Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Do not Mix Milk with Tea



In addition to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. The content of antioxidants, vitamins, and other components in tea making tea as a beverage believed to enhance immune function and prevent cancer.

Some research also suggests tea can prevent cavities, maintain blood sugar levels, and heart healthy.

In many places, the tea is often served with milk. Although the result is delicious, but the study says adding milk to tea could be efficacious in reducing the content of tea.

In a study published in the European Heart Journal, the researchers tested 16 healthy adults were asked to drink a cup of black tea, black tea mixed with non-fat milk, and water is cooked. Then the respondents measured vascular function.

When compared with water, black tea significantly improved arterial function. But the addition of a little milk instead causing properties of tea did not appear.

The researchers then repeated in rats and get the same results. According to experts, the protein in milk will bind and neutralize the antioxidants in tea. Milk actually inversely related benefits of tea vascular function.

Loss is not just caused by cow's milk, but also by soy milk. Protein in soy milk tea antioxidants neutralize. Therefore, if you want to get the health benefits of tea, maybe tea and milk should be taken separately.

Friday, February 3, 2012

6 Beverages for Heart Health



Genetic factors can affect a person's risk for heart disease. But the good news, the disease is largely preventable. We may have heard the sage advice that said, to keep the heart healthy, it must begizi eating and regular exercise.

But it is not just a lifestyle change that can be done to reduce the risk of heart disease. What you drink can also make a difference. The following are some of the recommended types of beverages that can help maintain a healthy heart:

1. Coffee

Maybe it sounds strange at first glance. But did you know that coffee has higher antioxidant activity than cocoa or tea? Eating the right amount of coffee may inhibit inflammation and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A study of long-term and large-scale, in which involved more than 83,000 women showed that drinking two cups of coffee a day can cut stroke risk 20 percent lower than those who drank little or no coffee at all.

Suggestion: Drink between 2 to 4 cups of coffee per day including moderate category. But if you suffer from insomnia, anxiety and fatigue, just drink one glass only.

2. Pomegranate juice

In recent years the reputation of pomegranate juice soared and alluring nutrition researchers. Why not, the experts from the University of California found that the antioxidant capacity of pomegranate juice three times higher than red wine and green tea. Even early studies showed that regular consumption of pomegranate juice may lower cholesterol, reduce arterial plaque (a risk factor for heart disease), and increases blood flow to the heart.

Tip: If possible, avoid additional sweetener when making pomegranate juice.

3. Red wine (red wine)

Red wine contains many compounds that can protect heart health, including resveratrol. Resveratrol has antioxidant properties that can protect blood vessels in the heart and help prevent the formation of blood clots. Some evidence also showed that consumption of red wine in moderate amounts can increase HDL (good cholesterol).

Tip: For women, it is recommended no more than 1.5 cups per day. As for the men, no more than 2 cups.

4. Black tea

Black tea is produced through the fermentation process after the leaves are harvested and dried. This processing change the chemical composition of leaves, resulting in several powerful antioxidants that help support heart health. Black tea has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke, reduce LDL (bad cholesterol), improving the function of blood vessels, and increasing blood flow in the coronary arteries.

Tip: The longer you dip the tea, the greater the benefits derived phytochemicals. Therefore, serving tea with hot water would be much better while maintaining antioxidant content is maintained. Drinking several cups of black tea a day can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

5. Green tea

Such as black tea, green tea contains many antioxidants that are good for the heart. The main difference is that green tea is not fermented. A 2004 study suggests that drinking green tea in large quantities to prevent the risk of coronary artery disease. There are many studies linking green tea consumption with lower cholesterol, preventing blood clots and stroke.

Advice: Drink 1-3 cups of green tea a day.

6. Water

Dehydration can contribute to multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease, including gore. When you are dehydrated, the blood becomes more viscous. This condition makes your heart to expend more energy to pump blood throughout the body. In fact, chronic dehydration can cause hypertension (high blood pressure).

Tip: Many experts recommend at least a day a person should drink 8-10 glasses of water (for adults). But on the amount to be taken can not apply to every person and every condition. To be sure, do not let your body get dehydrated. You can also add juice or lemon juice into warm water to add flavor as well as decay and obtain the benefits of antioxidants.