Health and Wellness

The Hidden Health Benefits of Tea

March 04, 2022

What Are The Health Benefits of Tea?

People all over the world have been drinking tea for thousands of centuries, and for good reason. Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease.

While some brews provide more health advantages than others, there’s plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.

Put the kettle on, because we’re sharing some of the biggest benefits hidden in the world’s most popular teas.

White Tea Benefits

Known to have a delicate flavor, white tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant that’s native to China and India. It is also the least processed tea variety.

Research shows it may be the most effective tea in fighting various forms of cancer thanks to its high level of antioxidants. White tea may also be good for your teeth since it contains a high source of fluoride, catechins and tannins that can strengthen teeth, fight plaque, and make it more resistant to acid and sugar.

This variety also offers the least amount of caffeine, making it a smart choice for tea drinkers who want to avoid or limit their caffeine consumption.

Herbal Tea Benefits

Herbal teas, sometimes called tisanes, are very similar to white teas, but they contain a blend of herbs, spices, fruits or other plants in addition to tea leaves. Herbal teas don’t contain caffeine, which is why they’re known for their calming properties.

There are numerous types of herbal teas, all with their unique benefits. Some of the most popular herbal teas include:

• Chamomile tea – Helps to reduce menstrual pain and muscle spasms, improves sleep and relaxation, and reduces stress
• Rooibos – Improves blood pressure and circulation, boosts good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol, keeps hair strong and skin healthy, and provides relief from allergies
• Peppermint – Contains menthol, which can soothe an upset stomach and serve as a cure for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and motion sickness. This tea variety also offers pain relief from tension headaches and migraines.
• Ginger – Helps to fight against morning sickness, can be used to treat chronic indigestion and helps to relieve joint pain caused by osteoarthritis
• Hibiscus – Lowers blood pressure and fat levels, improves overall liver health, can starve off cravings for unhealthy sweets, and may prevent the formation of kidney stones

Green Tea Benefits

Green tea originates from China, where the leaves are processed with heat using a pan-firing or roasting method and Japan, where the leaves are more commonly steamed.

Green tea is exceptionally high in flavonoids that can help boost your heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and reducing blood clotting. Studies show this type of tea can also help lower blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol.

Other research has found that green tea has a possible impact on liver, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. This tea variety has also shown to be anti-inflammatory, which helps keep your skin clear and glowing.

In recent years, matcha – a form of green tea – has grown in popularity. Matcha is a very fine, high-quality green tea powder made from the entire leaves of tea bushes grown in the shade. Since it is the only form of tea in which the leaves are ingested, matcha contains even more antioxidants that regular green tea. In fact, some have suggested that one cup of matcha is the equivalent to 10 cups of regular green tea.

Black Tea Benefits

Black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant that’s used to make green tea. However, the leaves are dried and fermented, giving black tea a darker color and richer flavor.

Unlike many other varieties, black tea is caffeinated, so it’s important to monitor your intake. When you do pour yourself a cup of black tea, you benefit from flavonoids that combat inflammation and support healthy immune function.

However, you don’t have to merely drink black tea to benefit from its healthy properties. It can be steamed, cooled and then pressed on minor cuts, scrapes and bruises to relieve pain and reduce swelling. A black tea bath can also ease inflammation caused by skin rashes and conditions such as poison ivy.

Oolong Tea Benefits

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea variety that’s made from the same plant used to make green and black teas. The difference is how the tea is processed: Green tea is not allowed to oxidize much, but black tea is allowed to oxidize until it turns black. Oolong tea is somewhere in between the two, so it is partially oxidized. This partial oxidation is responsible for oolong tea's color and characteristic taste.

Oolong tea is notable for containing l-theanine, an amino acid that reduces anxiety and increases alertness and attention. Scientists have found that l-theanine can help prevent cognitive diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Oolong tea is also high in polyphenols, which are linked to lowering inflammation, preventing the growth of cancers and decreasing type 2 diabetes risk.

Teas To Avoid 

While a majority of teas are beneficial for your health, you may want to steer clear of these varieties:

• Detox teas made for fad diets that suggest you will quickly lose weight. These teas often come laced with laxatives that can be harmful to your health.
• Fancy tea lattes and drinks from your favorite chain store. While some of these drinks, such as a green tea latte, may appear healthy, they are loaded with sugar.
• Trendy bubble teas that are also loaded with sugar, calories and carbs, and have little to no nutritional value.
• Herbal teas that may potentially trigger allergies. Many herbal teas contain different types of fruits, herbs, spices and flowers that some people are allergic to. If you have allergies, always read the ingredients on the package before you consume a new herbal tea.

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/december/health-benefits-of-tea#:~:text=Numerous%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,lasting%20impact%20on%20your%20wellness

5-Ingredient Energy Bars

APPETIZERS & SNACKS  |  PUBLISHED MAR 25, 2020  |  UPDATED SEP 11, 2020  |  BY TAWNIE

These 5-ingredient energy bars are super delicious and packed with protein, antioxidants, Vitamin E, fiber and unsaturated fats. This recipe is perfect to enjoy as an energy bar or even crumbled up as granola.

Nothing beats making an energy bar from scratch! When running from one thing to the next it’s easy to rely on convenient foods or energy bars from the store. But these no-bake energy bars are so simple to make and then you’ll have 8 bars on hand to have for snacks, pre or post workouts, and breakfast.

One of the perks of making your own high-protein energy bars at home is that you’re in total control over the ingredients you add in.

This energy bar recipe was so easy and took me all of 20 minutes to put together. And the mix in’s are totally customizable.

You do need to keep the energy bars in the fridge after making to form and firm up for 2-3 hours (or overnight) so they are perfect for making before bed and enjoying with breakfast in the AM!

Energy bar ingredients

I couldn’t have made this energy bar recipe any easier! I wanted to create a healthy snack recipe that was super satisfying, tasted great, and kept you full. For this no-bake energy bar recipe, you’ll need:

• Quick 1-minute oats
• Almond butter or peanut butter
• Coconut oil
• Honey
• Almonds
• Optional mix ins: dried cranberries, chocolate chips, sliced dried apricots, coconut flakes, other nuts, etc.

Health benefits of nuts

It’s been proven time and time again from research the positive impact nut consumption has on our overall heart health. Nuts are tasty, convenient, and make for the perfect snack so you can easily incorporate them into your diet.

Peanuts are a good source of Vitamin E, Magnesium, Folate, Copper, and phosphorus. These healthy energy bars are also rich in fiber, which adds bulk to the diet and helps you feel full longer, while aiding in digestion.

If you have an allergy to nuts (like my hubby!), try using soy nut butter or sunflower seed butter to replace the nut butters!

How to make energy bars

1. To make this no-bake energy bar recipe, first gather all the ingredients. Then, mix the pulsed almonds, oats and cranberries in a large bowl. Melt the honey and peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat before mixing in with the oats.
2. Press the homemade energy bar mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish and store in the fridge for 2-3 hours (or overnight) and then cut into 8 bars! They can last up to 5 days in the fridge.

Are these energy bars gluten free?

If you purchase gluten-free oats or oats not processed in a facility with gluten, then yes!

Can I make these bars vegan?

Yes! To make this energy bar recipe vegan, use organic pure maple syrup instead of honey. Be sure to buy pure maple syrup and not pancake syrup (which is often made with corn syrup).

Can I freeze energy bars?

Yes, you can freeze these healthy energy bars! To do so, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer baggie. Press out all of the air and then store in the freezer until ready to eat. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1 month in the freezer.

Tips for making energy bars

• Quick cook oats are a must for this energy bar recipe. Old-fashioned oats are slightly too large and chewy for no-bake energy bars, and steel cut oats aren’t tasty raw.
• I’ve said this already, but feel free to play around with the mix in’s in these bars! You can use any dried fruit in this recipe, but you’ll want to dice larger pieces of fruit like dried apples or apricots before stirring them into the energy bar mixture.
• I prefer using all-natural nut butters for these healthy energy bars because they don’t contain added oils and sugars. But use whatever you have on hand and play around with it!

5-Ingredient Energy Bars

Perfect energizing snack for on the go, or pair with a piece of fruit for breakfast!

4.72 from 39 reviews

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Fridge time: 2 hours

Total Time: 20 minutes

 

Servings: 8 bars

 

Calories: 412kcal

 

Author: Tawnie Graham of Kroll’s Korner

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Ingredients:

•            1 cup almonds*, pulsed or roughly chopped
• ▢
  1 1/2 cup quick 1-minute oats, uncooked
• ▢
  1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)**
• ▢
  1 cup almond butter (or nut butter of choice)
• ▢
  2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
• ▢
  1/2 tsp. salt (optional)

Mix ins:

• ▢
  1 cup dried cranberries, dried tart cherries, chocolate chips, other dried fruits or nuts.

Instructions

• Place almonds, oats, and cranberries (or other mix ins you want) in a medium sized bowl. Heat the honey, coconut oil and nut butter in a small saucepan over low heat until mixed. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oat and almond mixture and stir together.
• Once mixed, transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish and flatten into a 1-inch thick square.
• Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight or for 2-3 hours. Then, cut and store in an airtight container. Will stay good for up to 5 days in fridge. (I also like to store mine in a freezer safe baggie. When I am ready to grab a bar, I'll let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes to soften and then enjoy!)
• Notes

• *Pulse almonds in food processor a couple times before mixing or you can roughly chop with a knife.
• **May sub honey for maple syrup. If vegan, use organic pure maple syrup
• ***May sub peanut butter for almond butter or your favorite nut butter.
• I also like to break up the bars and use as granola!
• Store bars in fridge or freezer (not in pantry or counter)

Find Kroll’s Korner on Instagram!

Mention @krolls_korner or tag #krollskorner

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 26g | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 528mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 2mg

https://krollskorner.com/recipes/5-ingredient-energy-bars/

Eating Sauerkraut To Stay Healthy

Fermented Food: Why Eating Sauerkraut Helps Your Gut Stay Healthy

Friday, February 18, 2022 0:01

By Manal Mohammed, University of Westminster

For decades fermentation was used to preserve foods, enhance shelf life, and improve flavour. But many people are not aware about the health benefits of fermented food.

Fermented foods are generally defined as “foods or beverages produced through controlled microbial growth, and the conversion of food components through enzymatic action”. That might be pickled cabbage or sauerkraut, the yoghurt drink kefir, sourdough bread and some pickles (only the lacto-fermented ones).

Fermented foods are rich in beneficial microbes and useful metabolites (substances produced during fermentation by bacteria and good for a healthy gut).

Several prominent research groups have suggested fermented foods may offer many health benefits, encourage weight loss and reduce risk of some diseases.

Food organisations and groups such as the Association of UK Dietitians now recommend eating fermented foods more often. For example, fermented milk and yoghurt are now being given to young children from the age of six months to help provide a good nutrient balance, to prevent iron deficiency in populations using cow’s milk and to reduce gastrointestinal infections.

Milk kefir grains. milk kefir, or búlgaros, is a fermented milk drink that originated in the Caucasus Mountains. Motorolka/Shutterstock

Another study found regular consumption of fermented foods could be especially important for low income, resource-challenged communities who are disproportionally susceptible to gastrointestinal infections like E. coli and Listeria.

Why do fermented foods work?

During fermentation, bacteria can produce vitamins and useful metabolites. Fermented foods contain potentially probiotic microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria. And, despite the short time these bacteria spend in the gut, they help with food digestion and boost our immune system. Probiotics in fermented food also strengthen the walls of the intestines to keep them from leaking their contents into blood so fermented food can contribute to the prevention of leaky-gut syndrome. It has also been found to contribute to prevention and treatment of diseases such as allergies and eczema.

Consumption of kimchi and other fermented vegetables may reduce asthma and atopic dermatitis. Other studies report the effect of fermented foods on reducing risks of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Consumption of fermented milk products reduced the risk of bladder cancer. Yoghurt-rich diets showed a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, in older Mediterranean adults where a cluster of conditions occur together (including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar and excess body fat).

Probiotics in fermented foods have health-promoting properties such as lowering cholesterol; one study demonstrated that several lactic acid bacterial strains have properties to lower blood cholesterol.

There appear to be other possible benefits, but more research is needed. A recent review demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of lactic acid bacteria in fermented food on a variety of tumour cells from intestine, liver and breast as they modulate the development of tumours. A diet composed of conjugated linoleic acid-rich foods, particularly cheese, may protect against breast cancer in post-menopausal women. However, not all studies agree and a pilot study in mice even suggested increased tumour growth.

Improving mood and sleep

Fermented foods are also shown to improve mood and sleep. Prebiotics, found in fermented food, are non-digestible ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in our gut. So eating fermented foods can make you feel happier as prebiotics in fermented food boost the gut’s health and promote the growth of several types of beneficial bacteria. This results in healthy levels of serotonin hormone which helps to stabilise moods, regulate feelings of wellbeing and happiness, regulate anxiety and control sleep. Fermentation-enriched chemicals are also linked to positive mental health. For a good sleep, you need to be kind to your gut and eating fermented food such as yoghurt, sauerkraut or kimchi before bedtime could help overcome insomnia.

During fermentation, lactic acid bacteria produce conjugated linoleic acids which have shown to have a blood pressure lowering effect. If the person has hypertension, they are more likely to experience mood issues (such as anxiety and depression) than a person with normal blood pressure.

Despite the many reported health benefits of fermented food some people may experience side effects. The most common reaction is a temporary increase in gas and bloating. This is the result of excess gas being produced after probiotics kill harmful gut bacteria and fungi.

Unfortunately others may experience headaches or a migraine, prompted by eating sauerkraut or kimchi, and this could be connected to histamines found in a plentiful amount in fermented foods. While symptoms of histamine intolerance may vary, some common reactions include headaches or migraines, nasal congestion or sinus issues, nausea and even vomiting (however this is relatively rare).

Over the centuries many people have eaten fermented food for convenience without realising their health benefits. Luckily many fermented foods are cheap and not complicated to make, giving us an easy way to improve our health and wellbeing.

https://beforeitsnews.com/health/2022/02/fermented-food-why-eating-sauerkraut-helps-your-gut-stay-healthy-3044533.html