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February 01, 2015

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9 Health Benefits of Green Tea

 

Published on , Last Updated on September 10, 2013

There is a good reason why many Asian societies have been drinking green tea for hundreds of years. Archeological records show that people have been steeping green tea leaves for over 5,000 years! Globally, tea ranks second only to water in overall beverage popularity.

 

Green tea has benefits beyond its ability to quench thirst, from its ability to possibly ward off cancer to its cardio-protective effects, decades of substantial research show that green tea may hold a variety of healing, health-boosting properties. Here are just a few of the many health benefits of green tea.

1. Cancer Relation

While not a stand-alone cure by any means, studies have shown green tea has the potential to fight many forms of cancer. One lab study done at the McGill University in Montreal found that the antioxidants in green tea could successfully shrink prostate tumors in mice. Another meta-analysis of data found that high green tea consumption could lower lung cancer risk by up to 18%.

Other studies done on Japanese populations found that increased green tea consumption could be correlated to lower recurrence of cancer relapse in women with breast cancer. Chinese studies have even shown a link between green tea consumption and lowered chances of stomach, pancreatic, esophageal, prostate and colorectal cancer. This is definitely an exciting to start for more research to come.

2. Heart Health

Potentially due to its ability to lower blood cholesterol, green tea has been shown to aid the body in its ability to burn off harmful forms of fat, preventing them from laying stagnant in the blood stream. Large-scale studies done on green tea have associated it with long term heart disease prevention. A Japanese trial found that drinking at least four cups of green tea daily could lower the severity of heart disease in men.

3. Antioxidant Booster

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants. These free-radical fighting substances increase the body’s ability to ward off disease and slow down the degenerative processes of aging. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins and polyphenols, forms of antioxidants known to stop the response associated with damaged DNA, high cholesterol and even cancer. These antioxidants act as dilators on our blood vessels, improving their elasticity and reducing the chance of clogging. What is more, green tea undergoes very little processing, allowing the natural antioxidants to remain intact and concentrated.

4. Liver Health

Clinical studies show that large amounts of green tea keep liver disorders at bay. Animal studies show that green tea protects the liver from the negative effects of toxic substances such as alcohol, and that green tea’s catechins are helpful in reducing liver redness. Green tea is just one of many foods the cleanse the liver.

5. Weight-Loss Aid and Metabolism Booster

Green tea extract has been shown to be effective in both the prevention and reduction of weight gain. One study found that green tea’s fat oxidation properties aided participants in weigh loss over a period of three months. A Japanese study found that participants using green tea extracts were most easily able to lose weight, lower blood pressure levels and get rid of harmful LDL cholesterol. Clinical studies suggest that green tea’s polyphenols create a fat-burning effect in the body, as well as increase metabolism.

 

6. Digestive Aid

Green tea is a well-known digestive stimulant. It reduces intestinal gas and may even offer support for digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the two types of IBD.

7. Normal Blood Sugar

Green tea has been used in traditional medicine to keep blood sugar levels stabilized. Studies show that green tea can prevent the development of type 1 diabetes, and can even be used as a aid for diabetes once it has developed. This may be due to the fact that it regulates glucose in the body.

8. Support for Arthritis

Studies show that green tea counteracts the response typically associated with diseases like arthritis. It does this by slowing the inflammation response as well as the breakdown of cartilage in arthritic individuals.

9. Immune-Booster

Green tea may act as an overall immune booster. Chemicals in green tea have been used to promote good health in so many ways. Some studies on laboratory animals even show promising evidence that green tea can slow the aging process and even keep us alive longer!

Please, share with me your thoughts and experiences with green tea!

– Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

February 01, 2015

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3 Reasons Tea Is Good for Your Gut

BY  ON 

Whether you’ve caught a bug, have a chronic illness or just overindulged, digestive problems are never fun. The next time your stomach’s feeling a little off, here are three good reasons to reach for tea instead of TUMS.

Inflammation Blocker

When scientists from Kingston University in London were researching plants that would help fight cancer and inflammation, white tea ended up being number one among the top three contenders. It turns out that naturally-occurring substances in the tea can help block the progression of inflammation.
Tea also contains polyphenols, which act as antioxidants and help to promote healthy gut bacteria and discourage inflammation. Black and Green Teas are especially high in polyphenol count. v

Digestive Aid

Drinking tea—even a small amount—with or after a meal can aid digestion and help to jump start your metabolism. You can thank all those flavonoids and antioxidants for that! Green tea, specifically, is known for stimulating the intestines and reducing gas (9 Health Benefits of Green Tea).

Extra good news for all of you chai addicts out there: the beverage is full of spices and herbs that are beneficial and soothing to the guts, including ginger, fennel, anise and cardamom. Plus, cloves and star anise, common ingredients in your favorite Indian spiced brew, are both high in polyphenols, even outranking tea according to the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

October 28, 2014

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Ovarian Cancer Risk Drops With Diet Rich In Citrus Fruits And Tea

By Chris Weller | Oct 28, 2014 02:22 PM EDT

Load up on your cups of tea and orange slices, ladies, because it just might prevent you from getting ovarian cancer. A massive new study spanning three decades finds the compounds in citrus fruits and tea lead to substantial reductions in lifetime risk.

A warm cup of tea or satisfying piece of fresh fruit no doubt makes us feel better, but what’s really protecting our bodies is invisible and tasteless. Both items contain hearty quantities of flavonoids, natural compounds that help protect blood vessels from leakage, prevent cells from suffering oxidative stress, and stave off inflammation in the body. Without them, the body succumbs to easy bruising and frequent colds or infection.

Their absence may also contribute to a greater risk for ovarian cancer. In the United States, the disease is the eighth most common cancer for women and fifth-deadliest, behind lung, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Each year, about 20,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, according to datarom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hoping to understand how that number could drop, nutrition research experts from the University of East Anglia and Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School looked at data that tracked just under 172,000 women over a 30-year period. The women whose diets consisted of two types of flavonoids in particular, called flavonols and flavanones, showed markedly lower rates of cancer. Two cups of black tea per day, for instance, lowered a woman’s risk by an average of 31 percent.

Flavonols are found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale, in beverages like tea and red wine, and in fruits like apples and grapes. Flavanones are most often found in citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Other common sources of flavonoids include berries, soybeans and legumes, and herbs like parsley and thyme, although the researchers did not set out to study these.

 

Source: Cassidy A Huang T, Rice M, Rimm E, Tworoger Shelley. Intake of dietary flavonoids and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2014.

October 10, 2014

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Green Tea ›

Become Einstein: Green Tea Impacts the Brain

Does it feel like you’re always forgetting where you put your keys, wallet or cell phone? Do you return home from the grocery store without all your ingredients? Ramp up that memory by making green tea a regular part of your day.

Full of antioxidants, this tea powerhouse may not only improve overall cognitive function but also keep dementia at bay. Recently, researchers in Japan studied how regular consumption of green tea impacts retention.

For three months, 15 elderly patients added green tea powder to every meal while cutting out all other supplements. What did they discover? Green tea is a brain booster! Not only did the patients’ short term memory increase but the progress of deterioration slowed down. In order to reap the benefits of this study, drink 2 to 4 cups a day. Your mind will thank you for it.

 

See our Green Tea Collection -> Click Here

October 08, 2014

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Green Tea › Health Benefits ›

Share a Cuppa with Fido? Really?!

BY  ON  · 

Does your dog or cat try to sneak a sip of your morning tea? Ever wonder if you should offer your pet its own cup? According to Dog Behaviorist and Canine Holistic Wellness Advisor, Karen Rosenfeld, you not only can but should give your pets their own cup of tea.

“Tisanes can be antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and even an antidepressant,” said Rosenfeld. “It is just amazing what tea offers for our pets.”

Tisane for petsTo optimize the health benefits of a tisane, choose organic when available or use fresh herbs from your garden. In addition, pay careful attention to the size of your pet, adjusting the dose accordingly. Rosenfeld recommends 1/16 teaspoon of dried herbs for dogs and cats that are up to 10 pounds and no more than 2 teaspoons for dogs over 100 pounds. As far as teas to avoid, black and caffeinated green tea should never be given to pets. Caffeine can be extremely toxic for your four-legged friend.

Rosenfeld recommends tea to most of her holistic clients and offers a cup of tea to her pooches on a daily basis, brewing either decaffeinated green tea or rooibos. The tea is cooled then poured directly on top of their food. The benefits of rooibos tea for pets are similar to those in humans, offering a boost to their immune systems. Rooibos also works wonders, shares Rosenfeld, for those pets that are suffering from skin allergies and anxiety.

Rooibos for dogsDecaffeinated green tea and its extract may assist with a variety of ailments in pets, from treating cancer to assisting with bad breath. “Green tea is fantastic for dogs, providing that you are using decaffeinated and to adjunct the antioxidant properties of the green tea, you should use fresh lemon juice,” said Rosenfeld. She recommends using green tea for everything from topically treating an eye infection (3 to 5 drops in the eye) to cleaning your pet with a green tea body wash. However, the ASPCA recommends using green tea with caution, advising that even with decaffeinated blends; some pets may experience stomach pain.

Wary about giving your pet green tea? Have no fear, other herbs can be just as beneficial. Chamomile (either the tea or flower) is wonderful for reducing anxiety and also to topically treat eye infections. Meanwhile warming ginger root, either as tea or placed directly in food, can help relieve nausea and improve vascular circulation. This is particularly beneficial to dogs with short fur that may be sensitive to cooler nights. In fact, she regularly gives ginger root to her boxer Robbie, adding the root to his daily salad.

“Tisanes are a valuable nutraceutical for dogs,” said Rosenfeld. “If you choose not to give them, you will lose access to some amazing health benefits.” Whether you choose to make your own or buy a blend created for pets, take the time to share a cup with your pet today.

Cautionary Note: When using herbs as part of a treatment plan, it is important to check for any potential interactions with medications. In addition, always double check with your veterinarian to make sure that both the herbs and dosage are safe for your pet to consume.

October 02, 2014

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Share the Love of a Cup of Tea with Your Children


-MARIE HARDIE ON  

Tea is so much more than a beverage quickly consumed. It’s a delightful aroma, a taste that tantalizes the tongue and a soothing ritual. What better way to enhance your tea drinking experience than to share it with your child?

“Sharing an experience like having a cup of tea is an amazing way to bond with your child,” said Chiara Johnson, Professor, Early Childhood Education. Preparing and sharing tea encourages parents to slow down. Have fun involving your child with the planning process, and immerse yourself in both the preparation and drinking of tea. Family rituals can be as simple as catching up at the end of the school day over a cup of tea, all the way to elaborately blending your own tea concoctions in the kitchen.

“I really enjoy the ritual of drinking tea with my son,” said Lisa Watson, Naturopathic Doctor. “I love brewing the tea together, watching it cool down, pouring it into special tea cups and just making him feel a part of my ritual of drinking tea.” Due to its caffeine content, Watson chooses to steer away from black and green tea, instead gravitating towards caffeine-free tisanes.

Make it a Daily Routine

Choose your tisane based on the time of day. Perhaps in the morning you may choose rooibos tea to provide a vitamin C boost. In the evening, parents could offer a lemon verbena or chamomile tisane to encourage relaxation and gently end the day. For additional relaxation and a lovely taste, try choosing a blend with lavender. The gentle aroma is extremely soothing and calming.

Sharing a cup of tea with your child offers a ritual you can both look forward to.

Children, especially young children, thrive on routine, giving them a sense of structure and stability. In addition, shares Johnson, a regular daily routine helps develop secure attachment. Eye contact, smiling, and having a conversation with your child helps foster this attachment. In fact, sharing a cup of tea may not only build a bond with your child but also increase their self-esteem.

childrenGive Children the Choice

One quick way to strengthen self-esteem is to allow your child to select the tea they want to drink. According to Dr. Sears, when children share in the selection process it helps them feel important. As an added bonus, selecting a cup of tea is a hands-on experience that engages all the senses and young children learn best when all their senses are engaged. What better  way to stimulate them than through a cup of tea? The aroma, taste and sight of a brilliantly hued infusion will appeal to all your child’s senses. Johnson encourages taking your child to a teashop to expand their learning. Spend time smelling, tasting and eventually choosing the tisanes together.

“Tea is such an easy way of giving your child hydration that is safe and healthy for them,” said Watson.  “It’s a great ritual and children do so well when they have patterns and routines in their lives. You can really influence the day by giving them tea in the evening to help calm them down, share a conversation with them or just connect with them in another way.”

August 27, 2014

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Green Tea › Health Benefits ›

The most commonly consumed health drink!

August, 17th 2014

 

Green tea is the most commonly consumed health drink in the world. However, to reap green tea's full benefits, you must drink enough each day. Also, it is important to choose a naturally grown green tea. 

Green tea contains high concentrations of antioxidants known as polyphenols, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It seems the world has the right idea, because green tea offers many health benefits, including helping to keep your heart healthy.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Helps Your Heart

Green tea has been shown to fight atherosclerosis, a condition that causes cholesterol to build up in your arteries. This narrows your arteries, restricting blood flow. Eventually, atherosclerosis can lead to coronary artery disease. Some research studies have shown green tea drinkers experience a reduced heart disease risk. Green tea may also raise levels of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, the good cholesterol that helps to reduce your harmful LDL cholesterol levels.

Promotes Weight Loss

The catechins in green tea are not only helpful in fighting cancer, but they help the body burn fat as well. In a Japanese study at the Department of Animal Science at Shizuoka University, researchers fed green tea powder to mice for sixteen weeks and observed the changes in their bodies and habits. The researchers noted that the mice fed the powder ate less, gained less weight, and accumulated less fat in their bodies than mice in the control group. This led researchers to conclude that green tea may be effective in reducing body weight.

Stabilizes Blood Sugar.

Green tea may be helpful in preventing blood sugar spikes, which is advantageous for everyone, but for diabetics in particular. According to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, "Diabetes, which is even more common than high blood pressure, can actually be kept under control by consuming green tea. Starch in any form is converted into sugar, and this is done with the help of an enzyme called amylase. The polyphenols present in green tea extract reduce the amount of amylase produced; thus, the levels of sugar in the blood also decrease."

Reduces Cancer Risk

MedlinePlus ranks green tea as "possibly effective" for preventing some cancer types, including bladder, esophageal, ovarian and pancreatic cancers. A study published in the February 2013 issue of "Cancer Epidemiology” found Chinese women who drank green, black and oolong tea experienced a reduced ovarian cancer risk. Furthermore, researchers found the more tea a woman drank, the lower her risk for ovarian cancer. While laboratory studies have shown reduced risk for cancer, studies in people have not yielded definitive results, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Reduces Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disease

The antioxidants in green tea help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and help increase HDL (good) cholesterol. They also improve artery function. According to a study published in the 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), “drinking green tea lowers the risk of death due to all causes, including cardiovascular disease.” The researchers demonstrated that women who drank five or more cups of green tea a day had a 31% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than women who drank less than one cup of green tea per day. Likewise, men who drank five or more cups of green tea per day had a 22% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than men who drank less than one cup of green tea per day.

Improves Mental Alertness and Thinking

Caffeine in your green tea may not be all bad -- drinking green tea has been shown to improve mental alertness and thinking, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Additionally, green tea's warmth can soothe your throat. So, drink up -- green tea is good for you.

 

Daily Recommendations

While the amount of polyphenols in green tea can vary among brands, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends drinking 2 to 3 cups each day. This will provide about 240 to 320 milligrams of polyphenols.

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