But too many of us end up in a very different scenario, thanks, in large part, to the heart and blood vessel diseases that run rampant in our country.

That’s why every little thing we can do to protect our health matters…

According to research from the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, there’s a simple way to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke and increase not only your life expectancy but the quality of your health in those years — all with one drink.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The magic of tea

Researchers studying a considerable population of nearly 101,000 people in China for over seven years found that tea drinkers live longer and are healthier as a result.

After creating two groups with very different tea habits — habitual tea drinkers (three or more times a week) and non-habitual tea drinkers (less than three times a week) — they found that those who enjoyed tea more often won, hands down.

Habitual tea consumption was not only associated with healthier years and longer life expectancy, but it also lowered:

• Risk of non-fatal heart disease and stroke by 20 percent;
• Risk of fatal heart disease and stroke by 22 percent;
• Risk of all-cause death by 15 percent.

And it gets even better…

The team followed a subset of participants (14,010 total) who maintained their regular tea-drinking habits for over 13 years, and saw that their benefits were amplified…

Those who continued to drink tea three or more times a week over the years benefited from a:

• 39 percent lower risk of non-fatal heart disease and stroke;
• 56 percent lower risk of fatal heart disease and stroke;
• 29 percent decrease in the risk of all-cause death.

That’s right, simply drinking tea could cut your risk of dying from heart disease or stroke by almost 60 percent and your risk of dying from anything at all by close to 30 percent!

But if you want to reap those benefits, drinking should not be a habit you start and stop, but one that lasts a lifetime.

When asked why this is true, senior author Dr. Dongfeng Gu of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences gave this answer:

“Mechanism studies have suggested that the main bioactive compounds in tea, namely polyphenols, are not stored in the body long-term. Thus, frequent tea intake over an extended period may be necessary for the cardioprotective effect.”

In other words, you’ve got to drink those polyphenols regularly to keep that ticker ticking away.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

Give your Body the Optimal Alkalizing Nutrients you Need for Healthy pH Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Green tea for the win

But, there’s one more thing you should know…

The study also showed that one type of tea was more effective at promoting a longer, healthier life, specifically green tea.

They conducted a head-to-head analysis pitting green tea against black tea and found that while green tea conferred all of that protection against heart disease, stroke, and all-cause death, black tea simply did not.

As someone with a family history of heart disease, this doesn’t surprise me. I’ve come across multiple studies indicating that green tea contains many compounds with protective benefits for the heart and blood pressure.

The funny thing about green and black tea is that they all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. But they’re prepared using different methods.

So, let’s all raise a teacup to better heart health and longer life!

Source:

1. Tea drinkers live longer — EurekAlert

The post Drink this every day to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I don’t worry too much about these habits. My husband takes his coffee black, so there’s no added sugar or calories to worry about. And I like my tea with a splash of unsweetened plant milk, which only adds a few calories and no extra sugar.

Plus, a ton of health benefits are associated with both coffee and tea — including reducing the risk of some types of cancer. And recent research has added this seventh most common cancer to that list…

Coffee, tea and head and neck cancer

Rates of head and neck cancer are rising in low- and middle-income countries, causing investigators to explore ways to combat that increase. Many studies have been conducted to assess whether coffee or tea is linked with head and neck cancer, but results have been inconsistent — until now…

One team of international researchers analyzed more than a dozen of these studies, pooling information on 9,548 patients with head and neck cancer and 15,783 controls without cancer — and what they found was encouraging.

Compared with non-coffee drinkers, people who drank more than four cups of caffeinated coffee daily had a 17 percent lower risk overall of contracting head and neck cancer. They also had 30 percent lower odds of having cancer of the oral cavity and 22 percent reduced odds of having throat cancer.

Drinking three to four cups of caffeinated coffee was linked with a 41 percent lower risk of having hypopharyngeal cancer, a type of cancer that affects the bottom of the throat. Drinking decaffeinated coffee was associated with a 25 percent reduced risk of oral cavity cancer.

As for tea, the news is good too…

Drinking tea was connected with a 29 percent lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. Drinking one cup or less of tea daily was linked with a 9 percent lower risk overall of head and neck cancer and a 27 percent lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer. Interestingly,  drinking more than one cup of tea was associated with 38 percent higher odds of laryngeal cancer.

“While there has been prior research on coffee and tea consumption and reduced risk of cancer, this study highlighted their varying effects with different sub-sites of head and neck cancer, including the observation that even decaffeinated coffee had some positive impact,” says senior author Dr. Yuan-Chin Amy Lee of Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah School of Medicine.

The power of polyphenols

People around the world consume coffee and tea, and the beverages contain bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds may be key to the anti-cancer benefits.

“We have looked at the literature, and we suspect that perhaps bioactive compounds other than caffeine contribute to this potential anticancer effect of coffee and tea,” Lee says. “Polyphenols found in caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee and tea have exhibited anti-oxidative and anticancer properties that contribute to inhibition of angiogenesis, cell proliferation, cell invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. This bioactive capability of coffee has also been found in lab studies of human cancer cell lines.”

The researchers say their findings support the protective effects of coffee and tea consumption on head and neck cancer risk. They note further studies should determine the effects of coffee and tea consumption in regions beyond North America and Europe, particularly in low- and middle-income countries burdened by head and neck cancer. They should also include different coffee and tea types and processing styles.

To that end, Lee and colleagues hope to extend their research into areas such as the temperature of the beverage, as well as additives such as cream, sugar and milk and the way coffee beans are prepared.

What does all this mean for you? If you’re a coffee or tea lover, this is further proof that your habit is doing you good health-wise. So, you can keep indulging, though you may want to do it without adding tons of milk or sweeteners.

You might want to give your hot tea or coffee time to cool, also. A study from a few years ago found that these drinks consumed at high temperatures were linked to an increase in esophageal cancer.

Sources:

1. Can drinking coffee or tea help prevent head and neck cancer? — EurekAlert!

2. Coffee, Tea Tied to Lower Risk of Head and Neck Cancer — MedPage Today

3. Coffee and tea consumption and the risk of head and neck cancer: An updated pooled analysis in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium — Cancer

The post Coffee and tea’s connection to head and neck cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Of course, some things can take that risk even higher, like a diet high in saturated fats, not getting enough exercise, drinking alcohol and smoking. All of these could be lumped together as unhealthy lifestyle habits.

But all of us know someone seemingly hit by a stroke entirely out of left field. Or was it?

As time passes, science is revealing more about things we assume are inconsequential, but have a surprising impact on stroke risk.

This will have you watching what you put in your cup much more closely…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Soda and fruit drinks strongly linked with increased stroke risk

An analysis of findings from the INTERSTROKE project shows that frequent consumption of fizzy drinks and fruit drinks and too much coffee are associated with an increased risk of stroke.

INTERSTROKE is one of the most significant international studies of risk factors for stroke, involving almost 27,000 people in 27 countries, including nearly 13,500 people who have already experienced their first stroke.

An international group of scientists looked at the consumption of these drinks as it relates to stroke risk. Here are their main findings:

• Fizzy drinks (think soda), including both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened options, were linked with a 22 percent increased chance of stroke. After two or more of these drinks a day, that risk increases even more sharply.
• Fruit juice drinks were linked with a 37% increase in the chance of stroke due to brain bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). With two of these drinks a day, the risk triples. This risk was greater for women than for men.

Too much coffee also increases risk

As far as coffee consumption, their findings showed that drinking more than four cups of coffee a day increased the chance of stroke by 37 percent, although there was no risk associated with lower intakes of coffee.

Drinking tea was found to have the opposite effect. It was associated with decreasing stroke risk by 18 to 20 percent.

And the results were even more specific in terms of which tea you drink and what you put in it:

• Drinking 3-4 cups of black tea daily (think Breakfast or Earl Grey teas) was linked to a 29 percent lower stroke risk.
• Green or herbal teas were found to be almost as effective, reducing stroke risk by 27 percent.
• Adding milk may reduce or block the beneficial effects of antioxidants found in tea. In fact, the reduced chance of stroke from drinking tea was lost for those who added milk.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to recognize a stroke

One of the risk factors for stroke is older age. But in recent years, strokes in people under 65 have increased by 15 percent. And I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the fastest growing group with type 2 diabetes are those aged 45 to 64.

The connection could be that when insulin doesn’t function properly, blood sugar levels rise, damaging blood vessels and making them stiff and ripe to form blood clots.

But turning to foods and especially drinks sweetened with sugar alternatives is not the answer. Those sweeteners, like xylitol and erythritol, promote blood clot formation.

It’s a safe bet to reach for water and safer options, such as modest amounts of coffee and tea, as pointed out in the INTERSTROKE study.

Remember, when a stroke strikes, minutes really do count. Every minute could spell the difference between recovery and permanent disablement, or death.

To remember the signs of a stroke with the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T.:

B – balance – trouble with balance or coordination

E – eyes – sudden blurred, double, or lost vision in one or both eyes

F – face – one side of the face is drooping

A – arms – weakness in one arm, which drifts down when both arms are raised

S – speech – slurred or hard-to-understand speech, or the inability to speak at all

T – time to get help – if you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately

Sources:

Frequent fizzy or fruit drinks and high coffee consumption linked to higher stroke risk – Eureka Alert

Carbonated Beverage, Fruit Drink, and Water Consumption and Risk of Acute Stroke: the INTERSTROKE Case-Control Study – Journal of Stroke

B.E. F.A.S.T. to Spot a Stroke – universityhealth.com

The post The good and the bad: Drinks that impact stroke risk appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Coffee helps to boost focus, increase levels of attention and alertness and improve learning and memory. And studies indicate it can delay dementia and lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Sadly, all of coffee’s brain benefits have left tea lovers like me out in the cold — until now….

Peak Krill Oil^™

You probably already know how important omega-3s are to support heart and brain health. But there are five reasons you may be getting yours from a less than adequate source, starting with a powerful antioxidant that delivers DHA into your brain cells… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Coffee, tea and your brain

Two studies, presented at the recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), indicate consumption of both coffee and tea could have benefits for the brain.

One that looked at 6,001 Health and Retirement Study participants in the U.S. found a link between drinking two or more cups of coffee a day and a 28 percent lower risk of dementia over seven years compared with drinking less than one daily cup.

Not unexpected, given previous study results. But the great news for tea lovers is that moderate tea drinking (up to two cups a day) was associated with a lower dementia risk compared with no tea consumption.

According to the researchers, when calculating total caffeine intake from both coffee and tea, they found participants in the highest quartile of caffeine consumption had a 38 percent decreased risk of dementia.

A second study presented at AAIC showed among 8,451 U.K. Biobank participants, daily coffee and tea consumption predicted fluid intelligence decline. Fluid intelligence is the ability to reason and generate, transform and manipulate different types of information in real time. You might say it’s a way to measure mental sharpness.

Nearly half (47 percent) of U.K. Biobank participants reported high tea consumption, drinking four cups a day or more, while 38 percent were moderate tea drinkers, and 15 percent didn’t drink tea at all.

By contrast, only 18 percent of the participants consumed high amounts of coffee, 58 percent were moderate coffee drinkers and 25 percent didn’t drink any coffee.

Peak Digestion^™

Protects You From Unwanted Effects of Gluten Ingestion, Calms Stomach Upset and Supports Digestion!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Tea and coffee support a sharp mind

According to the study, the decline in fluid intelligence was slower among older adults who drank one to three cups of coffee a day and those who never drank coffee, compared with those who drank four or more daily cups. This suggests too much coffee could potentially cancel out its benefits.

Things were a little different for the tea drinkers. Participants who never consumed tea had a greater decline in fluid intelligence than those who drank moderate (one to three daily cups) or high (four or more daily cups) amounts of tea.

These results “support the hypothesis that both coffee and tea intake may have a protective factor against cognitive decline, particularly for maintaining fluid intelligence,” says Dr. Kelsey Sewell of Murdoch University in Perth, Australia.

Both coffee and tea contain bioactive compounds, including caffeine. Sewell suggests that given the relationships found in the study, caffeine could be the potential mechanism in this case. However, she adds, further studies are needed to determine the neuroprotective mechanisms of the coffee and tea compounds.

The researchers noted that study participants self-reported their coffee and/or tea consumption, and the researchers didn’t have information about their coffee or tea habits during midlife.

But despite the need for more research, Sewell says this study indicates coffee and tea intake could contribute to the development of safe, inexpensive strategies for delaying onset and reducing incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.

The bottom line: whether your morning beverage of choice is coffee or tea, you can rest easier knowing it may be protecting you from cognitive decline. In the case of coffee, though, you may want to stop after that third cup to ensure its full benefits.

Sources:

Coffee-Dementia Link Continues to Unfurl — MedPage Today

Fluid Intelligence — ScienceDirect

The post Move over coffee: Tea lowers dementia risk too appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If that sounds like a lot to you, you’re not alone. Most Americans are only eating one serving or less of fruits and vegetables every day.

These poor dietary habits are part of the reason the rate of type 2 diabetes is skyrocketing. An estimated 11.6 percent of the American population is currently living with type 2 diabetes, and that number will likely continue to grow if we don’t get our diets under control.

If overhauling your entire eating plan all at once seems overwhelming, I have good news for you. Lowering your type 2 diabetes risk could be as easy as adding these three foods to your diet — and only one daily serving is required for two of them…

Peak Cardio Platinum^™

Research shows that by age 70, Nitric Oxide production declines by up to 75 percent! But supporting healthy N-O levels isn’t as easy as taking a nitric oxide pill. The body needs nutrients to produce N-O on its own — and that’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Drink more tea, eat more apples and berries

Flavonoids are substances found in plant-based foods and beverages that have powerful health properties. Flavonoids such as anthocyanins, fisetin, quercetin and isoflavones can help defend against conditions inlcuding high blood pressure, inflammation, menopause and type 2 diabetes.

Researchers have discovered there are three foods, in particular, you should be eating if you really want to turbo-charge the diabetes-protective impact of these flavonoids: tea, berries and apples.

The researchers analyzed data gathered from 2006 to 2010 from 113,097 participants in the UK Biobank study. The participants’ flavonoid intake was measured through two or more 24-hour dietary surveys analyzed using the US Department of Agriculture databases.

Based on average daily consumption, the researchers selected 10 flavonoid-rich foods and calculated a Flavodiet Score (FDS) by adding up the servings of these foods. They then performed statistical analyses to assess the link between dietary flavonoid intake and development of type 2 diabetes.

They discovered a higher FDS equivalent to consuming six servings of flavonoid-rich foods daily was connected to a 28 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to a lower FDS of one serving daily.

Results also showed that each additional daily serving of flavonoid-rich foods cuts diabetes risk by 6 percent. And three foods in particular were found to slash diabetes risk:

• Four servings of black or green tea per day were associated with a 21 percent lower diabetes risk
• One daily serving of berries was linked to a 15 percent reduced diabetes risk
• One serving per day of apples was connected to a 12 percent lower diabetes risk

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

This is good news as the odds of developing type 2 diabetes continue to grow. And the older you get, the more at risk you are — practically one out of every two older Americans is on the cusp of type 2 diabetes.

Flavonoids lead to better blood sugar control and more

The study findings also indicate a diet rich in flavonoids positively affects weight management, glucose metabolism, inflammation and kidney and liver function, all of which contribute to the reduced type 2 diabetes risk.

Flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, and flavonols, can enhance insulin secretion and signaling and improve the transport and metabolism of glucose. This means that higher flavonoid intake can lead to greater insulin sensitivity and an improved blood lipid profile.

The researchers found certain people were more likely to engage in higher consumption of foods rich in flavonoids including women, older individuals and physically active participants.

Clearly, adopting a diet rich in flavonoids is a good move for staving off type 2 diabetes. So if you really want to turbo-charge the diabetes-protective impact of flavonoids, make sure you’re enjoying plenty of apples, berries and tea.

Sources:

Flavonoid-rich foods and drinks tied to an up to 28% lower risk of type 2 diabetes — Medical News Today

Higher habitual intakes of flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods are associated with a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes in the UK Biobank cohort — Nutrition & Diabetes

National Diabetes Statistics Report — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The State Of The Plate: New Research Reveals America’s Fruit & Vegetable Consumption Is Eroding — Have a Plant

The post 3 foods to take down blood sugar, blood pressure and weight appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

At my last annual physical, my doctor smiled and said, “Your cholesterol is a little high.” I couldn’t understand why he was smiling, until I remembered something.

There are two types of cholesterol. Low-density lipids, or LDLs, the “bad” cholesterol that blocks our arteries, and high-density lipids, or HDLs, the “good” cholesterol that helps protect our heart.

So, when we talk about healthy cholesterol levels, we have to talk about both. According to the American Heart Association, a healthy cholesterol reading (in mg/deciliter) is 200, with HDL at 40 or higher and LDL of less than 100.

Apparently, while my LDL reading was healthy, my HDL reading was pretty high. But this is a good “problem” to have.

It’s up to us to control the increase in LDLs that seems to creep up as we age (though young people get high LDL, too). You probably know that a diet consisting of whole foods, little to no sugar and healthy fat is key. The Okinawan diet and the Mediterranean diet are two eating plans that seem to ring all those bells.

But, you’ll definitely want to consider adding some herbal teas to that eating plan. Most teas are full of powerful health-promoting compounds called polyphenols. These act as antioxidants and fight free radicals.

And there are at least four different refreshing varieties that can help keep your cholesterol in check…

The post 4 teas that naturally balance cholesterol appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It’s one factor, above all others, that elevates your risk of some of the most dangerous conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.

But even though the subject of dieting to improve weight and health is discussed a lot, you don’t always hear the word “tea” thrown into the mix.

Sure, you’ve heard about the amazing polyphenol potential of green tea … but what about for preventing and treating obesity?

You bet! A study in Clinical Nutrition found green tea extract led not only to weight loss but reduced waistlines in women after 12 weeks. Magic? Not at all…

Green tea extract significantly lowers levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, acting like a natural appetite suppressor.

But you can drink too much green tea, so don’t consume more than 3 or 4 cups a day. Of course, green tea isn’t your only option for taming your appetite, boosting your metabolism or losing weight…

Many studies have shown that habitual tea drinkers have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and waist-to-hip ratios and less body fat than non-tea drinkers.

In addition, teas offer protection against many of the health risks associated with obesity — which can be helpful while you’re working to lose weight. Some are even reported to help you sip away stroke and cholesterol.

Ready for tea time now? From common teas you know about, to more exotic options, you might want to consider making tea a daily drinking habit from now on…

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

Give your Body the Optimal Alkalizing Nutrients you Need for Healthy pH Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Black tea

Good ol’ black tea is an obvious choice, but even so, it still packs a punch of benefits.

For one, it alters the way fat is absorbed and assimilated into your body. In particular, it prevents the absorption of fats from the intestines, which influences three things — the amount of additional fat you store, the amount of liver fat you accumulate, and your cholesterol levels — all of which mean your metabolism functions better, and faster.

Secondly, black tea promotes improved blood glucose regulation by changing the way carbs are digested and absorbed. For instance, it prevents complex sugars from being broken down into simple sugars. Therefore, the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream can be reduced by as much as 25 percent.

Black tea also suppresses the liver’s production of glucose to further promote improved glucose regulation. That’s a huge win for avoiding the insulin resistance that can lead to prediabetes and eventually type 2 diabetes.

It also inhibits enzymes associated with carbohydrate digestion, which appears to reduce food intake, acting as an appetite suppressor.

And like most teas, black tea provides potent antioxidant properties.

Mango leaf tea

Mango leaves and fruits are full of bioactive compounds such as mangiferin, phenolics, and antioxidants.

In particular, mangiferin has been shown to reduce cholesterol and body weight in both animals and humans. It does so by targeting the liver where it assists in metabolism and energy use. The results of these effects are reduced belly fat accumulation and increased levels of enzymes that boost metabolism.

Mango leaf tea also provides powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Hawk tea

This unusual tea, also known as eagle tea and laoying cha, originates from China where it’s been used to treat a number of ailments over the centuries. Derived from the L. coreana plant, the tea made from its leaves is rich in beneficial plant compounds, essential oils, and vitamins.

Obesity is often associated with a fatty liver and that’s one area hawk tea can really help. It protects against liver damage and liver inflammation and has even been shown to directly reduce liver fat, in animal studies.

Hawk tea can also help reduce blood glucose levels, another factor that can help control fat storage. And on top of all that it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties.

It’s not the easiest tea to get hold of but can be found in some Chinese/Asian supermarkets.

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Peruvian teas

Three Peruvian teas that have gained more attention in scientific studies are Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw), Phyllanthus niruri (chanca pidera), and Lepidium meyenii (maca).

Cellular inflammation is a well-known cause of obesity and its associated diseases — diabetes and heart disease. Peruvian teas offer several antioxidant compounds that have the power to target specific enzymes involved in the onset and progression of inflammation-induced issues of metabolism.

When you can drive down inflammation, your metabolism improves and therefore, your chances of losing weight increase, and your odds for weight gain decrease.

Matcha

Matcha is a powdered form of green tea. According to the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, drinking matcha the day before, then 2 hours before exercising can increase fat oxidation, which is the rate at which your body burns fat. In the study, the exercise was a 30-minute brisk walk.

The post 6 teas that boost metabolism, tame appetite and fight fat appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Breaking a hip, especially for people over 60, can be a death sentence. The long period of immobility that follows can bring on all sorts of other health complications.

So, what can you do to prevent a hip fracture?

An observational study of 26,000 women has found that if you’re a regular coffee or tea drinker — you’re a step ahead of the rest of us…

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Coffee or tea plus extra protein reduces hip fracture risk

Food scientists at the University of Leeds have found that women can reduce their risk of hip fracture by 14% if they add just 25g of protein to their daily diet.

But not only that, they can bring that risk down an additional 4 percent for every cup of tea or coffee they drink!

The data used in the study came from the UK Women’s Cohort Study, which recruited participants between 1995 and 1998. At the time they entered the study, the women were between 35 and 69 years old.

The protective benefits of protein were even greater for women who were underweight. For these women, an additional 25g of daily protein was linked to a 45% reduction in the risk of hip fracture.

Because women who are underweight tend to have reduced bone mineral density and muscle mass, the additional protein has an even more dramatic impact on their likelihood of fracturing a hip.

More good news? The protein can come from any source: meat, dairy, eggs, beans, nuts or legumes.

Hopefully, you’re already getting plenty of calcium in your diet, vitamin D and practicing some weight-bearing exercises to support your bone health. But it’s certainly nice knowing your coffee or tea habit has been helping all along as well.

How to get that extra 25 g

It’s not as hard as you might think to add that 25g of protein to your diet.

Here are a few ways to do it:

• Three to four eggs
• A piece of salmon or steak
• Pasta and tomato sauce (3/4 c. pasta, ¼ c. tomato sauce, topped with ¾ ricotta cheese
• ¾ c. tuna salad
• A snack plate with a hard-boiled egg, 1.5 oz. cheddar cheese and 5 multigrain crackers
• A cup of Greek yogurt topped with 2 tbsps. walnuts
• A cup of cottage cheese
• 4 oz. almonds or pistachios
• 3-4 tablespoons of peanut butter

Looks like I’ll be adding a peanut butter sandwich and some yogurt to my afternoon snack routine!

Peak D3^™

When you step out into the sunlight, your body begins the process of making vitamin D. But getting the ideal amount can be difficult because some of us can’t effectively absorb it. That’s just one of many reasons the vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Why hip fractures are so dangerous

The vast majority of people who suffer hip fractures are over 65. And many factors can increase our fall risk.

But bone density tends to decrease with age, and osteoporosis-related breaks are among the most common types of hip fractures. Just falling off a chair can be enough to break a brittle hip bone.

In our 60s and 70s, we start losing muscle mass — about three percent per year! This, too, makes falls more likely, and recovery from a broken hip more difficult.

It can take anywhere from a few months to a year before you can walk following a hip fracture — and that’s the real danger. The decreased mobility can lead to blood clots in the legs or lungs, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism, all of which can be fatal to someone in a weakened, post-surgical state.

Of course, there are things that could help you get back up following hip surgery faster — but avoiding that danger altogether is preferable by far. And what’s easier than sipping a cup and enjoying a PB&J?

Sources:

How women can reduce the risk of hip fracture — Eureka Alert

Foods, nutrients and hip fracture risk: A prospective study of middle-aged women — Clinical Nutrition

Hip Fractures — Crystal Run Health Care

Hip fractures: Most elderly unlikely to fully recover — Science Daily

The post What’s in your mug could lower your risk for hip fracture appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But I really shouldn’t worry. It turns out tea, my drink of choice, gives coffee some stiff competition as far as healthy beverages go…

For one thing, tea is loaded with flavonoids, naturally occurring compounds that act as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals that contribute to chronic disease.

Tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that’s only found in tea and some mushrooms. L-theanine helps promote good mental function, and when combined with the caffeine in tea, can benefit attention task performance.

It’s also been reported to strengthen the immune system and assist in weight loss. And drinking 1 to 2 cups of tea every day could significantly reduce the risk of diseases like vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease.

And the most recent research found some stunning news about tea and artery health…

Peak Cardio Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutrients Help Arteries and Cardiovascular Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The connection between tea and heart health

When specifically looking at black tea’s heart benefits, researchers have found a link between its flavonoid content and reduced risk of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC).

The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the body. It supplies oxygenated blood from the heart to the abdominal organs and lower limbs, and its calcification can predict cardiovascular risks such as heart attack and stroke.

AAC also has been found to be a reliable indicator for late-in-life dementia.

Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia studied elderly women with a median age of 80. The study found these women were far less likely to have an extensive buildup of AAC if they consumed a high level of flavonoids in their diet.

Ben Parmenter, an ECU researcher and study lead, says while the participants consumed many dietary sources of flavonoids, some had particularly high amounts.

“In most populations, a small group of foods and beverages — uniquely high in flavonoids — contribute the bulk of total dietary flavonoid intake,” he says. “The main contributors are usually black or green tea, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, red wine, apples, raisins/grapes and dark chocolate.”

In the ECU study, black tea was the main source of flavonoids. Participants who drank 2 to 6 cups of tea per day had a 16 to 42 percent lower chance of having extensive AAC compared to those who did not drink tea at all.

Certain other dietary sources of flavonoids such as fruit juice, red wine and chocolate did not show the same beneficial association with AAC.

Still, Parmenter notes that out of the women who didn’t drink black tea, higher total non-tea flavonoid intake also appeared to protect against extensive artery calcification. And previous studies have already shown flavonols are great for healthy blood pressure.

“This implies flavonoids from sources other than black tea may be protective against AAC when tea is not consumed,” he says. This is important, he adds, because in other populations or groups of people black tea may not be the main source of flavonoids.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Specific flavonoids that target AAC

When looking at specific types of flavonoids, flavan-3-ols and flavonols appeared to have a significant relationship with AAC. Those who had a higher intake of total flavonoids, flavan-3-ols and flavonols were 36 to 39 percent less likely to have extensive AAC.

If you don’t drink tea, now might be a good time to start to protect your health later in life. But if you really dislike the beverage, try adding other flavonoid-rich foods to your diet so protect your heart health and stave off dementia.

A good place to start is with blueberries, dark chocolate and cranberries, all of which are excellent sources of flavonoids.

Experts recommend getting about 500 mg of flavonoids a day, roughly the amount in 1-2 cups of tea or 100 grams (1 cup) of blueberries.

What about coffee?

Interestingly, coffee also contains flavonoids like flavan-3-ols and flavonols, but in much smaller amounts than tea and other flavonoid-rich foods. That means you may not get the same flavonoid-associated benefits from coffee that you would from tea.

Sources:

Put the kettle on! How black tea (and other favourites) may help your health later in life — Edith Cowan University

Higher Habitual Dietary Flavonoid Intake Associates With Less Extensive Abdominal Aortic Calcification in a Cohort of Older Women — Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology

5 Types of Tea That May Help With Weight Loss — Everyday Health

USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods — U.S. Department of Agriculture

Flavonoid research — Edith Cowan University

The post The beverage that helps prevent calcified arteries appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

There are natural ways to stay young, fit and energetic at any age and the number one way is a tea you’re probably not too familiar with…

Matcha tea is a powdered green tea that comes with a list of health benefits you have to see to believe.

But, most importantly, matcha revs up your metabolism, combats aging, detoxifies your body, and ramps up your energy safely — without the side effects of caffeine supplements.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Your body is exposed to an onslaught of chemicals and pollutants daily. Once inside, they travel a superhighway – your circulatory system – reaching every inch of your body and interfering with vital functions. Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™ is formulated with nutrients that help flush these harmful toxins out of your body! MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The power of matcha tea

Much of the amazing benefits of matcha come from the fact that it has 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea.

That means 137 times more free-radical scavenging, inflammation-fighting and anti-aging power — in one little cup!

Matcha tea even beats out those superfoods you hear so much about, like goji berries, pomegranate and acai berries.

This is so important because these antioxidants in matcha tea clean up the damage that time, chemicals and other stressors have heaped on your body, reducing the effects of premature aging and lessening risks for chronic disease.

Weight loss too?

Green tea has already been shown to help rev up your metabolism and accelerate fat loss.

And, considering that a single cup of matcha tea is the equivalent of drinking 10 cups of regular green tea, it’s easy to see how drinking matcha can help you stay fit and trim the easy way.

In fact, one study found that the compounds in this powdered tea can boost your body’s daily calorie burn by 4-5 times.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

More energy as an added bonus

To top it all off, matcha can give you the energy boost you need without the caffeine jitters and keep you going longer without that mid-afternoon crash.

And, since matcha is a rich source of L-theanine that helps you focus and reduce stress, drinking matcha tea can even help you think better and lift brain fog.

Studies show that the combination of caffeine and L-theanine found in matcha improves cognitive performance and keeps you alert. We could all use a cup of that!

That perfect cup of matcha tea

Matcha can be used to make a yummy cup of tea or some really great smoothies.

To make matcha tea, just add 1-2 tsp. of the powder to a cup using a small sifter.  Then add 2oz hot water or milk. For best results, use water just under a boil.  Whisk vigorously in a zig-zag motion until the tea is frothy and add honey, stevia, or agave syrup to sweeten.

For a simple matcha smoothie, slice a banana into one-inch pieces and add it to a blender with 1 cup of milk (almond, cashew, or regular milk are fine), 5 ice cubes, and 1 tsp. of match powder and blend.

You can even use matcha powder in your baking to get more of its nutrients in your daily diet.

If you want to stay young, fit and energetic longer, matcha could be your answer.  With its powerful antioxidants and metabolism-boosting capabilities, it’s worth a try.

Sources:

1. http://matchasource.com/health-benefits-of-matcha-tea/

2. http://matchasource.com/health-benefits-of-matcha-tea/

3. http://matchasource.com/health-benefits-of-matcha-tea/

4. Abdul G Dulloo, Claudette Duret, et al. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 70, No. 6, 1040-1045, December 1999.

5. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/3-surprising-ways-break-through-your-weight-loss-plateau

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21040626

7. https://www.matchasecrets.com/9-easy-everyday-matcha-smoothies-to-get-you-going/

The post The tea that keeps you young, fit and energetic appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

One of the best ways to address all these health issues at once is to drink green tea.

Green tea is full of an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that has anti-inflammatory effects, protecting the heart and brain, promoting weight loss, and controlling blood pressure.

It stands to reason that much of the benefit of green tea is accomplished through our gut.

But until recently, no studies had linked its benefits directly to gut health.

That’s changed…

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Green tea extract reduces gut inflammation

A recently published study from Ohio State University has proven that green tea extract blocks the development of metabolic syndrome by improving gut health.

A 2019 study showed the benefits of green tea extract in mice: lower obesity and improvements in gut health.

In the current follow-up study, 40 participants — 21 with metabolic syndrome and 19 healthy adults —  were given gummy supplements containing green tea extract for 28 days.

The daily dose of supplements was the equivalent of five cups of green tea.

During the study, all participants ate a diet low in polyphenols (antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and tea), so any positive results could be explained by the green tea supplements alone.

The results speak for themselves.

Compared to those taking a placebo, people taking the green tea supplement showed significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels.

At the same time, those taking the supplement showed a decrease in gut inflammation, as well as a less permeable gut.

Gut permeability is a symptom of leaky gut.

When your gut lining is damaged, inflammation starts occurring in your small intestine. This creates an imbalance of bacteria that can lead to high blood sugar, diabetes, and heart disease.

Peak Bladder Support^™

For women, age, childbirth, menopause and hormone fluctuations take a toll on healthy urinary function. For men, an aging body may result in the need for bladder support. Whatever the cause, occasional urinary urgency can… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Other benefits of green tea

Even if you don’t think leaky gut is a problem for you, you’ll want to know about these other remarkable health benefits that come with adding green tea to your diet:

• Lowers stress. Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which lowers the stress hormone cortisol and boosts relaxation-promoting hormones in the brain.
• Protects against cancer. Studies show that the EGCG in green tea may increase levels of a natural anti-cancer protein.
• Preserves brain power. According to numerous studies, green tea is a real brain booster! It’s been shown to protect against oxidative stress, lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, and even lower stroke risk.

If you’re not a fan of green tea, you have some choices…

You could give hibiscus tea a try. It’s also been shown to improve several biomarkers of metabolic syndrome.

And, very recently, good old black tea was also found to reduce risks for cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke.

Sources:

Green tea extract promotes gut health, lowers blood sugar — Science Daily

Catechin-Rich Green Tea Extract Reduced Intestinal Inflammation and Fasting Glucose in Metabolic Syndrome and Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial — Current Developments in Nutrition

The post Sip away these signs of metabolic syndrome appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s because many of them — especially taken as tea — contain natural compounds with some serious health benefits…

Take pu-erh, for example, the tea that helps you drop pounds, cholesterol points and blood sugar levels. Like most well-known herbal teas, pu-erh originates from China.

But an unusual tea you’ve likely never heard of, from a different part of the world, may be stealing the show soon…

Originating in South Africa, rooibos tea (also known as red tea or red bush tea) is a caffeine-free beverage that comes from the Aspalathus linearis shrub. The leaves of the shrub are fermented to create an herbal tea that makes the perfect substitute for regular caffeinated tea.

Like green tea — a well-known potent cancer-fighter — rooibos contains high levels of flavonoids and polyphenols (209.1 ug/mg total compounds), coming in just above the content found in green tea (200.8 ug/mg).

The beneficial compounds in rooibos include aspalathin (the major compound), luteolin, rutin, vitexin, isoorientin and isovitexin, among others. And it’s these very compounds that pack a powerful punch against cancer…

Rooibos decreases inflammation in cells

The development of cancer has a very strong link to increased inflammation in the body’s cells. So anywhere you can find a healing food to help decrease the inflammation abomination, you’re onto a good thing…

Using green tea as a benchmark, researchers put rooibos tea to the test to see if it could decrease inflammatory markers that promote skin cancer. Their findings revealed that after exposure to the sun, rooibos provides protection to skin cells that could switch to cancer, aiding the body to remove any affected cells from the body.

Rooibos prevents oxidative stress

When cancer develops there is a direct imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. This leads to what’s known as oxidative stress and free radical damage to DNA cells.

Rooibos is a potent free radical scavenger, enhancing your antioxidant defences and acting on a variety of reactive oxygen disease-causing species — superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide.

Rooibos may stop the multiplication of cells

Methanol and aqueous extracts in rooibos tea stop proliferation of cancer cells, both premalignant and cancerous cells.

When compared to green tea, which is well known for its cancer preventative power, rooibos was found to have the highest activity against cancerous cell lines.

Rooibos may directly kill cancer cells

Compared to other herbal teas, rooibos can even cause apoptosis (cancer cell death), shown to affect more than 30 percent of cancerous cells.

This action is particularly strong for premalignant cells, where rooibos has been shown to target the genetically altered troublesome cells and give them a kick before they take hold.

Rooibos protects normal cells from becoming cancerous

Researchers have also discovered that rooibos is involved in the removal of precancerous cells, protecting normal cells by arresting the cell cycle progression and cell growth that leads to cancer.

Quite amazing for an herbal tea — rooibos lines up the army to stop those cancer cells charging forward!

You can purchase rooibos tea at any health food outlet and even many supermarkets. Just boil some water, infuse the tea bag or tea leaves for 2-5 minutes and start drinking the benefits. It’s best to drink plain but you can also add milk and sweetener if you prefer.

Sources:

1. Magcwebeba TU, et al. In Vitro Chemopreventive Properties of Green Tea, Rooibos and Honeybush Extracts in Skin Cells. Molecules. 2016;21(12):1622.

2. Magcwebeba T, et al. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Aspalathus linearis and Cyclopia spp. Extracts in a UVB/Keratinocyte (HaCaT) Model Utilising Interleukin-1α Accumulation as Biomarker. Molecules. 2016;21(10):1323.

3. Waisundara VY, et al. Free radical scavenging ability of Aspalathus linearis in two in vitro models of diabetes and cancer. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015;5(3):174–178.

The post A cancer-killing tea you’ve never heard of appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Given how passionate Americans (like my husband) are about their morning cup of joe, I just assumed coffee would take the No. 2 spot. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it’s actually my morning beverage of choice — tea — that’s the second most consumed beverage worldwide.

Even though coffee remains more popular in the U.S. than tea, there are still over 159 million Americans drinking tea on any given day.

And it turns out that’s really good news for many aspects of our well-being…

The health magic of tea

In the Sixth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health, leading nutritionists from around the globe met to discuss the latest evidence on tea’s role in promoting human health.

“There is a growing body of research from around the world demonstrating that drinking tea can enhance human health in many ways,” says symposium chair Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg of Tufts University. “True teas — which include black, green, white, oolong and dark — can contribute significantly to the promotion of public health.”

Many of the health properties of tea can be traced to its flavonoids, naturally occurring compounds that act as antioxidants. The bioactive compounds in these flavonoids help to neutralize free radicals that contribute to chronic disease by causing damage to certain elements in the body like genetic material and lipids.

Your brain on tea

Tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that’s only found in tea and some mushrooms. L-theanine helps promote good mental function.

Research suggests tea may offer significant benefits when it comes to cognitive function.

“The most profound cognitive domain that tea seems to act upon is attention and alertness,” says Dr. Louise Dye of the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. “With these effects on attention, tea is an optimal beverage of choice during a time of elevated stress and burnout worldwide.”

Many studies have consistently shown that a combination of L-theanine and caffeine such as that found in tea can benefit attention task performance.

There is also growing evidence that as few as 1 to 2 cups of tea daily could significantly reduce the risk of vascular dementia and potentially Alzheimer’s disease, notes Dr. Jonathan Hodgson of Edith Cowan University in Australia. Data show a connection between moderate intake of the flavonoids present in tea and reduced risk for cognitive decline.

Stopping the body from attacking itself

Another area tea may help support is the immune system. Research shows that green tea in particular can help increase the body’s resistance to illness.

“In the event you do become sick, tea can help your body respond to illness in a more efficient way by ridding itself of the infection and may also alleviate its severity when they happen,” says Dr. Dayong Wu of Tufts University.

In his comprehensive review of published data, Wu concluded that substances known as catechins in green tea may help the body fight off a variety of pathogens by decreasing the pathogens’ ability to infect the body while at the same time kicking the body’s immune system into gear.

In addition, green tea’s catechins may have the ability to improve autoimmune disorders by suppressing substances that order the immune system to attack the body and enhancing tissue repair.

There is evidence that tea flavonoids may reduce the risk of some cancers through certain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, as well as by modifying the gut microbiota. Some studies indicate tea may reduce the risk of breast, endometrial, liver, biliary tract and oral cancers.

Tea and your heart

Research shows that drinking two cups of unsweetened tea per day has the potential to reduce cardiometabolic disease risk and progression in adults. Each cup of tea consumed daily was associated with an average 1.5 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 4 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, a 4 percent reduction in stroke risk, and a 2 percent decrease in risk of cardiovascular disease events.

Attendees at the symposium observe that clearer recommendations are needed in the current U.S. dietary guidelines to support the growing evidence of tea as a beverage that promotes good health. Such dietary guidance will provide people with a more accurate and relevant direction in their consumption of tea and other flavonoid-containing foods.

“There may be other herbals and botanical products that can deliver health benefits, but none of them are as systematically studied as Camellia sinensis — true tea,” says Dr. Mario Feruzzi of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “With true teas — white, green, black and oolong — you’re dealing with thousands of years of traditional use, 60-70 years of systematic study which, in the last 15-20 years, has ramped up to the point where we have very definitive data.”

Until more specific guidance becomes available, it might be a good idea to add a cup or two of tea to your daily routine. You could switch out one cup of coffee for one of tea or have a glass of unsweetened iced tea with your lunch.

As someone who tends to prefer hot tea, I investigated whether hot or cold tea was better for health. The answer: it depends. Hot tea appears to be better for weight management and improving mental health. However, cold-brewed tea has the same antioxidant and nutritional benefits, so if you prefer iced tea to hot, you’ll still be covered health-wise.

Sources:

From Immune Function and Cognition to Cardiovascular Health and Cancer Prevention – Health Benefits of Tea Revealed by Researchers from Across the Globe — Tea Council of the U.S.A.

NCA releases Atlas of American Coffee — National Coffee Association

Theanine – Uses, Side Effects, And More — WebMD

Scientific opinion on the safety of green tea catechins — EFSA Journal

Hot Tea: Is It Good for You? — Nourish by WebMD

The post These are the reasons you should be drinking tea appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Perhaps every culture drinks tea, uses it as part of rituals, and also relies on its purported healing properties.

China has been consuming tea for some 2,000 years and cultivates five distinct classes: green, red, black, oolong and pu-erh. Pu-erh is a tea unlike any other, with clinically-proven health benefits that can be attributed to a unique fermentation process.

Pu-erh, a microbially-fermented tea

Pu-erh (also spelled pu’er, po lei and bo nay) tea is served with every meal in China because it aids in digestion, promotes bowel regulation, helps shuttle fat through the digestive tract, regulates blood sugar and balances cholesterol.

Pu-erh is in a category of its own because of its special post-fermentation process. Through this process it becomes a true ‘black’ tea; the Chinese consider Assam or Darjeeling teas as ‘red’ teas.

While most teas undergo oxidation via tea plant enzymes, they are not truly fermented. Conversely, pu-erh goes through a post-fermentation process wherein active bacteria, molds, yeast and fungal cultures are added, making it microbially fermented. This unique process makes pu-erh at once unique in flavor but different in its chemical composition, thus lending itself to delivering potent healing properties.

Because pu-erh contains theophylline and the amino acid GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), it is shown useful in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis, anxiety, asthma and arteriosclerosis. Below, we’ll look at a handful of published clinical studies on the healing properties of pu-erh that make it a great addition in helping to keep metabolic syndrome away.

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Weight loss and cholesterol suppression

A study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry which compared studies on the hypolipidemic and growth suppressive effects of oolong, black, pu-erh, and green tea leaves in rats. The study, carried out by the Wun-Shan Branch, Tea Research and Extension Station, Taipei, Taiwan, evaluated the growth suppressive and hypolipidemic effect of these four different teas on male rats for 30 weeks. The results were interesting, indeed. Oolong and Pu-erh teas had the greatest effect on “body weight suppression,” respectively. Pu-erh and oolong also had the greatest lowering effects on levels of triglycerides, but overall pu-erh was more efficient in lower the levels of total cholesterol.

Another study carried out by the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine National Taiwan University, Taipei, and published in the journal Oncology Research, looked at pu-erh’s effects on suppressing fatty acid synthesis (FAS). The researchers fed pu-erh tea leaves to rats and the result was a significant suppression in FAS, and suppression of body weight, levels of triacylglycerol, and total cholesterol.

Cardiovascular disease

Experimental Gerontology published a study on the effects of fermented and unfermented pu-erh tea on weight gain, serum levels of lipids and lipoprotein, lipid oxidation, and blood antioxidant enzymes in rats. Sponsored by the Certificate Assessment Center of Yunnan Pu-erh Tea, Kunming, Yunnan, China, researchers examined the effects of these two kinds of pu-erh against control groups. Results suggest that when compared to unfermented pu-erh and control group, fermented pu-erh tea “exerts strong antioxidative and lipid-lowering effects and therefore can be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders.”

Epilepsy

The Department of Biotechnology, Yuanpei University, Hsinchu, Taiwan published a study in the Journal of Biological Sciences that looked at the effects of pu-erh tea and GABA on oxidative stress in kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. The results found the combination to have “neuroprotective effects against excitotoxins that may have clinical applications in epilepsy.”

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Diabetes

China Daily newspaper published a study on pu-erh’s effective on diabetes, hailing the tea as “a wonder cure for diabetics.” Researchers from Jilin University and the Changchun Science and Technology University in China, studied the effects of pu-erh on reducing blood sugar levels. They used 20 genetically-obese lab rats with high sugar levels, feeding 10 with pu-erh tea and 10 with no tea. After 11 months, 8 rats in the non-tea fed group became diabetic and had sores before dying. All 10 rats in the pu-erh group survived the year and showed no trace of sores or diabetes.

Researchers took the information a step further, comparing pu-erh with the popular blood sugar lowering prescription drug Rosiglitazone. Two weeks into the study found the Rosiglitazone-fed rats had a blood sugar decrease of 36.5%. However, the pu-erh fed rats had a blood sugar reduction of 42%.

These results led the researchers to then conduct a human trial of the same nature. They asked 120 diabetic volunteers to “drink pu-erh regularly and stop their medicines, while making no change to their dietary habits.” Seventy percent of respondents reported a lowering of blood sugar levels to below 7 mmol/L. The average decrease among the group was 35%.

How to enjoy pu-erh

Most often pu-erh is found tightly compressed into round ‘cake’ shapes or bricks that must be pried apart to release chunks for brewing. It is said that each layer of the tea has its own flavor and unique attributes.

Prying the tea apart can be difficult, as some pu-erh are fermented for years and very tightly packed through a special process of piling and pressing.

It seems pu-erh may indeed be a ‘miracle healing tea’ and I can attest to its great taste. I encourage you to give it a try — three times a day to experience the best results overall.

The post The tea that helps you drop pounds, cholesterol points and blood sugar levels appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Metabolic syndrome is another area where researchers are examining hibiscus as a possible therapeutic. This syndrome covers a cluster of conditions including abdominal obesity, hypertension, or high blood pressure, insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides, a type of fat lipids in the blood, and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol. These conditions tend to occur simultaneously and are common precursors to cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.

The number of people suffering from metabolic syndrome is on the rise, so researchers are keen to find effective treatments for it. This is what one research team found when they investigated studies done on hibiscus in metabolic syndrome…

Peak BP Platinum^™

We eat right and exercise to help maintain our blood pressure levels within a normal range. Sometimes it still just isn’t enough. But there are clinically-tested nutritional ingredients that support arterial health to help keep blood pressure levels… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Hibiscus improves several metabolic syndrome biomarkers

In a review of studies involving the use of hibiscus in treating metabolic syndrome in animals and people, researchers found it often improved a number of metabolic syndrome measures. These included blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, weight, lipid absorption and oxidation of fatty acids around the abdominal cavity.

According to the study, higher doses of hibiscus led to greater benefits in some cases, especially for body mass in animals, but lower doses were often equally effective. Most notably, hibiscus was often just as or more effective than pharmaceuticals in improving some biomarkers of metabolic syndrome, particularly blood glucose and insulin sensitivity.

To gather the studies used in the review, the researchers searched for 12 edible species of hibiscus in the Google Scholar database along with 14 keywords associated with metabolic syndrome. They narrowed the results down to 68 articles that met all inclusion criteria, including 18 that tested human subjects and 48 that tested other animals. In terms of the metabolic syndrome biomarkers, 26 studies explored blood glucose or insulin resistance, 41 investigated dyslipidemia, or elevated blood lipids, 23 examined hypertension and 26 studied changes in body mass.

In several animal and one human study, hibiscus, either alone or in combination with a therapeutic diet, was found to lower blood glucose. Multiple animal studies and four human studies showed it lowered cholesterol levels, and many of the animal studies indicated it also raised HDL levels.

In addition, 11 of the 12 human studies of hibiscus in hypertension showed it lowered blood pressure and reduced several markers involved in regulating blood pressure, including heart rate, angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE), aldosterone and serum electrolytes.

The researchers concluded that while hibiscus shows great promise for improving metabolic syndrome, they need to address certain limitations in future work. These include increasing the number and size of human clinical trials and expanding these trials to include people from a greater diversity of ethnicities, especially those most affected by metabolic syndrome. Future research also needs to consider the health and physical activity of human participants.

Finally, the researchers recommend more studies of hibiscus itself, including the influence of growing conditions and extraction and preparation methods on its nutrients, as well as a comparison of the effectiveness of different plant parts and products of hibiscus to a control group.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Best ways to add hibiscus to your diet

Hibiscus can be found in a number of products, including teas, cold beverages, jellies and dietary supplements. One of the quickest and best ways to get its benefits without a lot of additives is to drink it as a tea. You can buy hibiscus tea in bag or loose form at specialty supermarkets, health food stores or online.

Hibiscus tea can be prepared either hot or cold. If you have hibiscus tea bags, simply boil water and steep the tea bag for the time recommended on the package. But if you want the highest quality tea, it’s best to buy loose leaf hibiscus tea or dried hibiscus flowers. When using loose leaf, put the tea in a warmed teapot and boil water, then pour the water over the tea and let it steep for 5 minutes before straining and serving. Be careful when handling the tea because it will stain whatever it’s spilled on.

If you want to prepare it in larger batches, you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time. Place one cup of dried hibiscus flowers in 8 cups of cold water and let it steep for 1 to 2 days, or until the color has faded from the flowers. Once you’ve strained the tea through a fine sieve, you can either heat it up or serve chilled or over ice.

Sources:

A review of the effectiveness of hibiscus for treatment of metabolic syndrome — Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Dried Hibiscus Tea — The Spruce Eats

Hibiscus Tea: What It is, Steps to Make It Properly, and Benefits — Oh, How Civilized

The post The tea that tames metabolic syndrome appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If you alter certain health and lifestyle factors, heart disease can be avoidable for most people. And number one on the list of those modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (and even for premature death) is high blood pressure.

Yup, simply by lowering your blood pressure, you can avoid ending up with heart disease and dying early.

Okay, I hear you…

Lowering your blood pressure, while necessary, can be challenging. After all, to get your blood pressure down, your doctor recommends changing your diet, getting more exercise or taking medications that come with their own unwanted health problems.

But there’s good news…

A brand new study has found that lowering your blood pressure can be as simple, and as enjoyable, as drinking a cup of tea.

Peak BP Platinum^™

We eat right and exercise to help maintain our blood pressure levels within a normal range. Sometimes it still just isn’t enough. But there are clinically-tested nutritional ingredients that support arterial health to help keep blood pressure levels… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Tea catechins lower blood pressure

The study, from researchers at the University of California, Irvine has finally demonstrated what other research has only guessed at. Not only does drinking tea have the power to lower your blood pressure, it does it by activating ion channel proteins in the walls of your blood vessels.

And it’s all thanks to compounds known as catechins.

The results of the research have revealed that two specific catechin-type flavonoid compounds (epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate) are capable of activating a specific type of ion channel protein named KCNQ5.

And here’s where it gets good…

When the tea catechins activate this channel, potassium ions diffuse out of cells reducing their cellular excitability. And since KCNQ5 is found in the smooth endothelial muscle that lines each and every one of your blood vessels, drinking tea is like a day at the spa for your veins and arteries.

The catechins relax them!

And relaxed blood vessels mean easier blood flow, less pressure on your heart to pump (since it doesn’t have to force your blood through constricted vessels) and therefore, lower blood pressure.

So drink up for better blood pressure!

Choosing and preparing your tea

Of course, if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering, “When it comes to lowering blood pressure, is all tea created equal? And does how I drink it matter?”

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The good news is, whichever tea you like and however you like to drink it is perfect!

The researchers say that green, oolong and black tea all have the necessary catechins to deliver blood pressure help. And even though their research showed that in the lab, milk blocked the ion channel that relaxes blood vessels, in your body, the environment of your stomach will separate out the proteins responsible for this blockage, so you still get the benefits.

It also doesn’t make a difference if you drink your tea iced or hot. The team was able to show that simply heating tea up to 37 degrees Celsius (or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) is the most effective temperature for that ion channel activation.

And since that’s normal body temperature, it’s all good!

Enjoy your tea hot or cold for better blood pressure and make it a part of your daily life. Oh, and avoid adding sugar! Try just a little honey if needed.

When it comes to green tea, however, don’t overdo it. Here are recommendations on drinking safe levels of green tea.

Sources:

New discovery explains antihypertensive properties of green and black tea — ScienceDaily

Heart Disease Is World’s No. 1 Killer — WebMD

The post Tea’s blood pressure-lowering compounds identified appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

From counting calories and giving up carbs to hitting the gym and practicing fasting, sticking to your diet goals can begin to seem impossible.

Yet, what if you could lose weight while you sleep by firing up your metabolism and having it run all night long?

Sound too good to be true?

Maybe… but that’s exactly what researchers say drinking oolong tea could do for you.

Peak D3^™

When you step out into the sunlight, your body begins the process of making vitamin D. But getting the ideal amount can be difficult because some of us can’t effectively absorb it. That’s just one of many reasons the vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The health benefits of tea

You see, while all tea comes from the same plant (called Camellia sinensis), they’re all a bit different thanks to a chemical reaction known as oxidation. It’s the reaction that is responsible for turning tea leaves black.

The higher the oxidation, the darker the tea and the deeper the flavor.

So as you can probably guess, green tea with its green leaves is unoxidized and milder in flavor. At the other end of the spectrum is black tea, which is fully oxidized and more robust.

And you’ve probably heard of the health benefits these two types of teas have to offer.

The polyphenols and antioxidants in green tea are known for:

• Decreasing tumor growth
• Reducing mortality due to heart disease
• Lowering cholesterol and stroke risk
• Improving cognitive function

And black tea is no slouch in the health department either…

It’s been shown to help with alertness and energy, may have some of the same anti-cancer properties as green tea, and does its part to keep your heart healthy as well.

Breaking down the fat while you get your ZZZ’s

Yet, while all of this has been widely known for quite a while now, the possible health benefits of a tea that falls right in the middle of green and black have been a bit of a mystery.

That’s why researchers at the University of Tsukuba decided to check it out.

Oolong tea is only partially oxidized. This gives it some of the characteristics of both green and black tea. And like all teas, oolong contains caffeine, giving it the power to increase your metabolism.

Yet, past studies had shown that drinking tea might boost fat breakdown independent of the effects of caffeine. And the researchers wanted to see if oolong had that capability.

And guess what…

It did!

In fact, the team found that drinking either oolong or pure caffeine actually increased fat breakdown by a whopping 20 percent in healthy volunteers compared to a placebo!

And it gets even better.

The study showed that the effects of oolong tea continued while the participants were asleep.

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Yup, they were burning up fat to lose weight as they snoozed.

And if you’re worried about the caffeine in oolong keeping you awake at night, the researchers say don’t be.

They found that there was no noticeable difference in sleep patterns or the time it took participants to fall asleep between the oolong drinkers and placebo groups, indicating that drinking oolong tea is unlikely to prevent you from getting a good night’s rest. However, if you are especially sensitive to caffeine, don’t drink close to your normal bedtime.

The idea of burning fat in my sleep certainly makes for some sweet dreams.

Sources:

What are the health benefits of green tea? — MedicalNewsToday

Black Tea — WebMD

Beating the bulge with a nice cup of tea — EurekAlert!

The post The tea that helps you burn fat in your dreams appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

To keep your cancer risk down or to keep your metabolism up.

These are two of green tea’s most popular perks. But green tea has a huge benefit that most people forget about…

It’s antibacterial.

Green tea goes to bat against a variety of disease-causing bacteria… including bacteria that targets your mouth (like Streptococcus mutans) and skin (like Staphylococcus aureus).

And a new study shows it may even work against a potentially deadly bacterial lung infection that’s becoming resistant to conventional antibiotics…

Powerful green tea compound targets TB

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore just discovered that a compound in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could stop the growth of a bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

In their study, researchers looked at 20 different compounds to see how they impacted bacterial cells from bacteria strains in the same family as M. tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

EGCG was the only compound that could block the energy supply to these bacterial cells. By blocking their energy supply, ECGC prevents these bacterial cells from completing important cell processes necessary for survival. They become unstable and eventually die. In other words? EGCG could kill the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Now, in case you don’t know, tuberculosis typically affects the lungs and it can make you pretty dang sick. It can even kill you. People with tuberculosis usually develop symptoms like coughing, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.

There are prescription antibiotics that can treat tuberculosis. But like a lot of bacterial diseases, tuberculosis is becoming more resistant to antibiotics. In fact, there’s a strain of the disease known as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) that doesn’t respond to the antibiotics most often used to treat TB. Only 56 percent of people with MDR-TB are treated successfully.

Peak Cardio Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutrients Help Arteries and Cardiovascular Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Adding green tea to your antibacterial arsenal

About 1.5 million people died from tuberculosis worldwide in 2018. That’s a lot of people… which is why this discovery about EGCG is so promising.

And like I mentioned earlier, ECGC doesn’t only act against bacteria in the tuberculosis family. It acts against Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that causes plaque in your mouth, contributes to cavities, and leads to tooth decay.

It also acts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria that causes respiratory tract and bloodstream infections and is becoming more and more antibiotic-resistant. It can even work against notorious superbugs like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli).

So, next time you’re looking for a natural remedy that packs an anti-bacterial punch, don’t forget about green tea. You can drink a few glasses of green tea per day to help keep bacterial buggers at bay internally. Or you can apply cooled green tea externally as an antiseptic. Research shows it can speed up the time it takes wounds to heal.

Sources:

1. Compound in green tea plant shows potential for fighting tuberculosis — MedicalXpress
2. Disrupting coupling within mycobacterial F-ATP synthases subunit ε causes dysregulated energy production and cell wall biosynthesis — Scientific Reports
3. 10 Proven Benefits of Green Tea — Healthline
4. The antimicrobial possibilities of green tea — Frontiers in Microbiology
5. Tuberculosis — World Health Organization
6. Trends in Tuberculosis, 2018 — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
7. Effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract on healing process of surgical wounds in rat — International Journal of Surgery
8. Bactericidal activity of green tea extracts: the importance of catechin containing nanoparticles — Scientific Reports

The post The antibacterial drink strong enough to go after TB appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In fact, I doubt there are many people who can’t name at least a handful of the most well-known superfoods, like blueberries, salmon, spinach, and broccoli.

But, did you know that despite what the name suggests — that all of the powerful disease fighters are food — there is a drink that is included at the top of that list.

Yup, tea is a superfood and with good reason.

Research has shown that drinking tea can improve your mood and fight off heart disease. A 2017 study even found that drinking tea daily can reduce your risk of cognitive decline by a full 50 percent!

Now, brand new scientific evidence from a team of researchers at from the National University of Singapore (NUS),  is showing that tea has one more reason to take the spot of most important superfood — the ability to organize your brain more efficiently — an ability that researchers say is most likely behind the cognitive function benefits the drink delivers.

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Interconnecting brain regions

The researchers followed 36 older adults (age 60 and up) to gather data about their health, lifestyle, and psychological well-being, specifically looking at how often they enjoyed a nice cup of tea. The participants also underwent neuropsychological tests and brain imaging to determine how well they had resisted the cognitive decline that’s so often associated with aging and how well their brains functioned.

And, guess what…

Upon analyzing the participants’ cognitive performance and imaging results, the research team found that people who consumed tea at least four times a week for about 25 years had brain regions that were interconnected in a more efficient way.

Related: 9 herbal teas to help tame your tummy, blood sugar, cholesterol, and sleep problems

Here’s how the team explained the phenomenon…

“Take the analogy of road traffic as an example — consider brain regions as destinations, while the connections between brain regions are roads. When a road system is better organized, the movement of vehicles and passengers is more efficient and uses less resources. Similarly, when the connections between brain regions are more structured, information processing can be performed more efficiently,” said Assistant Professor Feng Lei, from the Department of Psychological Medicine at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

In other words, drinking more tea — whether you prefer green tea, oolong tea, or black — leads to better-organized brain regions, which in turn leads to healthy cognitive function no matter your age.

Sources:

1. Drinking tea improves brain health, study suggests — National University of Singapore

The post Tea is the tops for a well-working brain and now we know why appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Camellia sinensis is an evergreen shrub that’s native to Asia and India. The leaves from this simple shrub make all true (not herbal) teas possible — black, oolong, white, pu-erh. And, of course, my favorite— green tea.

Green tea is the tea I’m most grateful for — and you should give thanks for this natural wonder too. It’s amazing. Think about it….

Green tea contains polyphenols that lower inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer. And compounds that protect your brain from neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It contains caffeine that boosts your brain function. And the amino acid L-theanine, which reduces anxiety. It makes your metabolism work better. And it kills bacteria and viruses.

What more could you ask for?

Related: The tea that helps you drop pounds, cholesterol points, and blood sugar levels

Nothing really. But a new study just discovered that green tea has another gift for humankind anyway…

It could fight antibiotic resistance.

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

This green tea compound makes antibiotics effective again

You probably know that dangerous bacteria are becoming resistant to our antibiotics and putting us in a bit of a pickle. Well, one of those dangerous bacteria is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes major respiratory tract and bloodstream infections. Doctors are constantly scrambling to keep up with this pesky pathogen because it keeps developing resistance to different antibiotics. Right now, it’s treated with several antibiotics at once. These antibiotics are the last line of defense in modern medicine’s arsenal, but it’s already becoming resistant to those.

We need to find a solution quickly, otherwise, a lot of people could die from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Luckily, a new study shows the answer may be somewhere no one thought to look until recently — at the bottom of a teacup.

It turns out, a compound in green tea — epigallocatechin (EGCG) — can make an antibiotic called aztreonam work against this bacteria again.

Researchers combined EGCG and aztreonam and watched as they successfully killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in test tube studies. In fact, the two compounds together were far more effective at killing the bacteria than either was alone.

They tested this dynamic duo in Greater Wax Moth larvae infected with the bacteria too. And guess what? Survival rates for larvae treated with EGCG and aztreonam were much higher.

Why would EGCG make antibiotics more effective?

We don’t quite know the answer yet. Here are two theories, though. It may make bacteria more permeable, which allows antibiotics to penetrate them better. Or it could affect the way bacteria express genes that make it resistant or susceptible to antibiotics.

Go green (with your tea)

I’m sure researchers will keep us posted on the progress they make with this green tea compound that has the potential to save humankind from antibiotic resistance. In the meantime, why not save yourself from all sorts of stuff?

Drink green tea daily. Three to five cups per day is optimum if you can handle the caffeine. And here’s a little something you may not know…

If you microwave your green tea, you increase the amount of beneficial antioxidants in it. So, give that a try.

Sources:

1. Green tea could hold the key to reducing antibiotic resistance — MedicalXpress
2. Restoring the activity of the antibiotic aztreonam using the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa — Journal of Medical Microbiology
3. 10 Proven Benefits of Green Tea — Healthline
4. How Much Green Tea Should You Drink Per Day? — Healthline

The post Is the answer to antibiotic resistance in the bottom of your teacup? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It’s a nightmare diagnosis all women fear. I know I do, especially after seeing the aftermath first-hand.

It’s also one that can seem to come out of nowhere. That’s because even though a small portion of breast cancers are genetic, a whopping 85 percent of women diagnosed have absolutely no family history.

Luckily, there are a number of ways to lower your risk including:

• Getting enough vitamin D
• Avoiding foods that cause breast cancer to spread
• Taking olive oil daily
• And, getting the right type of omega-3s to turn off inflammation that can trigger breast cancer

Now, a new study, published in the journal Anticancer Research, has found one more option for decreasing your risk of ever living the nightmare of breast cancer — and it’s as simple as drinking something you’ll actually enjoy each day.

Tea, anyone?

The secret is oolong tea, a traditional Chinese tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.

And, while green tea has been extensively studied for its power to combat cancer, oolong has been largely ignored previously.

That’s all changed thanks to a research team out of Saint Louis University.

The team examined the effects of oolong extract versus extracts of green, black and dark teas on six different breast cancer cell lines, including triple negative breast cancer cells (a type of cancer that’s immune to many of the common treatments).

And, they found that both green tea and oolong tea stopped the growth of all types of cancer cells.

In fact, the researchers said, “Oolong tea, same as green tea, can induce DNA damage and cleavage, play an inhibitory role in breast cancer cell growth, proliferation and tumorigenesis and [it has] great potential as a chemopreventative agent against breast cancer.”

On the other hand, black tea, as well as all types of dark tea, had no effect whatsoever.

50 percent reduced risk in those who drink the most

After discovering these amazing results, the scientists took their study a step further…

They then went through the cancer registry for both China as a whole and the Fujian province where oolong tea originates. And, they discovered that people in Fujian are 35 percent less likely to develop breast cancer and 38 percent less likely to die from breast cancer than the rest of China.

Not only that…

The people who drink the most oolong have a 25 percent lower risk of breast cancer than the average Fujian resident and an incredible 50 percent lower risk than the national average.

Can you imagine?

You could lower your risk of breast cancer by as much as 50 percent just by drinking oolong tea regularly.

And, there’s more good news…

Oolong actually tastes good too. In fact, I’ve been drinking it for years simply because I like the flavor.

So, brew yourself some oolong tea today and every day for better breast cancer protection. But remember, avoid adding disease-causing sugar. If you need a little sweetness, consider a bit of honey.

Sources:

1. The foods that help breast cancer spread — Easy Health Options®
2. This Chinese tea may protect you against breast cancer — Specialty Medical Dialogues
3. Triple Negative Breast Cancer — National Breast Cancer Foundation

The post The drink that helps lower breast cancer risk by half appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But green tea’s star power is fading. Coffee’s reputation has bounced back now that research shows it can cut the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s, depression, Parkinson’s, heart disease and more.

And plenty of recent studies show that black tea has the same health benefits as the green stuff… which may explain why green tea sales are slipping.

But before you toss those green tea satchels in the trash, you should know that there’s still something green tea can offer that black tea and coffee can’t — lots and lots of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG).

EGCG is an antioxidant compound known for its amazing anti-cancer properties. It also helps prevent diabetes, atherosclerosis, inflammation and more.

To clarify, black tea does contain some EGCG. Green tea just contains about four times more. Coffee doesn’t contain any EGCG (but it does contain other healthy antioxidants).

In other words?

It’s probably still worth sipping on green tea from time to time just for this healthy antioxidant. But when you do, follow a simple trick to get as much EGCG as you can in each cup…

Bottled water boosts green tea’s antioxidant potential

A recent study from Cornell University revealed that you can double the EGCG content of green tea by brewing it with bottled water rather than tap. Researchers believe the difference results from the lack of minerals in bottled water.

You see, tap water contains minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, and copper. But, according to researchers, these minerals prevent EGCG from being extracted as efficiently.

“If you’re drinking green tea for its health properties, you should be using bottled water,” said Robin Dando, study researcher and Cornell associate professor of food science.

But here’s the catch…

The thing about extra antioxidants is they make green tea taste more bitter. People who tried green tea brewed with tap water and green tea brewed with bottled water preferred the taste of the green tea brewed with tap water.

So, researchers say if you’re just in it for taste, you may want to stick to tap water. But if you’re reading this article, I’m guessing you’re not.

Getting the most antioxidants (and health benefits) from each cup of green tea

So, a healthy cup of green tea contains at least two ingredients: green tea and bottled water. But you may be wondering if there are other ways to make your green tea healthier. And the answer is…

Heck, yes!

Research shows that microwaving your green tea boosts its antioxidant content, so that’s another way to get the most from each cup.

You should also choose organic tea because non-organic teas (green or otherwise) are packed with pesticides. One study even found that green tea can raise your diabetes risk (which is confusing since other studies show it can lower diabetes risk). But researchers believe they know why green tea had a negative effect on diabetes in certain cases: the pesticides sprayed on non-organic tea.

So, go bottled, go organic, and you’ll get the best health benefits green tea has to offer.

Sources:

1. Tap or bottled? Water composition impacts health benefits of tea — MedicalXpress
2. The Influence of Water Composition on Flavor and Nutrient Extraction in Green and Black Tea — Nutrients
3. The latest scoop on the health benefits of coffee — Harvard Health Blog
4. Does coffee offer health benefits? — Mayo Clinic
5. Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Is the Most Effective Cancer Chemopreventive Polyphenol in Green Tea — Nutrients
6. Tea Fact Sheet – 2018-2019 — Tea Association of the U.S.A.
7. Molecular understanding of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases — Journal of Ethnopharmacology

The post The simplest way to supersize the cancer-fighting power of green tea appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It improves brain function. It speeds up your metabolism. It lowers your risk of certain cancers. It keeps your teeth healthy. And it even lowers your risk for type 2 diabetes… or does it?

When it comes to type 2 diabetes, doubt’s been thrown into the equation recently.

After years of being the diabetes-fighting beverage of choice, new research shows green tea may not protect you from type 2 diabetes after all.

In fact, it may even increase your risk…

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Green tea grows your diabetes risk

A Chinese study published in International Journal of Epidemiology found that people who drink green tea have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

The study included 119,373 participants from the Shanghai Women’s Health Study and Shanghai Men’s Health Study. None of them had diabetes when the study started. Researchers followed up with study participants several times: within five years, within five to ten years, and after 10 years.

Those who drank green tea were about 20 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes during the study period than those who didn’t. The more green tea they drank and the longer they’d been drinking it, the higher the risk. For some heavy drinkers, the risk rose to 29 percent.

The connection held true for men and women. And it didn’t matter whether they were obese or smoked. Green tea paved the way for type 2 diabetes regardless.

Read: The ‘diabetes’ spice that beat metformin

How is this possible?

Researchers think it’s probably because of pesticides.

Even though green tea is packed full of healthy antioxidants, it’s also filled with pesticides. There have been other studies where tea’s been tied to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers in those studies identified pesticides as the most likely culprit. And researchers from this study think the same is probably true.

Previous research does show, after all, that pesticide exposure increases type 2 diabetes risk. So, it’s a sound theory.

Should you stop drinking green tea?

If you’re someone who enjoys a cup of green tea daily, don’t let this study derail you from your healthy habit.

There’s still an abundance of evidence that green tea helps rather than harms your health. So rather than ditching green tea for another beverage, make sure the green tea you drink isn’t doused in pesticides.

How do you do that?

Go organic, of course!

Always buy certified organic, non-GMO tea to make sure what you’re putting in your body is good for you. There are other ways you can make your daily cup of tea healthier too, like:

• Avoiding add-ons like sugar and cream. Who needs the extra calories and blood sugar spike?
• Skipping teas with any additives. Ingredients like natural flavors, soy lecithin, cornstarch, corn syrup are often GMO. And there’s no reason these things need to be in our tea anyhow.
• Making tea with filtered water. Depending on where you live, your tap water could contain ingredients that contribute to type 2 diabetes and other health issues too.
• Choosing loose leaf tea. A lot of tea bags are made with plastics or treated with chemicals. So, loose leaf tea is your safest option unless you’re 100 percent positive the brand your buying invests in healthy bags.

Sources:

1. Green tea and diabetes — MedicalXpress.
2. Green tea consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese adults: the Shanghai Women’s Health Study and the Shanghai Men’s Health Study — International Journal of Epidemiology
3. 10 Proven Benefits of Green Tea — Healthline
4. Are You Drinking Toxic Tea? Here’s How To Avoid Pesticides & Heavy Metals — MindBodyGreen

The post The healthy tea that raises diabetes risk 20 percent appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And that’s good advice.

You only have one body, after all. And it has to last you for a while. So, why not treat it with respect and love?

You can do that by nourishing it with healthy ceremonies (aka habits) that contribute to its well-being. And do you know a great place to start?

With a matcha green tea ceremony.

What’s matcha, and what can it do for you?

If you’re not already familiar with matcha green tea, it’s a powdered version of classic green tea that’s super popular nowadays. People drink it, bake with it, cook with it and more.

But matcha green tea isn’t just some new fad, it has ancient roots in Japanese culture. It’s used in traditional tea ceremonies that encourage mindfulness and “present moment” awareness.

What better way to take care of your body than to turn down your cortisol levels with a stress-relieving mindfulness tea ceremony, am I right?

But stress relief isn’t all matcha has to offer. Sure, you can use matcha as a tasty form of meditation. But even if you don’t, it has some major benefits for your body.

Studies show matcha can protect you from premature aging, help you lose weight, give you an energy boost… and even kill cancer cells.

Matcha green tea vs. cancer

Researchers from the Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Salford recently found that matcha goes after breast cancer stem cells in some remarkable ways.

In case you don’t know, cancer stem cells are cells within a tumor that can reproduce, causing cancer to spread. But matcha green tea puts these cancer stem cells in their place…

Even at small doses, matcha green tea caused these dangerous cells to become dormant, so they couldn’t reproduce and spread.

“The effects on human breast cancer cells were very striking, the active ingredients in matcha having a surgical effect in knocking out certain signaling pathways. Our results are consistent with the idea that matcha may have significant therapeutic potential, mediating the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells,” said Michael Lisanti, professor of translational medicine at the Biomedical Research Centre.

Basically, matcha green tea reprograms cancer cells in a way that prevents them from refueling. Eventually, they become inactive and die. And, as we all know, the only good cancer cell is a dead one.

Making matcha a part of your life

Want to know where all matcha’s amazing benefits come from? From all it’s amazing antioxidants, of course!

Regular green tea is one of the most antioxidant-packed drinks around. But matcha tea has 137 times more antioxidants than the regular stuff.

Matcha also contains vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc, magnesium and the amino acid L-theanine, which promotes relaxation.

If you’re interested in the ceremonial side of matcha, here’s a video that shows you how to have a traditional Japanese matcha green tea ceremony.

Of course, you don’t need to have a traditional ceremony to nourish your body with matcha.

Just purchase some matcha powder (ceremonial grade matcha is best). Then, use a small sifter to put one to two tablespoons of matcha powder in a teacup. Pour in two ounces of hot water or milk and whisk until frothy. You can add a sweetener if you’d like, but a lot of people like matcha’s earthy flavor unsweetened.

If you’d rather eat your matcha than drink it, head to Pinterest and do a quick search for matcha recipes (and be sure to follow us!). You’ll find everything from matcha brownies to matcha rice. So, there are plenty of ways to get this antioxidant-packed tea into your tummy and take care of yourself.

Sources:

1. Are Stem Cells Involved in Cancer? — National Institutes of Health.
2. What Is Matcha Tea? — Prevention.
3. Matcha green tea kills cancer stem cells in tests — MedicalXpress.
4. Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways — Aging.

The post The antioxidant-packed tea that kills cancer stem cells appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

You limit sweets, cut back on refined carbs and increase your intake of blood-sugar balancing foods like whole grains, fresh vegetables and healthy proteins.

But how much do you think about your beverage choices?

I’m sure you know that washing down your healthy meals with sugary sodas, artificially-sweetened diet drinks or deceivingly sweet juices won’t do your blood sugar any favors. But there are other beverages that you may be less certain about… like caffeinated beverages. Are they good or bad for your diabetes?

The answer is complicated. On one hand, studies show that drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea can reduce your risk of getting diabetes in the first place. But research on how caffeinated beverages affect people who already have diabetes is mixed. Sometimes caffeine lowers blood sugar. Sometimes it raises it.

All that considered, caffeine could ultimately be a very good thing for diabetics when used the right way…

In fact, promising new research shows caffeine could be the future of diabetes treatment.

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The caffeine cure for diabetes

A recent study from researchers in Sweden shows that caffeine can be used to trigger genetic changes that lower blood sugar and increase insulin levels.

These researchers invented a synthetic genetic system in cells that responds to caffeine molecules by switching certain diabetes-related genes on and off. Then they implanted these cells in the abdomens of mice with type II diabetes.

Every time diabetic mice drank a sip of coffee, the caffeinated beverage caused the synthetic cells to release a hormone that encouraged the release of insulin and lowered blood sugar. In other words, sipping coffee successfully treated their diabetes.

Wouldn’t it be nice if coffee could do the same for you?

Right now, this diabetes remedy requires some heavy-duty science to work. Researchers still have to create a similar system for humans, which is something they hope to do in the future. But it’s going take a lot of time and research first.

They’d even like create a personalized system that’s tailored to each person’s typical caffeine intake. Pretty cool, right?

Other diabetes-fighting drinks

Clearly, you can’t implant a synthetic genetic system in your body to cure your diabetes right now. And maybe you’d never want to anyway. Still, it’s pretty amazing what scientists can accomplish with a bit of creativity and a natural compound like caffeine.

But since you’re looking for practical solutions to improve your diabetes right now, why not consider other drinks that have the power to improve blood sugar and insulin levels?

You could try non-alcoholic berry wine. A 2016 study found that a wine made from 70 percent fermented blackberries and 30 percent fermented blueberries treated diabetes in mice better than prescription medication.

Researchers think it’s because berries contain a certain type of flavonoid called anthocyanins. And if that’s true, then eating berries or drinking berry juices should help diabetes too. Although, fresh berries and juices aren’t fermented like wine, and fermentation increases the number of anthocyanins. So, if you can get your hands on non-alcoholic berry wine or even berry-infused kombucha, give it a try.

According to Easy Health Options contributor Dr. Mark Wiley, pu-erh tea is another drink you should try if you have diabetes. Research shows this popular fermented Chinese tea can lower blood sugar in rats and people.

But what about your morning cup of coffee? Can you still drink that if you have diabetes?

Yep. Just don’t overdo it. And don’t add a bunch of sugar and creamer that will up your calorie intake and raise your blood sugar.

The truth is, caffeinated beverages affect everyone differently… especially people with diabetes. So, perform your own at-home experiment. Test your blood sugar levels before and after your morning cup of Joe.

You may notice coffee changes your blood sugar reading for the better… or not. Either way, you’ll know whether caffeine is helping or hurting your diabetes.

The post Is caffeine good or bad for diabetes? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But guess what? The doctor thought my cholesterol levels were a tad borderline, so of course, he wanted me to jump on the statin bandwagon.

Fortunately, I’ve researched enough to know that most doctors would have you take statins like vitamins… and I’m not willing to accept a prescription for disease.

Besides the increased risk of Parkinson’s and diabetes, who wants side effects like nausea, muscle pain, vomiting, dizziness, memory loss or headaches? Or worse, dementia.

Recently, researchers found lipophilic statin users showed a substantial decline in metabolism in the posterior cingulate cortex. This is the region of the brain known to decline the most significantly in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Sure, I’m all in when it comes to keeping my cholesterol balanced, but why would I do it with drugs that cause all those side effects when I can do it naturally?

In fact, these are the six simple steps I plan to take to keep my cholesterol where I need it to be…

Cholesterol-Lowering Step #1 — Go Keto

The first step is to change your diet.

Okay, I can hear the groaning now but stick with me.

Scientific studies have proven that changing to the low carb, high fat and moderate protein way of eating embraced by keto dieters everywhere can dramatically improve your cholesterol levels and put you on the path to heart health.

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Cholesterol-Lowering Step #2 — Drink more tea

A recent study from researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that drinking tea can help you hang on to that healthy HDL cholesterol as you age.

In the study, both black and green tea slowed the loss of HDL cholesterol. Researchers believe that’s because both types of tea contain antioxidant compounds called polyphenols and catechins, which fight inflammation. (Don’t ruin it with sugar, though).

Cholesterol-Lowering Step #3 — Lose a few pounds

Did you know that losing just 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight can have a big impact on your cardiovascular risk factors?

That’s right…

A small weight loss adds up to big gains when it comes to your heart health.

In fact, following the keto diet helped obese patients lower their weight quite a bit while lowering their triglycerides, LDL and blood glucose and increasing their HDL or good cholesterol.

Cholesterol-Lowering Step #4 — Get more fiber

Soluble fiber has been shown to reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream because it binds cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system and drags them out of the body before they get into circulation.

In fact, just five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your total cholesterol levels as well as your LDL or bad cholesterol. Psyllium husk is a great source of soluble fiber.

Cholesterol-Lowering Step #5 — Kick the habit

Smoking lowers your HDL (the good stuff) while raising your LDL (the bad cholesterol). So, if you want to lower your cholesterol, it’s time to kick the habit for good.

Sources:

Side Effects of Cholesterol-Lowering Statin Drugs — WebMD

A Ketogenic Diet Favorably Affects Serum Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Disease in Normal-Weight Men — American Society for Nutritional Sciences

A Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet versus a Low-Fat Diet To Treat Obesity and Hyperlipidemia — Annals of Internal Medicine

Long-term effects of a ketogenic diet in obese patients — Experimental & Clinical Cardiology

[The effect of cigarette smoking on HDL-cholesterol level] — Medical Archives

Beneficial Effects of Red Yeast Rice on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity, Hyperlipidemia, and Fatty Liver in Mice — Journal of Medicinal Food

Red yeast rice — Mayo Clinic

The post 6 ways to manage cholesterol without drugs or disease risk appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

HDL cholesterol (also known as “good” cholesterol) absorbs LDL cholesterol (the “bad” stuff that raises your risk for heart disease and stroke) and transports it to the liver so your body can get rid of it. But research shows that as you age, the amount of HDL cholesterol in your bloodstream gradually declines.

Without enough HDL cholesterol, your body’s up a creek without a way to dispose of that excess artery-clogging cholesterol. That’s probably why your heart disease risk increases with age. But that’s not all…

Studies show that having less HDL cholesterol is also tied to frailty, worse muscle strength and poor physical performance as you age.

So, you want more HDL cholesterol around as you age. And there’s an easy way to get it… embrace your inner Brit and develop a taste for tea.

Drink tea for healthier HDL

A recent study from researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that drinking tea can help you hang on to that healthy HDL cholesterol as you age.

The study followed 80,000 people from the Kailuan community of Tangshan, China for six years. At the end of the study, people who drank more tea lost less HDL cholesterol as thy aged.

The HDL cholesterol that they hung on to was enough to give them an eight percent lower risk of heart disease.

Related: Cholesterol is the best brain food

The connection between tea drinking and HDL was found in people of both sexes and all ages, but researchers found that the connection was strongest in men and people over 60.

So, if you want to hang on to your HDL cholesterol (trust me… you do), then drink up.

Peak Cardio Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutrients Help Arteries and Cardiovascular Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The best tea for cholesterol

You may be wondering… will any tea do the trick when it comes to maintaining healthy HDL cholesterol levels? Or do I have to drink a specific kind?

In the study, both black and green tea slowed the loss of HDL cholesterol. Researchers believe that’s because both types of tea contain antioxidant compounds called polyphenols and catechins, which fight inflammation.

Related: The superjuice that keeps your arteries loose

That said, green tea was slightly more effective. So, if you like both types, you might want to reach for green more often. But if you really are like the Brits and you prefer black tea, that will help your cholesterol levels and your heart health too.

Of course, if you’re not a tea lover, don’t worry. There are other ways to boost your HDL levels. Like eating almonds and eggs.

Sources:

1. LDL and HDL Cholesterol: “Bad” and “Good” Cholesterol — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. HDL-cholesterol and physical performance: results from the ageing and longevity study in the sirente geographic area ( ilSIRENTE Study) — Age and Ageing.
3. Aging affects high-density lipoprotein composition and function — Biochimica et Biophysica Acta.
4. Can a daily cup of tea do a heart good? — ScienceDaily.

The post The best drink for balanced cholesterol appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

You’re not alone. Most of us get our daily dose of caffeine from a plant that’s been shipped to us from halfway across the world.

But there was a time when Americans got their caffeine fix from a source far closer to home…

They drank tea made from the leaves of a native north American plant — the only native plant in the U.S. that produces caffeine — yaupon.

Unless you’re from the South, you’ve probably never heard of yaupon. That’s where it grows. But even some southerners who pass by this plant daily don’t know that it’s a potent source of caffeine and antioxidants.

So why aren’t more Americans taking advantage of this healthy, caffeinated plant that grows in their own backyard?

That’s a good question… with an interesting answer…

The history of yaupon tea

Yaupon holly is an evergreen shrub with beautiful bright red berries that grows naturally in the southeastern United States. Native Americans made yaupon’s leaves into a tea that they drank and used in rituals (the berries should not be consumed). Early settlers drank yaupon tea too. They even exported it to Europe.

So, what happened to yaupon?

Well, it goes by a few other aliases besides yaupon, including cassina and its Latin name Ilex vomitoria. If you look closely at its Latin name, you may guess why yaupon tea hasn’t become the morning staple that other teas have…

The Latin name Vomitoria makes it sound like yaupon has an unpleasant side effect — vomiting. It doesn’t. Scientists have studied it to make sure. And people in the South have been drinking yaupon on and off for centuries without a problem. So, why was it given this name?

Some say it’s because yaupon was used in a Native American purification ritual that involved vomiting (although, the vomiting had nothing to do with the yaupon itself).

But another theory suggests the botanist and horticulturist who named it, William Aiton, was trying to protect the British tea trade by sabotaging a potential competitor. Tea was big business back then and Aiton ran in a circle with a lot of upper class British people who had a financial interest in the tea trade, so the idea’s not that outlandish.

If that was Aiton’s intent, it worked. The name Vomitoria scared people off. That’s why today, Americans drink caffeinated beverages imported from other countries, rather than homegrown yaupon tea. And it’s a shame, because yaupon has some big benefits…

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The many benefits of yaupon

Yaupon is basically the North American version of yerba mate. If you’re familiar with yerba mate you know that it’s an earthy, antioxidant-packed South American tea that gives you a kick without making you jittery. It’s been popular in North American health and wellness circles for several decades now. Although, I’d guess that most North Americans who drink it don’t know about yaupon.

Yaupon tea has just as many antioxidants as yerba mate. But it’s less bitter, so most people think it tastes better. There haven’t been many studies on yaupon’s health benefits, but the studies that have been done show promising results…

1. A 2011 study found that the polyphenols in yaupon have the potential to fight inflammation and prevent cancer. The study was performed on cells in a lab, so more research is necessary. But polyphenols are known for their ability to fight free radicals, reduce inflammation and lower cancer risk, so it’s not a stretch to think the polyphenols in yaupon tea could do the same.
2. Another study found that the antioxidants in yaupon stay stable no matter how the tea is packaged or stored. That’s good news, because green tea can lose antioxidant content depending on how it’s packaged and stored.
3. There’s one other big benefit of yaupon… It’s better for the environment. Since it grows naturally in the U.S., drinking a cup of yaupon tea creates a much smaller carbon footprint than drinking a cup of coffee or tea that’s been shipped halfway across the world.
4. The coffee and tea industries are also known for clearing rainforests, stripping soil nutrients and using chemical pesticides and fertilizers. So, by drinking a cup of yaupon tea instead of the usual coffee or tea you’re doing your part to protect the environment.

How to get your hands on yaupon

You’ve probably never seen yaupon tea in stores, so you might be wondering how the heck you get your hands on some.

Luckily, a few yaupon tea companies have popped up in the last ten years or so. If you google “yaupon tea” you’ll find a few brands you can buy online.

If you live in the South you can even make your own yaupon tea. You may already have yaupon growing in your yard. If you don’t, plant it. It makes a good border shrub. Once you have a yaupon plant with leaves, you can make tea by:

• Harvesting young leaves
• Grinding them up with a mortar and pestle
• Roasting them for eight minutes at 300 F
• Letting them cool
• Taking 1 tablespoon of crushed leaves and putting them in a tea diffuser
• Steeping them in a cup of boiling water for five minutes

If you follow these instructions, you’ll end up with a delicious cup of yaupon tea that protects your health, protects the environment and gives you a nice energy boost to boot.

The post 4 reasons to try America’s forgotten inflammation-fighting tea appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The health benefits of coffee have been talked up a lot lately. It seems that risk for heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes can be lowered by some java.

When I was a kid, though, it was a tall glass of tea and honey that made an appearance whenever I was sick.

True tea is a beverage that comes from the tea plant. But herbal teas in their endless varieties are made by soaking leaves, flowers or spices in hot water. Herbal teas are also called ‘tisanes,’ or infusions from a plant other than the tea plant.

The leaf, flower, root, bark, fruit or seed of a plant can be used to make herbal ‘tea.’ These drinks have a wide variety of medicinal and health uses. As an added benefit, they’re typically caffeine-free.

Here’s a partial list of tisanes that are aromatic and pleasant and have definite benefits for your health. Have some fun trying them to see which is to your taste—and which provides the best benefits suited to your health needs…

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

1.Rooibos

Also called redbush tea, caffeine-free rooibos tea comes from a plant native to South Africa. Research has shown that it reduces inflammation, prevents oxidative stress, and may even act directly against cancer cells. Rooibos has a naturally sweet hint to it, and is just as good cooled, as in this cherry lime rooibos tea cooler recipe.

2.Chamomile

A seven-year study of Mexican-American women linked this fragrant tea with 29% lower odds of dying during the research period.

Chamomile flower tea has been used by many cultures for a variety of health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, preventing blood clots and controlling blood sugar.

Most people nowadays know chamomile tea to be a good choice for a calming drink just before bed. And without it, I don’t think I would have survived losing an hour to the time change over the weekend.

Related: The ancient herbal tea that induces sleep and a longer life

3. Rose Hip

Some research points to rose hips as a potent reliever of arthritis pain. What we do know about this tea that’s made from the seed pods of wild rose is that it is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants.

4. Peppermint

You don’t need to have an upset stomach or headache to enjoy this cooling drink. Many people drink it regularly to keep nasal passages clear, and just enjoy its flavor.

Peppermint is also known to boost memory and mental alertness, so having a cup at your desk during the day might help!

5. Ginger

Made from ginger root, this tea is mainly used to relieve upset stomach, nausea and flatulence as well as to calm coughs.

Gingerol is a compound that reduces inflammation. Studies have begun to look at gingerol’s potential for fighting rheumatoid arthritis.

Peak Digestion^™

Gas, stomach upset, loose bowels, stomach cramps, headache and fatigue. These are all symptoms of a problem more common than you may think: Gluten intolerance. It’s often linked to autoimmune issues. Instead of the body digesting the protein, it treats gluten as an… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

6. Lemon Balm

There is evidence that lemon balm tea can act as a sleep aid and can help relieve anxiety in general. It gives some people stomach aches and nausea, so start slow with this one.

7. Milk Thistle

Silymarin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory powers, is the main natural compound in the milk thistle plant — an all-in-one superherb. Silymarin has been proven to protect the liver against the damaging effects of long-term use of some drugs, particularly acetaminophen.

8. Hibiscus

In Traditional Chinese medicine, hibiscus tea is used to fight cold and flu viruses, as well as congestion, due to its rich Vitamin C content.

In addition, hibiscus tea seems to have one unique but potentially important ability…

In 2016, just after the last major outbreak of bird flu in the United States, a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Science compared the anti-viral properties of a dozen different herbal teas. Hibiscus was the only tea that reduced the bird flu virus and stopped it from replicating.

9. Dandelion

Native American, Chinese and Arab medical traditions have all used dandelion to help with liver and gall bladder problems.

The pesky yellow flower that shows up in our backyard is actually full of Vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as iron, potassium and zinc. It’s known as a diuretic, which means it helps the body get rid of excess fluid, relieving belly bloat.

Dandelion tea can be made by steeping the flowers in boiling water for about 30 minutes. Just make sure you’ve picked them from an area that isn’t treated with chemicals of any kind.

A few precautions

When trying herbal teas for the first time, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor. Many herbs can cause unexpected reactions.

For example, even calming chamomile could cause you problems if you’re allergic to other flowers in the same family, which include ragweed, daisies and chrysanthemums.

The high Vitamin C content of rosehip tea could be a concern for people with kidney stones or diabetes.

If you are taking any medications, you should absolutely check with your doctor before indulging in herbal teas. Many herbs have known drug interactions.

And, if you’re pregnant or nursing, always check on whether an herb is safe for you to consume.

Once you get the all clear, you can enjoy trying these healthy teas, hot or cold, in any season!

The post 9 herbal teas to help tame your tummy, blood sugar, cholesterol and sleep problems appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

For ceremonies, meals, leisurely relaxation — and health — tea has held a solid place in history.

There are many kinds of tea and many ways to enjoy it, while at the same time improving health and invigorating life. And numerous studies have proven the amazing health benefits of drinking tea.

Here, I’d like to share a study on how amazing even a single cup of tea a day is on brain health, and then introduce you to a less-known tea in the West: lotus tea.

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Green tea fights Alzheimer’s decline

A study published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, examined the relationships between green or black/oolong tea consumption habits and incident neurocognitive disorders (NCD). An NCD is when there is significant cognitive decline in more than one neurocognitive area, which can include: attention, language, executive function, learning and memory, social cognition and perceptual-motor.

The study, which is part of the larger Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study, followed 957 Chinese seniors from 2003-2010. At study start, all participant were over age 55 and without cognitive disorders. Follow up was done every two years, and the findings are significant…

The study showed that those who consumed as little as one cup of tea daily significantly reduced their risk of cognitive decline as they aged, by an amazing 50 percent. This is compared to their non-tea drinking peers in the study control group.

What’s more, researchers found that those who carry the APOE e4 gene, which has been connected to cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia, were 85 percent less likely to show signs of degeneration.

Drinking one or more cups of plain green or oolong tea daily has many health benefits, especially for the brain and cognition. If you can drink it plain, without added sugars or milk, that is the best option.

Try lotus tea

Many are familiar with green tea and jasmine tea, which is green tea scented with jasmine flowers. Well, my new favorite is the terrific tasting lotus tea, which is green tea scented with lotus flowers.

The lotus is ubiquitous in India and China as a symbol of perseverance and fortitude. Even though the flower grows in mud, its flowers still blossom above the muddy waters. It is therefore seen as a symbol of purity of mind, body, spirit, speech and soul. While the entire flower (petals, stems, roots) are used in herbal medicine, it is easiest and best when drank as a tea.

Because lotus leaves augment the green tea, it still contains all the powerful antioxidants and polyphenols of green tea. The lotus flower, however, adds another level to this tea’s wellness powers.

Lotus tea is calming, helping to reduce restlessness, worry, anxiety, heart palpitations and insomnia.

Lotus tea is great at “drying dampness” from the stomach, spleen and liver. This is a Chinese medicine term for mucus or thick fluids that decrease the effectiveness of the organs.

Lotus tea helps “resolve heat” which means it quenches thirst and cools the stomach, intestines and skin, thus lowering inflammation and redness.

Lotus tea is alkalizing and therefore reduces inflammation, calms acid reflux and lowers blood pressure.

Lotus tea blocks the absorption of fats, and therefore is a complimentary treatment for high cholesterol and triglycerides.

There is a great study article on the seeds of the lotus plant on the website Frontiers in Plant Science, which notes uses for “nervous disorders, insomnia, high fevers with restlessness, poor digestion, chronic diarrhea, enteritis, tissue inflammation, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and arrhythmia”… and well as its “antioxidant, anti-amnesic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities.”

When it comes to the health of the brain or the body, science and history point to tea as a powerful ally.

The post What a single cup of tea does to your brain appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

You’ve probably read about the powers of green tea to ward off cancer, protect the prostate and control blood sugar, along with many other health benefits.

Now, you can add exceptional eye health protection to that list.

Studies across the globe have proven the power of the antioxidants in green tea to prevent the progression of two eye conditions that rob thousands of people of their vision each year…

Peak Vision Support^™

Unique Dual Nutrient Formula Supports Healthy, Clear Vision and Protects Eyes from Blue Light!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Cataracts: The leading cause of blindness

According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are responsible for more than half of blindness worldwide.

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. Mostly, they occur with age, although they can result from eye injury or other eye diseases.

The main symptom of cataracts is blurry vision, as if you are looking through a cloudy or fogged-up window. A person with cataracts may also have trouble with night vision or experience double vision in the affected eye.

Surgical treatment can prevent blindness and improve vision if done before cataracts are too advanced.

Glaucoma: The sneaky thief of vision

After cataracts, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. In the United States alone, about 12 percent of all blindness is caused by glaucoma.

You are at greater risk of developing glaucoma if you are over 60, have a family history of the condition, or are nearsighted.

The most common type of glaucoma often has no early symptoms at all, other than gradual loss of vision. A rare type of glaucoma brings eye pain, nausea and sudden vision loss.

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Green tea fights these vision-stealers

Studies have shown that green tea provides potent ingredients that strengthen the eyes and help prevent cataracts and glaucoma.

The secret ingredient? A protective compound called epigallocatechin gallate, or ECGC. Catechins are an essential component of this compound.

A 2001 study in the journal Experimental Eye Research found that the catechins in green tea can prevent cataract-induced blindness.

In 2002, a study from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences discovered that green tea leaf extract protected the eyes of rats from forming cataracts.

In a 2007 study, green tea antioxidants were added to human retinal pigment epithelial cells, causing the cell count and activity to increase (epithelial cells cover and protect the cornea and protect against UV damage).

Finally, two studies in 2010 clearly demonstrated the power of green tea’s antioxidants to relieve the oxidative stress that leads to glaucoma.

In one study, researchers found that the protective effect of catechins remained at work for up to 20 hours after subjects drank green tea.

How to get your daily dose of green tea

To gain the benefits of green tea experienced in many tea-drinking cultures, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests drinking two to three cups of green tea per day, giving you between 240 and 320 milligrams of polyphenols.

However, the bioavailability of the catechins from green tea is low. But you can help your body improve that…

According to a study published in 2022 showing green tea’s benefits for glaucoma, to improve bioavailability when drinking green tea, you can squeeze lemon juice into the tea or add a slice of lemon to enrich the tea with vitamin C.

Studies suggest that vitamin C, when used in combination with EGCG, may improve its absorption and increase its efficacy.

Matcha green tea will give you over a thousand times the antioxidant benefits of other green teas.

Matcha is stone-ground green tea made from the entire tea leaf. Usually, when you boil green tea, you throw away the leaves. Unfortunately, you’re also throwing away a lot of the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Sources:

1. Green Tea: The Eyes Have It — WebMD
2. Does Green Tea Boost Your Eyesight? — LasikEyesBoston.com
3. Green Tea and Eye Health — Your Sight Matters
4. Can a Cup of Hot Tea a Day Help Preserve Eyesight? — The New York Times
5. Frequency of a diagnosis of glaucoma in individuals who consume coffee, tea and/or soft drinks — British Journal of Ophthalmology
6. Go Green: 6 Surprising Health Benefits Of Green Tea — Medical Daily
7. Benefits Of Green Tea For Eye Disorders — SteadyHealth.com
8. Green Tea Protects Seniors’ Eyesight, Studies Show — Live in the Now
9. Why you should drink matcha green tea — Easy Health Options
10. What Is Glaucoma? — WebMD
11. Glaucoma Facts and Stats — Glaucoma Research Foundation
12. How Much Green Tea Should You Drink Per Day? — LiveStrong.com

The post Why this super drink gives you super eyesight appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s why the eye disease glaucoma is so dang scary…

Glaucoma damages your optic nerve, and is among the top causes of blindness in the U.S. It’s caused by abnormally high pressure in your eye.

But do you know the worst part about glaucoma? You don’t usually know you have it until it’s already doing permanent damage to your eye.

Your first symptoms are typically things like blind spots, tunnel vision, eye pain and blurred vision, which are signs your optic nerve is already being damaged.

Now, once you’re diagnosed with glaucoma, there are treatments to prevent it from progressing. If you don’t treat it, however, you’ll eventually go completely blind.

As you get older, your chance of developing glaucoma gets higher. And certain groups are at especially high risk, like:

• People 60 or older (especially of Mexican descent)
• African Americans older than 40
• People with relatives who’ve had glaucoma

The sad thing is, since there aren’t symptoms to warn people before glaucoma strikes, people with glaucoma usually end up with at least some permanent eye damage.

But there’s something you can do to prevent glaucoma from stealing some (or all) of your sight…

There’s a beverage you can sip on daily to slash your risk of this scary disease by up to 74 percent!

Hot tea slashes glaucoma risk

Researchers from Brown University and the University of California, Los Angeles found that drinking a cup of hot tea daily can substantially reduce your risk of developing glaucoma.

In their study, these researchers looked at 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for 10,000 people.

The data included detailed information about food and beverage consumption, and researchers noticed that people who drank hot tea daily had a far lower chance of developing glaucoma. In fact, they were an astounding 74 percent less likely to get it.

Now, past research shows that caffeine can reduce the abnormally high eye pressure that damages the optic nerve in people with glaucoma. But the glaucoma-fighting benefits of drinking hot tea don’t just come down to getting more caffeine…

Researchers checked to see if drinking coffee had similar benefits against glaucoma, and it didn’t. They also checked decaffeinated tea, iced tea and soft drinks, but none of them slashed glaucoma risk the way hot tea did.

Peak Vision Support^™

Two out of three people suffer with blurred vision, eye fatigue and dry, irritated eyes. Researchers expect the number of people with age-related macular degeneration and cataracts to nearly double by the year 2050. The cause of this decline in our vision is… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

So what’s so special about hot tea?

Well, tea contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds and neuroprotective chemicals. These components give tea the ability to lower the risk of a lot of serious diseases, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. And since past research has tied oxidative stress and neurodegeneration to the development of glaucoma, it makes sense that tea might make a difference in the disease.

Of course, coffee contains antioxidants and neuroprotective chemicals too, so it’s hard to say for sure why tea prevents glaucoma better. Or why hot tea had a protective effect and iced tea didn’t. What we can say for sure, is that you should start drinking a cup of hot tea per day if you want to keep glaucoma from sneaking up on you and stealing your sight.

Tea tips for glaucoma prevention

Nowadays, it seems even the healthiest foods and drinks have some downside you need to watch out for, and tea is no exception…

Tea contains surprisingly high levels of fluoride, and if you drink too much, you could end up with skeletal fluorosis, a condition where excessive amounts of fluoride build up in your body and damage your bones and joints. But skeletal fluorosis only occurs when you’re drinking a ton of tea, or getting a lot of fluoride from other sources.

So drinking the cup or so per day it takes to prevent glaucoma certainly won’t hurt you. Especially if you choose teas that are low in fluoride and high in antioxidants (which help your body counteract the oxidative stress caused by fluoride). White tea fits the bill best. It’s high in antioxidants and low in fluoride. But like I said, a cup or two of green or black tea per day is safe even if it comes with a bit of fluoride. So choose your favorite, and drink a cup of hot tea daily in the name of good sight.

The post Tea time tames glaucoma risk by 74 percent appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Are you unable to fasten the waistband of your pants even though you haven’t put on any extra pounds?

You could be suffering from good, old-fashioned belly bloat.

But, there’s really nothing good about it.

That bulging tummy can not only leave you feeling uncomfortable and even self-conscious.

And, if you talk to your doctor, you’re likely to get advice about changing your diet and getting more exercise and while this can be great advice for the long-term, you need help now! Even worse, your doctor could decide to put you on a prescription diuretic, leaving you at risk for side effects like muscle cramps, headaches, dizziness and even blood sugar problems.

Well, luckily for you, there is an answer and it doesn’t involve starving yourself, working out until you drop or taking any dangerous drugs— and it’s found in a simple tea…

Pretty flowers, powerful action

Most people don’t even know that those yellow weeds that drive them crazy in their backyard are actually flowers with a long history of medicinal use from Native Americans to traditional Chinese and Arabic medicine.

In fact, dandelions are widely known for helping problems of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts.

They’re also chock-full of vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as minerals, such as iron, potassium and zinc.

And, dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to help the body get rid of too much fluid — in other words, that irritating belly bloat.

You can purchase dandelion tea both in natural food stores and online or you can make your own.

Should you decide to pick your own dandelions, be sure to choose an area that has never been sprayed with weed killer to avoid toxic chemicals or areas where your pets been allowed to run around to avoid you know what!

Related: 7 Ways to beat belly bloat

To make fresh dandelion tea:

1. Pick the dandelions and place them in a colander.
2. Rinse well with cool water.
3. Boil water and steep the flowers or roots for 30 minutes.
4. Mix gently.
5. Refrigerate for 3 -4 hours or until completely chilled and serve or drink warm. The choice is yours.
6. Add stevia or agave syrup to sweeten.

You can strain out the flowers or pour them into the cups. Just be sure to drink the tea within 36 hours for best taste.

When not to take dandelion

Dandelions can cause allergic reactions when taken by mouth or applied to the skin of sensitive people. Don’t take dandelion if you’re allergic to ragweed and related plants (daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds), as you’re more likely to be allergic to dandelion as well.

You should also not take dandelion while taking antibiotics as it interferes with their absorption or if you’re taking lithium or diuretics due to the diuretic properties of dandelion itself. Talk to your doctor before taking dandelion if you’re on any medications that are changed in the liver as dandelion may interfere in this process.

So, if you’re ready to beat belly bloat naturally and be able to button your pants again, try dandelion tea.

The post The tea that beats belly bloat appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Even though your dentist will still tell you fluoride prevents cavities, the science supporting that claim is sketchy to say the least.

In 2015, a review of the available research showed that not very many high-quality studies have been done on the connection between fluoride and cavities over the past 40 years. And the few that have been done revealed that fluoride doesn’t reduce cavities.

Even worse, exposure to too much fluoride comes with serious health risks, including developmental problems in children and bone problems in adults.

So it’s good you got fluoride out of your toothpaste. But that doesn’t mean you’re living a fluoride-free life. Fluoride’s hiding in a few other everyday places. Some you may know about… like your water. And others you may not… like your tea.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Is your tea filled with fluoride?

Imagine this…

You go to your doctor with stiff, achy joints or widespread pain and your doctor diagnosis you with arthritis or fibromyalgia. You go on for years thinking you have one of these debilitating diseases, but in actuality you have skeletal fluorosis, a condition where excessive amounts of fluoride build up in your body and damage your bones and joints. And you have this painful condition because you drank too much tea.

This may sound far-fetched, but this has really happened to a few unlucky tea-lovers in recent years, because tea contains surprisingly high levels of fluoride. Tea contains a lot of fluoride, because tea plants absorb it from the soil.

Now, a recent study from the University of Florida suggests you don’t need to stop drinking tea just yet. This study found that most teas contain safe levels of fluoride… but just barely.

Your chance of developing bone problems like skeletal fluorosis starts to rise significantly once you surpass 6 milligrams of fluoride per day, so researchers estimate that, to play it safe, you shouldn’t exceed 5.2 milligrams per day.

Most of the 47 teas they tested fell within this so-called “safe” range. Although traditional teas like green and black tea contained more fluoride than herbal tea. In fact, 10 of the traditional teas they tested (including four green teas) fell right at the 5 milligram mark, which is the maximum amount of fluoride that’s safe to consume per day… from all sources.

It’s all well and good that tea just barely squeaked by as safe in this study… the problem is you’re exposed to fluoride from other sources too like:

• Dental products
• Water
• Processed foods and drinks
• Pesticides
• Pharmaceuticals
• Teflon

So although you don’t necessarily need to give up tea, you do need to recognize that it’s a source of fluoride, and think about where else you’re exposed to fluoride in your life. You can also do your best to make your tea as fluoride-free as possible…

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Getting less fluoride per cup

Since black and green teas are made from more mature tea leaves, the leaves have more time to pick up fluoride from the soil. That’s why they contain more fluoride than other types of tea. White tea, which is made from young tea leaves, has less fluoride. And, as mentioned in the study, so do herbal teas.

On a bright note, even though tea contains fluoride, it also contains a natural antidote to fluoride toxicity — antioxidants. These antioxidants fight the oxidative stress that fluoride causes in your body. Of course, the teas with the most fluoride also tend to have the least antioxidants. White tea, however, has the most antioxidants and the least fluoride.

So white tea is looking more and more like the way to go if you’re a tea drinker. Yerba mate also has minimal amounts of fluoride and more caffeine than white tea. So if you’re looking for a bigger caffeine boost than white tea and herbal tea can offer, turn to this earthy South American tea for a bit more energy with a lot less fluoride.

Related: Fluoride, other chemicals, linked to brain development disorders

The post The toxin in tea that attacks your bones appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If you think it’s just not macho enough for you, think again.

It’s important for men to consider green tea for prostate health — and their overall health in general.

This natural substance, in the form of tea as well as supplements contains potent antioxidants known as catechins, polyphenols that have demonstrated a number of significant health benefits for men, ranging from boosting the immune system to destroying certain bacteria and viruses.

The amount of catechins in green tea depends on many factors, including where the plants are cultivated, the harvest season, and how the tea leaves are processed. Japanese green teas tend to have higher amounts of EGCG than do Chinese teas, but there are variations within each group.

Research shows that catechins, including the most powerful one discovered thus far — epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — have an ability to promote and support men’s health in general and prostate health in particular. For example, the catechins in green tea can help prevent possible complications following a prostate biopsy, such as risk of infection, fever, and chills.

Here are some more reasons why men need green tea and the research to support them.

Green tea and prostate cancer

In a recent Cancer Prevention Research article, experts noted that EGCG and other polyphenols significantly reduced the levels of PSA and two indicators for prostate cancer in men who had the disease. Results of several large studies show that men who drink green tea regularly are less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who avoid the beverage. The more green tea men drink, the more they protect their prostate against cancer.

Catechins also work to repair damaged DNA that might otherwise trigger cancer growth, as well as hinder the actions of an enzyme called COX-2, which is involved in the process of prostate cancer. In addition, green tea catechins benefit men who have pre-cancerous prostate lesions, a condition known as prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), which indicates a high risk of developing prostate cancer.

Related: Green Tea and Prostate Cancer Prevention

Green tea and prostatitis

Catechins in green tea have an ability to treat prostatitis, as was demonstrated in an animal study that compared placebo, catechins, ciprofloxacin, or catechins plus ciprofloxacin. Animals in the catechins-only group showed modest improvements in inflammation and bacterial growth compared with the placebo group, while the combination of catechins and ciprofloxacin resulted in significant improvements.

A newer study of green tea extract and prostatitis revealed that in rat models of chronic prostatitis, the use of nanocatechins (catechins modified using nanotechnology) resulted in more effective anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects than unmodified catechins. Research indicates that drinking two to three cups of green tea daily may be beneficial.

Related: Green Tea and Prostatitis Prevention

Green tea and BPH (enlarged prostate)

Green tea has shown a number of health benefits for men with BPH who want to restore their prostate health. Overall, the catechins in green tea have demonstrated the ability to kill certain bacteria and viruses and enhance the immune system. The antioxidants in green tea also appear to contribute to its ability to reduce levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that increases a man’s risk of developing BPH.

A study conducted by researchers at Winthrop University Hospital in Garden City, New York, evaluated the impact of a green and black tea mixture on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which are characteristic of men with an enlarged prostate. The 46 men in the study were given either a placebo or the tea mixture (500 mg or 1000 mg) daily for 12 weeks. The authors found that men who had taken the tea mixture showed an improvement in LUTS (including improved urinary flow and reduced inflammation) and quality of life in as little as six weeks when compared with placebo.

In a recent (2016) study, researchers explored the impact of catechins in metabolic syndrome rats. They found that EGCG “significantly decreased” levels of factors such as glucose, total cholesterol, and inflammatory substances, and “exert anti-BPH activities” in rats with metabolic syndrome.

Green tea and urinary tract infections

Green tea has also inhibited the growth of the bacteria Escherichia coli, which are the main organism that causes urinary tract infections. In a lab study, green tea extracts completely inhibited E. coli growth after 5 to 7 hours, and had a synergistic effect when used along with antibiotics, including amikacin and sulfamethoxazole.

Using green tea

Generally, two or more cups of green tea daily are often recommended for prostate conditions. Green tea extract supplements are an option and should be taken as indicated on the label or with the advice of a healthcare provider. A suggested dose is 500 mg daily.

The post Why men should drink green tea appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It’s safe to say that a lot of us live our lives feeling this way.

And, while many people, even doctors, write it off as just a part of aging, that’s not the case.

There are many parts of the world where people live to a ripe old age while still maintaining a fit, strong body and a memory that’s as sharp as a tack.

So, why is it such a problem here in the United States? Why do so many of us carry that spare tire around our middle and suffer from brain fog?

The key could be in our diet.

Unlike a large part of the world, the American diet is chock full of processed foods, sugars and bad fats — all things that have been shown to not only pack on the pounds but also lead to that foggy thinking you’ve been experiencing.

But, scientists have discovered one more clue that could solve the mystery of why some people are able to consume even these unhealthy foods and still live fit, trim and sharp…

Green tea.

Peak Thyroid Support^™

The thyroid’s main job is to make hormones that regulate the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, muscles and every other organ and tissue. But to function properly, it needs an adequate supply of iodine — something that gets harder to metabolize with age. That’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The miracle beverage

For years, green tea has been touted by fitness fanatics for its health benefits and it turns out they were on to something…

A new study by researchers in China is demonstrating not just the power of green tea to prevent weight gain and memory loss but to do it despite a poor diet.

The scientists fed two groups of mice a diet packed full of high fructose products and bad fats but only gave one group a compound called EGCG, the most biologically active catechin in green tea.

After 16 weeks on this diet, the mice that were given the EGCG weren’t just thinner than their counterparts, they also had quicker thinking skills and better memory.

The researchers credit the results to the ability of green tea to alleviate insulin resistance — the principal cause of type 2 diabetes.

And they go further to say, “The ancient habit of drinking green tea may be a more acceptable alternative to medicine when it comes to combating obesity, insulin resistance, and memory impairment.”

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Choosing and preparing your tea

If you’re ready to harness the power of green tea to keep you slim and trim and preserve your memories, here are a few things to remember.

Tea quality varies and you don’t want to choose one that’s packed with unnecessary ingredients that could interfere with its health benefits. Look for brands that use all-natural ingredients and no preservatives and go for loose-leaf tea instead of bags whenever possible.

Two varieties of green tea that boast the highest amounts of the vital catechin are:

• Matcha: The green tea leaves are ground into a fine powder, which you can whisk into water for tea. Since you consume the actual leaves, you get more antioxidants than from other green teas.
• Hojicha: Made from green tea leaves that are roasted until they’re dark brown. Because it’s picked at the end of the season and roasted at a higher heat than other teas, hojicha contains lower levels of caffeine.

To brew your tea, don’t let the water come to a full boil. Instead, pour the water over the tea right before it boils and then let the tea steep for 3-4 minutes and try to get in three to five cups a day.

And, for those of you who just don’t like the flavor of green tea, there is another option. Green tea extract is easy to find in natural health stores and online and still packs the same punch as the original beverage.

Don’t let the food you eat rob you of your precious memories and leave you overweight and unhappy. Use the tips above and grab a cuppa’ green tea today.

The post Feeling fat, foggy and forgetful? Drink this appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

People are sipping on it daily to ward off cancer, speed up their metabolism, balance their blood sugar and live a longer life. And maybe you’re one of them.

If you are, you probably drink it as a part of an all-around healthy diet. You have it at breakfast-time with a bowl of grass-fed yogurt and berries, or at dinner-time with a plate of wild-caught Alaskan salmon, quinoa and kale.

But there’s another way to drink green tea that you may not have thought of… and that’s with a burger, fries and a supersized Coke. Because, it turns out, green tea may be able to act as an antidote to the meals you eat when you fall off the healthy eating wagon…

Don’t feel guilty, drink green tea

Now, even if your fridge is primarily stocked with organic produce, almond milk and fermented superfoods, let’s be real — we all eat unhealthy sometimes…

And that’s okay. No one can resist ice cream and French fries all the time.  But when you do indulge in those less-than-healthy foods, you should give your body a helping hand afterward — and drink some green tea…

Why?

Well, researchers from Northwest A&F University in China found that green tea has an amazing ability to counteract the insulin resistance and cognitive impairment caused by eating foods that are filled with unhealthy fats and high-fructose corn syrup.

In other words, it’s a simple remedy to those cheat days you’re allowed every now and then.

In their study, researchers gave mice either a standard diet, an unhealthy diet or an unhealthy diet complemented by the green tea extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).

Over the course of 16 weeks, researchers monitored these three groups of mice and found the mice that ate the unhealthy diet, with the addition of green tea extract ECGC, were significantly less overweight and had much better memory and thinking skills than the mice that ate an unhealthy diet alone.

Researchers then took a closer look and confirmed that ECGC was impacting brain inflammation and the way these mice produced insulin. So it was counteracting two of the most prominent side effects of unhealthy eating… insulin resistance and brain fog!

What can green tea do for you?

Now, it’s all well and good that green tea makes mice feel better when they’re not eating so great. The question is — will it work for you?

Chances are it will have some effect on how you feel, because studies show that green tea has an impact on blood sugar and insulin levels in humans too. And tea in general has been shown in several studies to prevent cognitive decline in people.

So next time you find yourself elbow-deep in a bag full of greasy chips, cap off your unhealthy snack with a cup of green tea.

If you don’t already have a box of organic green tea on-hand, it’s time to buy one. When you brew your green tea, use water that hasn’t quite come to a boil (160-170 degrees). If the water’s too hot, it will reduce the amount of beneficial compounds in the tea. You may even want to consider microwaving your green tea… it has some surprising health benefits!

Editor’s note: 38.6 million Americans take a single drug every day that robs their brain of an essential nutrient required for optimal brain health. Are you one of them? Click here to find out!

The post The drink that’s a fast food antidote appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The place is awe-inspiring and spiritual, with dozens of Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines, and a huge Buddha statue that must be seen to be believed.

For me, this is where I was first introduced to Matcha, or powdered green tea. This special kind of Japanese green tea is made differently than normal green tea and boasts of over a thousand more anti-oxidant levels than its leafy counterpart. I found it bitter at first, but now drink it daily for its disease-fighting, detoxing, weight-loss and cancer-fighting power.

If you haven’t yet tried matcha green tea, you need to. Here’s why…

Why matcha is so powerful

Matcha powdered green tea is such a boon to health because of how it’s produced. Matcha is made from the entire green tea leaf. When you boil green tea you throw away the leaves, but this practice leaves most of the antioxidants out of the cup. Matcha is stone ground green tea, the entire leaf pulverized into a powder that contains all the antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

In fact, matcha has an antioxidant ORAC score of 1573, making one cup of Matcha green tea equal to 10 cups of regular green tea. The ORAC score is about the antioxidant power of a food regardless of its nutritional content. However, the most nutritious foods, and many “superfoods,” do indeed hold the highest ORAC values.

Part of the reason matcha’s ORAC score is so high is that it contains catechins, and one in particular known as EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate), which protects against and counteracts free radical damage to our cells causing DNA damage.

Catechins, body fat and cholesterol

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers investigated the effect of catechins (the major component of green tea) on body fat reduction and LDL cholesterol reduction.

For the 12 week double-blind study, Japanese men with similar body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were divided into two groups. One group consumed a bottle of oolong tea infused with green tea extract, containing a whopping 690mg catechins, while the other group consumed a bottle of regular oolong tea containing only 22mg catechins (the control group).

The results were significant. The green tea extract group had significantly lower body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass and subcutaneous fat compared to the control group. These results lead researchers to conclude that consumption of catechins “might be useful in the prevention and improvement of lifestyle-related diseases, mainly obesity.” But there’s more…

Matcha’s many other benefits

Matcha green tea is so rich in many things that it provides a great deal more benefits.

• Matcha’s fiber and catchins provide weight loss and LDL cholesterol reduction
• Matcha’s chlorophyll is a main element of matcha and is a natural odor eliminator, and helps detox heavy metals and chemicals from the body.
• Matcha supplies vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium
• Matcha is high in the amino acid L-Theanine, which promotes relaxation and wellbeing while boosting concentration and memory and reducing stress through its action on the brain.
• Matcha has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, here and here.

Conclusion

With all this going for it, there is no reason to not give matcha green tea a try. You’ll love it and it should become part of your daily consumption routine. Is there an easier way to protect yourself from disease and lose weight, too?

Editor’s note: Sometimes it can be confusing knowing what’s good for you and what’s not. Take the 38.6 million Americans who take a single drug every day that’s robbing their brain of an essential nutrient required for optimal brain health. Are you one of them? Click here to find out!

The post Why you should drink matcha green tea appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And, if you haven’t already tried it, the time is now…

Especially, if you’re looking to lose a little extra weight. In fact, kombucha is a great way to kick any diet plan into high gear without taking any of those dangerous stimulant drugs for weight loss.

So, if you’re ready to lose weight, skip the questionable diet aids and try kombucha along with a sensible eating plan instead.

The weird tea that many swear by

Kombucha is basically a fermented concoction of black tea, bacteria and sugar.

Sounds appetizing right?

Maybe not but its benefits will make you a believer and a regular drinker.

This tea dates back to ancient China where it was used for everything from healing arthritis to treating cancer.

But, it also boasts properties that can help you lose weight and get the shape you’re looking for by…

Promoting a healthy gut – Kombucha is one of the richest sources of probiotics available. Containing gluconacetobacter, acetobacter, lactobacillus and zygosaccharomyces, kombucha helps repopulate your gut with good bacteria, keeping you regular, boosting digestion and improving your body’s ability to process the food you eat.

Helping your body detox – Kombucha acts as an antioxidant and its active components help detoxify your liver so that you can clear out the waste. Combined with the good bacteria kombucha supplies your body, it helps you get your diet off on the right foot.

Boosting energy levels – You can also get an energy boost from kombucha to help you reach your fitness goals faster. You see, kombucha not only contains B vitamins that help fight fatigue and the mid-afternoon dip, it also contains iron. The iron in kombucha helps your body’s red blood cells deliver more oxygen to your muscles and brain so you feel more alert and energetic.

Overall, the benefits of kombucha are obvious and studies have reported beneficial changes in weight and appetite by adding it in to your diet.

Where to get it and what to expect

You can brew your own kombucha at home, using a special starter kit that you purchase online.

But, for most people, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with home-brewing or the fermentation process (it can be a little intimidating), you should start out by purchasing kombucha either at your grocery or natural health food stores. A bottle will run anywhere from $3 to $5 and you can pick from a number of flavors.

In its natural state, kombucha can be quite sour and a surprise to new drinkers. You may want to try a few different brands and flavors to find one that works for you but remember, the more sweet the flavoring, the more sugar you’ll be getting. To limit your sugar intake, it’s best to stick to lemon, lime or ginger varieties.

Because kombucha is fermented, it contains a minute amount of alcohol. If your kombucha is prepared correctly, the amount of naturally occurring alcohol will be less than 0.5 percent. And it’s important to keep it cold and stored in your refrigerator to prevent further fermentation and alcohol production.

It’s also recommended to consume only about four ounces of kombucha a day or you might experience stomach discomfort.

If you decide to try your hand at brewing your own kombucha, be sure to do the research and follow safety guidelines to prevent food-borne illness. Just remember, as with most fermented or home-brewed drinks and foods, kombucha isn’t recommended for pregnant women and anyone whose immune system is compromised.

Otherwise, grab your bottle of kombucha today and kickstart your diet the right way. You’ll feel better and more energetic, naturally.

Sources:

1. Bhattacharya S, et al. Protective effect of kombucha tea against tertiary butyl hydroperoxide induced cytotoxicity and cell death in murine hepatocytes. — Indian J. Exp Biol 2011; 49:511–524.

2. Effects of chronic kombucha ingestion on open-field behaviors, longevity, appetitive behaviors, and organs in c57-bl/6 mice: a pilot study. — Nutrition

The post Boost your weight loss with kombucha appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Although green tea has been proclaimed as everything from a cancer fighting miracle to a major heart disease prevention tool, it has nothing on the white variety for keeping your skin young, firm, and wrinkle-free.

In fact, white tea is so powerful that in lab studies, it beat 21 other plant nutrients with its skin smoothing properties.

So, if you’ve been considering seeing a dermatologist or even a plastic surgeon to help turn back the clock and eliminate the wrinkles that add years to your face, put down that phone and instead pick up a cup of white tea.

Drink away sagging and wrinkles

The reason that white tea works so much better than green or even black tea is because of the level of antioxidants it has.

Antioxidants stop cell damage from free radicals — things in our environment like UV rays from the sun that break down our tissues, causing aging and disease.

So the more antioxidants something has, the better.

The reason white tea is so full of these valuable substances is because the leaves and buds used to make it aren’t fermented or dried prior to steaming like with green and black teas. This leaves more catechins, the antioxidants found in teas, in the finished product ready for you to drink.

These catechins stop the elastin and collagen in your skin from being broken down.

Elastin keeps your skin from sagging and collagen supports your skin’s elasticity. By keeping these from being destroyed by the free radicals you are exposed to every day, the antioxidants in white tea keep your skin from sagging and becoming wrinkled.

Basically, it keeps you looking younger by preventing skin damage from sun exposure, pollution, stress, poor diet and alcohol, and even the makeup you use each day.

White tea and wrinkle-free skin care

The easiest way to get the benefits of white tea is to use it to replace other beverages you drink like green tea or coffee.

Loose leaf varieties generally contain the most of those important catechins because tea bags undergo more processing which can leach them out of the finished tea. So choose loose leaf when you can.

The brewing process for white tea is similar to that of other types of tea, like green or black. But you may want to

• Use filtered water to ensure you’re getting the purest tea possible.
• Heat the water but don’t bring it to boiling since that can destroy the catechins in the tea.
• Put 1 to 2 tsp. of white tea leave per cup of water into a tea strainer and let steep for two to three minutes.
• For a more concentrated tea which is rich in flavor you can steep longer.
• Consider microwaving your tea, instead of brewing your cup of tea. It’s been found that microwaving brings out more of the health-giving components in a way that makes it easier for your body to absorb and benefit from them.

You can also incorporate white tea into your wrinkle-free skin care routine by making a skin mist.

• Brew and steep tea using directions above.
• Let cool.
• Transfer tea to a spritz bottle and mist face, neck and décolletage.
• Store mist in refrigerator for up to five days.

White tea may just be the easiest way to wrinkle-free skin you’ll ever find. Start drinking it today and using it as a soothing skin mist and you’ll be on the road to smoother, younger-looking skin.

Sources:

1. White Tea Could Keep You Healthy And Looking Young — Science Daily

2. Anti-wrinkle Effects of Water Extracts of Teas in Hairless Mouse — Toxicological Research

The post Sip away wrinkles with white tea appeared first on Easy Health Options®.