Is green tea really good for me?
Written by Kathryn Savage
There is a lot of hype about the benefits of drinking green tea, is any of it true? I’m a coffee devotee but if there are great reasons to trade in French Roast for fresh brewed, I want in. Here's what I've uncovered about the health benefits (and risks) inside that cup of yummy green tea...
Cancer
Research suggests that polyphenol content in green tea is rich in antioxidant properties that prevent cancer. But in 2005, the FDA concluded that green tea drinkers were not reducing their risk for gastric, lung, colon/rectal, esophageal, pancreatic, ovarian, and combined cancers, despite what some previous studies had suggested. The good news is, the FDA also found that green tea drinkers may be reducing their risk for breast and prostate cancer.
Hearts and Warts
In 2006, the FDA claimed that there is no “credible evidence” that supports green tea’s supposed ability to reduce instances of Cardiovascular Disease. Later that year, the FDA approved a topical ointment based on green tea used to treat warts.
Antioxidants
Also in 2006, researchers at Yale University School of Medicine reviewed over 100 studies on the health benefits of drinking green tea. They examined why in Asia rates of heart disease and cancer are low, despite high rates of cigarette smokers. Researchers hypothesized that 1.2 liters of green tea, consumed daily, might provide very high levels of polyphenols and other antioxidants that improve cardiovascular health and essentially counteract the negative affects associated with smoking.
Pregnancy
Drinking green tea in excess can cause oxidative stress and liver toxicity. Some suggest exercising caution when you brew, and pregnant women are advised by some doctors to avoid green tea all together.
So can it make me skinny?
Some green tea fans think drinking tea increases endurance while exercising and improves fat metabolism. But research that backs up this claim is spotty.
Smoother skin?
Studies also suggest that tea extracts might be effective for treating patients who “suffer from damaged skin following radiation treatment for cancer.” This might be because tea is high in anti-inflammatory properties.
Are you a green tea believer? Tell us why you love green tea!
Worried Sick?
Written by Kathryn Savage
What with the economy doing its part, and gas prices shooting up, people across the country are worried about debt.
While concern for the economy, yours and the countries is understandable, a recent poll found that all this money worry is quite bad for you, literally. People reporting high debt stress, also report ulcers, digestive problems, migraines and other headaches.
How can you reduce stress?
- Sit down with a financial planner or debt counselor in your area and come up with a plan to get debt-free and start saving for your future.
- Have an earnest conversation with yourself, your spouse and family members about ways to reduce personal expenses.
-
Keep healthy eating and exercise a priority. A walk or a run is a great way to reduce stress and take the edge off. Cutting meat out of the budget means you have more room to creatively prepared vegetables and beans. Beans are a Blue Zones longevity all star food, you know!
For more on how debt is affecting Americans read this article.
US Life Expectancy up to 78
Written by Siddarth Saikia
The National Center for Health Statistics released a record breaking life expectancy statistic of 78 years for people born in 2006.
Yet this is still much lower than Japan where it is 83 years and the US only ranks in at the 30th highest expectancy in the world.
Learn more at this great blog by Dr. Mark Stibich.
From the Experts: The best diet for the long haul.
Written by Siddarth Saikia
For today's segment of From the Experts, we ask Dr. Robert Kane, director of the Center on Aging and the Minnesota Geriatric Education Center at the University of Minnesota, what we can eat and do to add years to our lives.
Today's Questions
In general, what's the best diet for the long haul?
Dr. Robert Kane:
" The best diet is basically one of moderation. You hear about all these people that live on legumes and plant foods and that's probably OK, but I don't think it's necessary. One certainly can metabolize a certain amount of meat, but again it's a question of are you eating European portions or America portions?
Are you eating it a couple of times a week, or are you eating it every day for two meals a day? Are you eating processed meats that are filled with fat? Or are you eating good cuts of fairly lean meat?
I don't think it's one or the other. I think we need a certain amount of fat in our diet. It's helpful to have a certain amount of fat. And we certainly need protein in our diet, because there are certain proteins that you can't make naturally. Carbohydrates and fats are pretty much interchangeable metabolically, although there are some metabolic costs to making that exchange. Which is why diabetics get into trouble when they start burning fat.
To me, I just come back to moderation. Assuming that you were in pretty good shape in your 20s, if you could maintain that weight, you would be in good shape.
I Say Tomato, You Say Salmonella
Written by Kathryn Savage
McDonald’s Burger King and Wal-Mart are a few of the big box retailers and restaurant chains reacting to recent reports that some raw tomatoes are contaminated with salmonella. How are retailers reacting? By pulling tomatoes from their shelves.
How to protect yourself and your family?
Eating fresh vegetables is definitely a Blue Zones sanctioned food-habit. But how to make sure the veggies you buy are safe to eat? Federal officials report that “cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached and homegrown tomatoes are likely not the source of the outbreak,” according to a recent AP report.
While the FDA continues to research where the salmonella outbreak is originating so they can put a stop to it, keep to tiny, organic tomatoes. Or use this as an opportunity to try out a new salad-friendly veggies. (Ones that won’t have you sprinting, Olympic-style, to the toilet.)
For a detailed AP report chick here.
Page 8 of 16
