Make the Switch! Coffee to Tea

Research shows that green and black teas have up to 8-10 times the antioxidants as fruits and vegetables which can add significantly to your health. The health benefit of drinking tea is chalked up to one explanation, antioxidants. Evidence shows by switching to tea you can add some significant health benefits. Having a hard time giving up your 4 cups of coffee each day?
Beware of doctoring up your tea with too much milk because this has been found to decrease the antioxidants. You can find these benefits in black, green, oolong and even iced teas! The research has found that regular tea drinkers - people who drink two or more cups per day - have less heart disease and stroke, lower cholesterol levels, and they may recover from heart attacks faster.
Don't despair coffee lovers! There are some teas out there that you may find match up to your love of coffee. For instance, Chai tea uses ginger and cardamom which overpowers the taste of the black tea but offers a rich, full bodied taste which is perfect for coffee consumers! Vanilla nut teas also tend to override the black tea taste for a richer flavor. Try some tea today to better your health!
©, 2005 Meri Raffetto
About the Author

Weight Loss With the Help of Green Tea

Studies show that the relation between green tea and weight loss are substantially linked together through the plant's thermogenic properties. Thermogenesis is the process by which the body produces heat by speeding up metabolism, burning calories, and breaking down fat. Certain substances in green tea are believed to help in the body's thermogenesis, thus contributing to weight loss.
Weight Loss in Other Herbs
Other than green tea, there are other natural herbs that contribute to weight loss. Gugulipid for instance has been shown to augment the metabolic rate of the body and help with thermogenesis, thus leading to weight loss. Gugulipid has also been reported as a catalyst for lowering down cholesterol levels.
Derived from a Japanese plant, Maitaki helps promote weight loss by targeting the liver, which is a major digestive part of the body. Another herb that aids in weight loss is Maitaki.
Maximizing Weight Loss Benefits in Green Tea
A standardized weight loss herbal extract of pure green tea is needed in order to maximize the weight loss benefits of green tea. The market offers several green tea weight loss products that do not use standardized extract. These non-standardized green tea weight loss products are cheaper but do not contain enough active green tea substances to have any significant weight loss benefits.
Scientists and traditional herbalists believe that better weight loss results are achieved when green tea is used in conjunction with other weight loss herbs and with other nutrients. So before buying a green tea weight loss product, it is advisable that you choose a product that contains a rich blend of green tea herbs, minerals and nutrient that aid in weight loss.
By mixing green tea with CoQ 10, you will not only achieve maximum weight loss but you will also be able maintain the health of several body systems at one time. Green tea helps stop blood vessel constriction while CoQ 10 protects the heart and ensure blood pressure levels. Green tea when combined with ginger and olive leaf helps lower cholesterol and promotes weight loss.
The Ideal Green Tea Weight Loss Product
The first thing to make sure of when buying green tea products assures you that you are getting a product of the highest quality.
Companies or manufacturers that claim 100% success in their green tea products are doing false advertising and should not be patronized. This means that the success or effectiveness of these products do not have any guarantees. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, herbal products such as green tea are considered dietary supplements.
For assurance that you're getting your money's worth when you buy a green tea product, find a product that is using standardized green tea extract. Look for strict GMP compliance and make sure that the manufacturer of the green tea product has all the proper credentials in product formulation.

Green Tea: Help Or Hype?

Have you ever wondered: "Is it really worth my while to drink tea of the green variety?" Stick around and decide for yourself. I'm certain you've heard it, too. There's been lots of health-hype lately surrounding the benefits of green tea.
First: The Claims:
A rich source of anti-oxidants:
Green tea will help you bulk up on the anti-oxidant warriors that help to both lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease by controlling blood pressure. Free radical damage can cause everything from sun damage to hardening of the arteries. Anti-oxidants neutralize "free radicals" or unstable molecules in the body that can eventually become unfriendly and wreak havoc on the cells. What are anti-oxidants?
Cancer prevention:
New evidence suggests green tea may also help prevent prostate cancer, as well. The cancers studied and which have been recorded include: bladder, colon, esophagus, pancreas, rectal and stomach. Green tea has been shown to lower rates of cancer in Asian populations.
Help with arthritis:
Studies also suggest there is possible anti-inflammatory and arthritis preventing effects in green tea although, I'll admit, solid scientific evidence was difficult to come by. By simple suggestion, I'll give green tea an A for effort in the arthritis category.
Liver protection:
Green tea protects the liver by warding off toxins such as alcohol and cigarette smoke. Green tea has been proven to protect liver cells by stimulating the immune system.
Teeth protection:
Green tea is supposed to work against bacteria, protecting teeth from cavities. Green tea has been thought to promote oral health (although scientific proof was difficult to come by here, too).
Weight loss:
Green tea contains polyphenols (molecule compounds) that actually help the body to burn weight and regulate both blood sugar and insulin levels. Yes! Several sources I found claimed that green tea may actually help to stimulate weight loss. Here's another benefit that will raise many an eyebrow.
The Bad News
What's the bad news?
per 8 ounce cup. That's less than half the caffeine content of coffee which weighs in at 90 mg. It looks like there's only 30-60mg in 6-8 ounces of tea, however.

The only negative side effect I've found is the simple recorded cases of insomnia due to naturally occurring caffeine in green tea.
Other FAQ's About Green Tea:
How much green tea is enough to reap the benefits?
No one seems to be too sure about the answer to this question, either. Let's be realistic - most people could easily drink 3-4 cups of green tea daily. This is a good round number and one that I came up with based on its frequency in the research studied. A suggestion: why not try replacing your usual cup of coffee with a clean dose of health?
Where to get a good cup of tea?
Check out your local grocery for my favorite: Lipton. There's plenty of others, but I like the way Lipton aims to zip up green tea with variety. They even have a orange, passionfruit & jasmine flavor that's de-lish!
If drinking tea really isn't your thing, but you still want the benefits - no problem! Green tea is now available in capsule form, too. This could be as close as your local pharmacy. Check around.
In summation:
In this scientist's opinion, green tea is well worth your consideration. The simple speculation of benefits is enough to get excited about it. It's easy to digest, tastes good and, hey, if it helps me with my goal of wellness and illness prevention, I'll take ample tea time, any day!
Research for this article has been created through careful consideration of research and articles appearing on WebMD and though several working texts which include:
Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing. New York: Penguin Putnam, 2004.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1988. The New Age Herbalist. Mabey, Richard.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992. Herb Bible. Mindell, Earl, R.Ph., Ph.D.
Tierra, Michael L.Ac., O.M.D. The Way of Herbs. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998.
About The Author

Laura Turner is a natural health practitioner and author. She hosts
http://www.beauty-and-body.com
and publishes the bi-weekly New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy People Read. (
http://www.new-body-news.com
) Subscribe for f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of Your Health!"

TsuNoni - Green Tea Meets Noni

East Meets West
Asian cultures have realized the medical benefits of green tea for centuries. Those who drank it lived longer, healthier lives. Now science has discovered the reason behind the green tea phenomenon. Polyphenols, the antioxidants in green tea, can actually help lower cholesterol and promote healthy heart function. Plus studies show it is a great weight loss aid, helping to boost metabolism and suppress appetite. Given the amount of green tea needed to deliver these health benefits, it is almost impossible to drink enough in our busy lives.
Unfortunately, the awful taste and foul odor prevent most of us from drinking it. Those in Noni are actually a form of dietary fiber, promoting proper digestion and enhancing your immune system. Those in Noni are different than the typical sugar type.

Those in Noni are different than the typical sugar type. The polysaccharides in Noni are different than the typical sugar type. Extensive research has finally unlocked the secret of Noni. Polynesians rubbed this tropical fruit on burns and sores to relieve pain. Across the ocean in Polynesia, Noni is used for its' health-regenerating properties.
Green Tea Meets Noni
These two bitter ingredients actually become a tasty and powerful blend, known as TsuNoni. However, just the opposite occurs. When combined, one would think green tea and Noni would make an unpalatable combination.
In fact, this synergistic result is so rare, TsuNoni was issued a patent. When separate, Noni contains 11 mgs of antioxidants per gram and green tea has 88 mgs per gram. But when combined, lab studies prove these super-foods deliver 47% more antioxidants per gram. This 1+1=3 combination packs over 400 mgs of polyphenols and 70 mgs of polysaccharides per serving. TsuNoni is a healthy, effervescent fusion that tastes absolutely amazing.