Health Benefits of Green Tea (and Why Loose Leaves Are Superior)

A large and growing body of research shows that drinking green tea can offer extraordinary health benefits. Like black tea, green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. However, unlike its black counterpart, green tea is not fermented during the manufacturing process, allowing its healing and health protecting compounds to stay largely intact. In this in-depth article, we dig into some of the most compelling health benefits of green tea. So grab a cup of green tea, sit back and enjoy:

1. Green tea boosts metabolism

Drinking green tea is a great way to rev up your metabolism as green tea is packed with metabolism-boosting flavonoids called catechins. When your metabolism is cranked into high gear, your body will burn more energy, which in turn can help you lose excess body weight.
In one clinical trial, 132 overweight/obese adults were given either a drink containing approximately 625 milligrams green tea catechins and 39 milligrams caffeine or a a control drink which contained the same amount of caffeine but no catechins. All participants followed a similar diet in terms of caloric intake and exercise regimen. At the end of the twelve week trial period, the participants were weighed: Both groups had lost weight, but those who had consumed the catechin-containing drink had lost substantially more weight than those who drank the control beverage.

2. Green tea – a natural acne treatment?

The weight loss promoting properties of green tea are among the most widely publicized health benefits of green tea, but the positive health effects associated with drinking green tea extend well beyond these benefits. Recent research suggests, for example, that drinking green tea on a regular basis may help treat acne. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the major catechins in green tea, has been shown to influence the production and actions of hormones that have been linked to acne breakouts. Green tea is also thought to have detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties, which may further help keep acne at bay.

3. Strong antioxidant and anti-aging properties

Green tea, particularly green tea made from loose leaves, is an excellent source of antioxidants such as catechins. Antioxidants, as you may already know, are health-benefiting molecules that slow down aging and guard against disease. According to research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the antioxidant capacity of foods and drinks, green tea is superior to black tea in terms of antioxidant capacity. It appears that the enzymatic oxidation process (fermentation) used in the preparation of black tea leaves is responsible for the weaker antioxidant activity of black tea.

4. Anti-allergy benefits

Another green tea health benefit attributed to catechins, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is the potential of green tea to provide relief from certain types of allergic reactions. In order to understand how EGCG in green tea fights allergies, it is important to understand how allergic reactions develop. Here's a summary:
Human mast cells produce histidine decarboxylase, an enzyme that helps histidine convert to histamine. Histamine is then attached to receptors in the immune system, a reaction that causes the typical symptoms associated with allergic reactions.
Traditional anti-histamines, which are used to treat allergic reactions such as hay fever, work by preventing histamine from attaching to the receptors in the immune system. In contrast, EGCG derived from green tea has been shown to prevent allergic reactions by a very different mechanism: it stops the reaction right at the beginning by inhibiting the initial histidine decarboxylation reaction. As anti-histamines tend to lose their effectiveness over time, green tea has been proposed as a potential alternative or complementary remedy for certain types of allergies.

5. Immune-boosting and stress-reducing properties

Green tea is rich in theanine, a beneficial amino acid found almost exclusively in Camellia sinensis plants. Research suggests that theanine in tea plants helps boost the immune system and prevent infections by enhancing the activities of a group of disease-fighting cells called gamma delta T cells. As an added health benefit, theanine in green tea can help you manage stress and stay relaxed. These relaxing effects, which are usually experienced within 40 minutes after drinking green tea, are caused by the ability of theanine to stimulate the generation of alpha brain waves. The generation of alpha brain waves has been directly linked to mental relaxation. Theanine in green tea is also involved in the formation of gamma amino butrylic acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter with potential stress-reducing activity.

6. Anti-cancer effects

Catechins, the same compounds that are responsible for most of the above-listed health benefits of green tea, have been shown to be extremely effective at protecting cells against DNA damage which could lead to cancer. But the anti-cancer activities of green tea are not limited to the DNA-protecting effects of catechins; in vitro studies suggest that green tea can also inhibit nitrification, a bodily reaction that has been associated with the development of certain types of cancer, including stomach cancer and esophagus cancer.
In addition, green tea appears to be capable of suppressing urokinase, an enzyme that has been shown to be particularly active in cancer patients and that may play a key role in the spread of cancer cells.
While the evidence that green tea can help prevent cancer is convincing, people who already have cancer should consult with their doctor before using green tea as compounds in green tea have been shown to reduce bioavailability of certain anti-cancer drugs such as sunitinib (marketed as Sutent) and bortezomib (marketed as Velcade).

7. Improved cardiovascular health

There is some evidence suggesting that people who drink green tea may benefit from superior cardiovascular health. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that those study participants who were given green tea extract supplements had lower blood pressure after the three week trial period. Their systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased on average by 5 mmHg and 4 mmHg, respectively. In addition, their total cholesterol levels decreased by 10 mg/dL.
Another study investigating the benefits of green tea compounds on cardiovascular health found that polyphenol compounds in green tea were able to block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines of the test animals. These polyphenols were also found to stimulate the excretion of cholesterol from the body.

Health Benefits of Eating Red Onions

Quercetin in red onions provides wide ranging health benefits.

 

Red onions are packed with quercetin

Quercetin in red onions provides wide ranging health benefits.

Red and yellow onions are one of the best natural sources of quercetin, a bioflavonoid that is particularly well suited for scavenging free radicals. Aside from its antioxidant properties, quercetin has been found to possess cancer fighting, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has shown promising potential for preventing and controlling the formation of intestinal polyps, suppressing the rhinoviruses that are the underlying cause of common cold, treating psoriasis, and inhibiting the replication of viruses including the herpes simplex virus that can cause cold sores. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of stomach cancer: according to one study, half an onion a day could reduce the risk of stomach cancer by 50%.

Allicin in onions fights regenerative diseases and fungi

In addition to quercetin, red onions provide allicin, a potent health-promoting compound that is found in onions and other members of the Allium family when the plant is crushed or chopped. Allicin has been shown to promote cardiovascular health, prevent and treat cancer, and reduce high blood pressure. It has also been suggested that allicin could be helpful for people with dandruff due to its anti-fungal properties.

Chromium makes onions a great food to tackle insulin resistance

Onions are a rich source of chromium, a trace mineral that can help control glucose levels. This is great news for those who suffer from insulin resistance as chromium is an essential for insulin activity in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. A lack of chromium-rich foods, such as onions, in diet may lead to insulin resistance and impaired blood sugar control and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, there is some evidence suggesting that severe chromium deficiency may make weight loss more difficult or even cause weight gain.

Additional health benefits associated with red onions' low GI rating

With a glycemic index (GI) rating of 10, onions are considered a low glycemic food. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrate containing foods based on how quickly they raise blood sugar levels. Foods are rated between 0 and 100, and the higher the rating, the quicker the food will release energy and cause blood glucose levels to rise. The glycemic index was initially created to help diabetics decide what foods are best for them, but now also many weight conscious people are using the concept of glycemic index to help them lose weight and improve their health. By choosing low GI foods — such as red onions — over high GI carbs, you can regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, which in turn causes the body to store less fat. Studies also suggest that stable insulin levels can contribute to slower aging, lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels.

How to Use Selenium for Health

Although your body only needs small doses of selenium for good health, if the fruits and vegetables you eat were grown in selenium depleted soil, you may not be getting enough of this trace mineral. You get selenium by eating meat and fish. However, if the animals ate grains low in selenium or fish lived in water that did not contain adequate amounts of selenium, again, you may not be getting enough of it in your diet.Some minor symptoms of selenium deficiency include muscle weakness, muscle inflammation, muscle pain and red blood cell fragility. If you have any of these symptoms and suspect you are not receiving enough selenium, you may want to see your doctor to test for selenium deficiency.

Instructions

1.Eat foods generally higher in selenium content such as Brazil nuts, tuna, cod, turkey, mushrooms, brewers yeast or wheat germ. Selenium supplementation should not be a normal part of your daily habit. If testing by a health care professional shows you are low in selenium and have a health condition that may be helped by supplementation, your doctor may suggest you specifically take a selenium supplement.

2.Take selenium to prevent prostrate cancer when suggested by your health care professional. Studies have shown, with men who have a low selenium level but normal PSA levels, that supplementing may prevent prostrate cancer which seems to be a growing ailment in older men.

 

 

3.Add selenium to your diet if you have cancer and tests have shown a low levels. Studies have shown that most cancer patients have a low level of this mineral, but it is unknown why. Studies continue to show that added selenium supplements and bringing the level of this mineral to normal in a cancer patient will have a beneficial result. Up until now it seems it has made a marked difference in some cancers and no difference in others.

 

 

4.Check your selenium level if you have hypothyroidism. Ask your health care professional for a test for this mineral as selenium is necessary for the conversion of thyroxin, the thyroid hormone. Studies have shown a deficiency in selenium can cause mental slowdown, fatigue, miscarriage and goiter which are all symptoms of hypothyroidism.

5.Test for selenium deficiency if you have diabetes II. Studies have shown that selenium levels are absolutely related to the disease. Diabetics generally show a lower selenium level. However, studies are still being conducted to see if additional selenium will help this disease.

 

 

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

When it comes to healthy hair, it’s not just what you put on your tresses that counts -- it’s what you put in your body, too.

1. Salmon

Besides being rich in protein and vitamin D (both are key to strong hair) the omega-3 fatty acids found in this tasty cold-water fish are the true superstar. Your body can't make those fatty acids, which your body needs to grow hair. About 3% of the hair shaft is make up of these fatty acids, Drayer says. Omega-3s are also found in cell membranes in the skin of your scalp, and in the natural oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated.
Other options: If salmon doesn't thrill you, you can also get essential fatty acids from fish like herring, sardines, trout, and mackerel, as well as avocado, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts (see below for more wonderful things about walnuts.)

2. Walnuts

These are the only type of nut that have a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. They're also rich in biotin and vitamin E, which helps protect your cells from DNA damage. Since your hair rarely gets much shielding from the sun, this is especially great, Drayer says. Too little biotin can lead to hair loss. Walnuts also have copper, a mineral that helps keep your natural hair color rich and lustrous, Fishman says.
Other options: Try using walnut oil in your salad dressing or stir-fry instead of canola or safflower, Fishman says

3. Oysters

Oysters are rich in zinc, a lack of which can lead to hair loss (even in your eyelashes), as well as a dry, flaky scalp. Three ounces has a whopping 493% of your daily value. You can get some zinc through fortified cereals and whole grain breads, but oysters can boast a good level of protein too. "Remember, hair is about 97% protein," Drayer says. Without enough protein, your body can't replace the hairs that you naturally shed every day and what you do make can be dry, brittle, or weak.

Other options: Get your fill of zinc with nuts, beef, and eggs.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great source of the antioxidant beta carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. "Basically, every cell of the body cannot function without enough A," Fishman says. It also helps protect and produce the oils that sustain your scalp, and being low on vitamin A can even leave you with itchy, irksome dandruff.
Other options: Carrots, cantaloupe, mangoes, pumpkin, and apricots are all good sources of beta carotene.

5. Eggs

A great source of protein, eggs are loaded with four key minerals: zinc, selenium, sulfur, and iron. Iron is especially important, because it helps cells carry oxygen to the hair follicles, and too little iron (anemia) is a major cause of hair loss, particularly in women, Drayer says.
Other options: You can also boost your iron stores with animal sources, including chicken, fish, pork, and beef.

6. Spinach

The iron, beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C in spinach help keep hair follicles healthy and scalp oils circulating.
Other options: Try similarly nutrient-rich dark, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard.

7. Lentils

Tiny but mighty, these legumes are teeming with protein, iron, zinc, and biotin, says Fishman, making it a great staple for vegetarian, vegans, and meat eaters.
Other options: Toss other beans such as soybeans (the young ones are called edamame) and kidney beans into your soup or salad.

8. Greek yogurt

Cruise the dairy aisle for low-fat options such as Greek yogurt, which is high in hair-friendly protein, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid -- an ingredient you'll often see on hair care product labels), and vitamin D. Emerging research links vitamin D and hair follicle health, but exactly how that works isn't clear, Fishman says.
Other options: Cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, and skim milk also fit the bill.

9. Blueberries

Exotic super fruits may come and go but when it comes to vitamin C, "It's hard to top this nutrient superhero," Drayer says. C is critical for circulation to the scalp and supports the tiny blood vessels that feed the follicles. Too little C in your diet can lead to hair breakage.
Other options: Kiwis, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and strawberries.

10. Poultry

This everyday entree is extraordinary when it comes to protein, as well as hair-healthy zinc, iron, and B vitamins to keep strands strong and plentiful. Because hair is nearly all protein, "foods rich in protein are literally giving you the building blocks for hair," Drayer says.

Other options: Lean cuts of beef are another good source of lean protein.

The Surprising Health Benefits of Papaya Seeds

While most people throw them away, papaya seeds and not only edible, small amounts of them in your diet can be surprisingly good for you.
Keep in mind though that chewing half a teaspoon of the seeds is not like eating papaya fruit. They have a strong flavor, more like a cross between mustard and black peppercorns.
If you can handle that, ahead are some of the main health benefits of papaya seeds, followed by some interesting ways to add them to your diet.

Papaya Seeds, Worms and Other Parasitic Infections

Like green papaya, the seeds contain high levels of proteolytic enzymes like papain which can help rid your body of parasites. In the same way that papain breaks down protein waste, it may also break down parasites and their eggs.

Good levels of digestive enzymes in your diet are also believed to help normalize the environment in your intestinal tract, making it less hospitable to worms and other parasites. Green papaya capsules and high-strength powder are a simple alternative if you don’t have the fresh fruit and its seeds available.
The seeds from papaya also contain a unique anthelmintic alkaloid called carpaine that has been shown to be very effective at killing parasitic worms and amoebas. There is much more detail on the parasite problem and a specific treatment to get rid of them in How to Use Papaya Seeds for Parasites.

Papaya Seeds as a Treatment for Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is a disease, often caused by excessive alcohol consumption over many years, wherein the liver shrinks and becomes hardened. In this state it is ineffective at removing toxins from the body, leading to a variety of serious health problems.

Papaya seeds are often reported as an effective treatment for liver cirrhosis. One method is to grind up around five dried seeds in a pepper grinder, or crush up fresh ones in a mortar and pestle, and mix them with a tablespoon of fresh lime juice. Drink this down twice a day for a month. Many cirrhosis sufferers have had dramatic improvements with this powerful natural treatment.

Even for people without such obvious liver damage, a small amount of papaya seeds taken regularly is said to help with liver detoxification. And anything that can improve the vital functions of the liver will be likely to improve our health in general.

Papaya Seeds as a Treatment for Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is a disease, often caused by excessive alcohol consumption over many years, wherein the liver shrinks and becomes hardened. In this state it is ineffective at removing toxins from the body, leading to a variety of serious health problems.
Papaya seeds are often reported as an effective treatment for liver cirrhosis. One method is to grind up around five dried seeds in a pepper grinder, or crush up fresh ones in a mortar and pestle, and mix them with a tablespoon of fresh lime juice. Drink this down twice a day for a month. Many cirrhosis sufferers have had dramatic improvements with this powerful natural treatment.
Obviously consult your doctor first if you are being treated for cirrhosis of the liver, especially with regards to the papain enzyme that may interfere with medications.
Even for people without such obvious liver damage, a small amount of papaya seeds taken regularly is said to help with liver detoxification. And anything that can improve the vital functions of the liver will be likely to improve our health in general

The Health Benefits of Cucumbers

Known scientifically as Cucumis sativus, cucumbers are related to watermelons, zucchini and pumpkins. Cucumbers grow on vines that sprawl along the ground. They usually grow to around 9 to 12 inches long and are cylindrical in shape. Hothouse grown cucumbers come in a seedless variety and can grow to 20 inches in length.

Cucumber Varieties

There are two types of cucumbers: slicing cucumbers, which are eaten fresh, and pickling cucumbers. Cucumbers are also known as gherkins when they are pickled.
Slicing Cucumbers
Long green slicing cucumbers come in several varieties

• Burpless are so named because they are easier to digest. They mature in 62 days and are a hybrid of the Chinese cucumber which train well on a trellis.
• Marketmore 76 mature to a dark shiny green in 68 days.
• Straight 8 are the most popular for their dark green, plump and straighter shape.

Hybrid Cucumbers
Recent hybrids have been developed that cluster on the vine. They are:

• Bush Crop which take 55 days to harvest. They grow in clusters of 6-8 inch fruit on dwarf, bushy plants instead of trellis vines.
• Fanfare are a popular hybrid that will mature in 63 days and are known for their great taste. They are bred to be a high yield, extended harvest, disease resistant cucumber plant.
• Salad Bush is another award winning hybrid that is ready for picking in 57 days. It produces uniform 8 inch fruit on compact plants and is quite disease tolerant as well.

Pickling Cucumbers
Pickling cucumbers are smaller than slicing ones. Both the Bush and the Carolina varieties are ready to harvest in about 48 days. The Carolina has a white spine and is more blocky in shape.

Growing Cucumbers

Plant cucumber seeds about 1/2 inch deep in rows every 12 inches, or three per 36 inches in a hill system style. If you grow them indoors then transplant them, make sure the soil is warm. Cucumbers have shallow roots so they need to be irrigated regularly during their growth cycle. Compost or well rotted manure mixed in with the soil will be beneficial.
Once the plants begin to vine, side dress them with a nitrate fertilizer for a greater crop yield. If you live in a windy area, wire cages can be used to train the vines. Try not to harvest them when wet.

Cucumber Nutritional Content

One medium sized slicing cucumber
Calories 13
Vitamin C 5.5 mcg
Molybdenum 5.6 mcg
Vitamin A 223.60 UI
Folate 13.52 mcg
Magnesium 11.44 mg
Fiber 0.83 g

Cucumber Health Benefits

Because cucumbers, like watermelons, are 95% water, they keep the body hydrated and help regulate the body’s inner temperature. They also help the body flush out toxins.
Leave the skin on. The skin contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 10% of the daily recommended allowance. If you do like your cucumbers peeled, the skin can be used to relieve sunburn and mild skin irritations, similar to aloe vera. There is some research indications that cucumbers can stimulate hair growth. Herbalists recommend cucumber juice to reduce puffiness around the eyes and to calm down acne.
Cucumbers can either relieve acid indigestion and heartburn or cause it, depending on the individual. They are a good source of dietary fiber.
Because it is rich in potassium and magnesium, it may help to lower blood pressure. Studies by DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) show eating cucumbers can help lower blood pressure by 5.5 points in some hypertension prone individuals when coupled with a diet of low starch and lean proteins.

Other studies have shown that cucumbers, when eaten regularly, help to regulate uric acid, so it is great for prevention of certain kidney or bladder stones.

credit :
http://www.gardeningchannel.com/the-health-benefits-of-cucumbers/

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

How is Lauric Acid Used by our body?

The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia. As a result of these various health benefits of coconut oil, though its exact mechanism of action was unknown, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system. The Coconut Research Center has compiled various references on scientific research done on coconut oil.