Now here is a hot topic, the many benefits of green tea (Camellia sinensis). As you read through this keep an open mind, all of these benefits are not going to happen over night, aswell they are still being investigated.

Since ancient times green tea has been considered a health-promoting beverage. In recent years, researchers worldwide have investigated the potential benefits of green tea and its most abundant catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This very powerful antioxidant has been plastered all over health products recently and is labeled as green tea extract.

Unlike black tea, green tea production involves very little processing and fermentation and therefore, green tea brews are rich in catechins. Green tea has been rumored to have a number of potential health benefits in areas such as cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention, glucose homeostasis (blood sugar spikes and dips), bone and dental health. In addition to serving as antioxidant, green tea polyphenols may increase the activity of andioxidant enzymes in the small intestine, liver and lungs. While doing my research for this entry most studies concluded that although there is some promising evidence in all of these areas, more research and clinical trials are needed.

Due to the dramatic rise of obesity, metabolic syndrome (see definition below) and type 2 diabetes, green tea is now being looked into for its connections in these areas more than ever. Diet and exercise have been proven to be particularly important for prevention and early management of metabolic syndrome. It has been shown that green tea, when consumed on a daily basis, combined with a healthy active lifestyle supports health.

Finally, green tea may also boost you metabolism and fat oxidation and in particular during physical activity. Small and collective effects on digestion and metabolism could be responsible for the longer-tem effects of green tea on the body, and these long-term effects especially with moderate physical activity.

The September 2009 edition of Oxygen Magazine had an article that really caught my eye, called “Lose fat with green tea”. They suggest that ‘the more you drink, the more fat you can shed’. Now, I agree that there have been connections made between green tea and health benefits, but I feel that is a little early to be making statements like ‘loose 11 pounds’. Now don’t get me wrong, I love reading Oxygen for motivation but I just have a hard time believe such strong statements,  there is more to the story.

Even though there green tea lacks the scientific backing, I still give it a thumbs up, this is because it is packed full of antioxidants and with all the environmental stressors that we encounter each day it is essential that we fight back. I look forward to the results of future studies on green tea, I really do hope all of the potential benefits are true!

If you are a coffee drinker, green tea everyday may seem unreasonable. What I did was try substituting green tea where I would normally have coffee. This was hard at first but once you get into the green tea groove, you’ll find that you have completely forgotten about that wonderful taste of coffee.

What is metabolic syndrome?

It is a group of conditions that put you at risk for heart disease and diabetes. These conditions are:

-High blood pressure

-High blood sugar levels

-High levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood

-Low levels of HDL, the ‘good’ fat, in your blood

-Too much fat around your waist (visceral fat)

There is much debate over the definition or cause of metabolic syndrome. The cause might be insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone your body produces to help you turn sugar from food into energy for your body. If you are insulin resistant, too much sugar builds up in your blood, setting the stage for disease.

MEDLINE PLUS

Tips for preparation:

-For green tea, heat the water to just below a boil, all other teas bring to a boil.

-steep for 3-5 minutes, if you are using a tea bag, dunk it a few times.

-try adding honey or lemon, it can help increase the absorption of all the green tea goodies.

-try it cold! It will keep for up to 3 days if refrigerated.

Turkey Burgers:

1 package of extra lean ground turkey

1 tsp dry mustard

1/2 diced sauted onion

Pinch of salt of pepper

1 egg- try the Omega 3 variety

1/2 cup bran ( a sneaky way of adding fibre)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 pinch of chili flakes (optional)

Preparation:

1- place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

2- Form 4-5 patties. Preheat grill.

3- Spray grill with cooking spray and place patties on the grill.

4-Cook until they are no longer pink inside.

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