to 5 cups a day and feel the refreshment and energy. Green Tea is the most preferable drink on the planet. These loaded bags of antioxidants and nutrients are much sought after option for maintaining good body with overloaded health benefits. In order to feel better, lose weight and to reap other benefits, you should consider making it a regular part of life. It is truly an Elixir of life.

    Green-Tea
    Consume it, drink it. Everyday.

  • Bring Out the Teapots!

    Bring Out the Teapots!

    Every time I come home to Assam for the holidays, I notice just how much the Assamese people love their tea. It is that first warm sip in the morning that gets them going for the day – and not without reason. Regarded for thousands of years in the East as a key to good health, happiness, and wisdom, tea has finally caught the attention of researchers in the West, who are discovering the many health benefits of this potent elixir. But before you start chugging, making sure that your “tea” is actually tea. “Tea”, in layman’s language, is the name given to a number of brews. But “real” tea, according to experts, includes only four varieties – green, black, white, and oolong – all derived from Camellia sinensis, a shrub native to China and India. Anything else, like herbal “tea” for instance, is an infusion of a different plant and isn’t technically tea.

    Katherine Tallmadge, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, says, “There doesn’t seem to be a downside to tea. I think it’s a great alternative to coffee drinking. First, tea has less caffeine. It’s pretty well established that the compounds in tea – their flavonoids – are good for the heart and may reduce cancer.” Indeed, teas have been studied to be chock full of the powerful antioxidants called flavonoids, the most potent of which (known as ECGC) may help prevent cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries.

    Experts suggest that to maximise the benefits of tea and minimize the calorie and sugar content, it is best to brew your own rather than buy it bottled. Here are a few simple recipes to help you get started on that journey down tea lane.


    Green Ginger Tea

    Green tea

    Green tea is a wonderful beverage. But if you’re not familiar with a few basic techniques, you can wind up with a tea that’s grassy, bitter, or just too strong. Don’t worry, though – with patience and practice, you’ll perfect your own recipe. Here’s a simple one for you to try out.

    Ingredients:

    (Makes one cup)

    • 1 tsp. (or 5 g) green tea leaves
    • Ginger or dry ginger powder
    • 1 cup water

    Directions:

    • Place the green tea leaves and the ginger (or ginger powder) in a tea strainer or sieve.
    • Fill a non-reactive pot or pan (glass or stainless steel) with water. Heat it to about 180°F. You can either use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature or simply keep an eye on the water to make sure it doesn’t boil.
    • Place the filled tea strainer or sieve into an empty mug or cup.
    • Pour the heated water into the mug, over the tea leaves.
    • Steep the tea leaves for 2 – 3 minutes but not any longer, or else your tea will become slightly bitter.
    • Remove the tea strainer from the mug.
    • Let your tea cool down for a few moments and enjoy your perfect cup of green tea.

     Lemon Black Tea:

    Lemon Black tea

    Here’s a blend for those of you who love a lemony flavour. You will notice that unlike the almost overpowering sourness of the commercial lemon teas, this brew has a subtler, more restrained in its lemony taste. But it’s still got the tang!

    Ingredients:

    (Makes 1 cup)

    • 1 tsp. black tea leaves
    • ½ tsp. dried lemon peel
    • ½ tsp. coriander seed
    • 1 cup water

    Directions:

    • Heat water to about 180°F.
    • Add the black tea leaves, dried lemon peel, and coriander seeds.
    • Steep for about 10 minutes.
    • Strain out your tea; discard residue.
    • Let cool for a few moments before serving.

    White Tea

    white tea

    Containing up to three times as many antioxidants as green tea, this least-processed tea is arguably the healthiest of all teas. It has a mild and sweet flavor that is velvet-like in smoothness, and has none of the grass-like flavors some green teas can produce. The best white teas come in loose-leaf form. Like green tea, white tea is best brewed with pure water that is very hot, but not boiling. Follow the steps below to make sure your white tea retains all its fine qualities while brewing.

    Ingredients:

    (Makes 1 cup)

    • 2 tsp. white tea leaves
    • Pure water

    Directions:

    • Bring water to a boil and remove from heat.
    • Warm your spotlessly clean teacup with hot water. Pour away the water.
    • Add the white tea leaves
    • Fill the cup with pure water. Cover and steep tea for about 5 minutes. For stronger flavor, steep for a few minutes longer. Re-steep the leaves once or twice to extract all the nutrients.
    • Serve as it is, unadulterated. Pouring milk or sugar will drown out the already subtle flavour of the tea.

    Traditional Oolong Tea

    Oolong Tea

    Preparing Oolong tea correctly is an art. While the ritual can be very detailed and complicated, here is a simplified recipe for your daily cup.

    Ingredients:

    • Good quality oolong tea from a company you trust
    • Water Boiler
    • Teapot with a built-in strainer
    • Ceramic drinking cups

    Directions:

    • Bring water to rolling boil, then rinse and warm up the tea set.
    • Add oolong tea leaves to the teapot. Tea leaves take approximately 5 percent of space in the teapot.
    • Pour rolling boiled water (212°F) into the teapot.
    • Use the cover to push away the white floating bubbles.
    • Cover the teapot and steep for a couple of minutes. Pour the tea into the cups.
    • The last few drops are the richest in flavor. They should be carefully and evenly distributed across all cups.
    • This tea is as much enjoyed for its aroma as its taste. Remember to smell before you sip.

    Now that you have the recipes down, go brew yourself a cuppa. Sip your way to health!