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Tag: black tea

Published on Leave a comment on Common Foods Linked to Improved Heart Function

The evidence keeps piling up that certain foods are associated with health, while other foods (e.g., soda, ultra processed foods) are associated with chronic diseases. A recent article reported the results of several studies finding certain foods linked to cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure.

But guess what? They are popular foods available to everyone - cocoa, green tea, black tea, apples, grapes, and berries.

There is strong evidence certain plant compounds (flavan-3-ols, also known as flavanols or catechins) in these foods have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. These compounds can lower blood pressure and improve endothelial function (functioning of the blood vessels). Two to three cups of tea daily! One to two servings of dark chocolate daily! Instead of chips for a snack, have an apple.

By the way, rather than focusing on eating just certain foods, it's better to improve your entire diet by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. All these foods are linked to good health and are considered part of a heart-healthy diet.

From Medscape: From Apples to Cocoa: Everyday Foods Linked to CV Benefits

The term “healthy diet” is often used but frequently remains vague. This is why scientific research into specific food components with preventive potential is gaining importance. Current studies suggest that certain plant compounds found in everyday foods such as apples, cocoa, and tea may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular (CV) health. ...continue reading "Common Foods Linked to Improved Heart Function"

Published on Leave a comment on Morning Coffee or Tea Improves A Person’s Mood

Many of us absolutely desire and need a caffeine containing beverage such as coffee or tea in the morning, and find it difficult to function without it. So, findings from a recent study shouldn't surprise us: morning coffee or other caffeinated drink boosts a person's mood .

Also not surprising: the improved mood was strongest in the first 2 1/2 hours after awakening. They also confirmed that a person can have caffeine withdrawal symptoms, which go away after drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea.

Duh...of course. Every person that drinks coffee or tea in the morning knows this. But at least a study has now confirmed this.

From Medical Xpress: Morning coffee boosts mood significantly, study finds

People who regularly consume caffeine are usually in a better mood after a cup of coffee or another caffeinated drink—an effect that is much more pronounced in the morning than later in the day. This finding comes from a new study by researchers at Bielefeld University and the University of Warwick, published in the journal Scientific Reports. Participants reported feeling significantly happier and more enthusiastic on those mornings compared with other days at the same hour when they had not yet had coffee. ...continue reading "Morning Coffee or Tea Improves A Person’s Mood"

Published on Leave a comment on Drinking Tea Every Day Has Health Benefits

Some good news. A study found that frequent consumption of foods and beverages containing flavonoids by elderly women had health benefits. Flavonoids are compounds found naturally in plants, and that have health-promoting effects.

The 881 women (aged 78 to 82 years) in the Australian study were less likely to have abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) if they ingested high levels of flavonoids in their diet. This is significant because AAC is a major predictor of cardiovascular disease events, such as heart attacks, strokes, and death.

Drinking black tea daily was their major source of flavonoids. Drinking 2 to 6 cups a day lowered the risk of having extensive AAC.

Good flavonoid sources are: black tea, green tea, wine, apples, nuts, citrus fruits, berries, grapes, onions, broccoli, kale, parsley, and dark chocolate. There are different types of flavonoids, each with different health-promoting effects. This is why it's good to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.

From Science Daily: Put the kettle on! How black tea (and other favorites) may help your health later in life

A daily cup of tea could help you to enjoy better health late in life -- however if you're not a tea drinker, there are other things you can add to your diet. ...continue reading "Drinking Tea Every Day Has Health Benefits"

Published on Leave a comment on Keep Caffeine To A Minimum During Pregnancy

Pregnant women have been advised to keep their consumption of coffee and other caffeinated beverages (tea, sodas, cocoa, energy drinks), and chocolate containing foods to a minimum for decades. Currently the American College of Obstetrics recommends that women consume less than 200 mg of caffeine (from any source) per day during pregnancy. This is less than 2 cups of regular coffee  or 4 cups of regular black tea. But a recent  study's findings suggest that the levels should be kept much lower.

The study of 941 mother/baby pairs in Ireland found that each 100 mg increase of caffeine per day was associated with a lower birth weight, shorter length of pregnancy (gestational age), shorter birth length of the baby, and smaller head circumference of the baby at birth. The strongest associations between those who consumed the most caffeine (when compared to those who consumed the least) was with lower birth weight.

The researchers think this occurs because caffeine crosses the placenta easily, but during pregnancy there is a slowed metabolism of caffeine (so it takes longer to get it out of the body). Similar results have been found in other recent studies. [On the other hand, for not pregnant women - coffee and tea are linked to all sorts of health benefits - here, here.]

From Medical Xpress: Caffeinated beverages during pregnancy linked to lower birth weight babies

...continue reading "Keep Caffeine To A Minimum During Pregnancy"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Benefits of Black tea

OK, this study was done in mice, but it's the kind of study results that everyone hopes (and thinks) is also true for humans. So drink a nice cuppa black tea and think about how you're increasing bacteria in the gut associated with weight loss.

Black tea (as well as green tea) has polyphenols that stimulate the growth of gut bacterium and the formation of short-chain fatty acids. By the way, the mice were given decaffeinated tea extracts, so theoretically both decaf and caffeinated tea should have benefits. The big question though is - will drinking black tea daily actually result in weight loss? From Medical Xpress:

Black tea may help with weight loss, too

UCLA researchers have demonstrated for the first time that black tea may promote weight loss and other health benefits by changing bacteria in the gut. In a study of mice, the scientists showed that black tea alters energy metabolism in the liver by changing gut metabolites. The research is published in the European Journal of Nutrition. The study found that both black and green tea changed the ratio of intestinal bacteria in the animals: The percentage of bacteria associated with obesity decreased, while bacteria associated with lean body mass increased.

Previous studies indicated that chemicals in green tea called polyphenols are absorbed and alter the energy metabolism in the liver. The new findings show that black tea polyphenols, which are too large to be absorbed in the small intestine, stimulate the growth of gut bacterium and the formation of short-chain fatty acids, a type of bacterial metabolites that has been shown to alter the energy metabolism in the liver.

The researchers also collected samples from the mice's large intestines (to measure bacteria content) and liver tissues (to measure fat deposits). In the mice that consumed either type of tea extract, there was less of the type of bacteria associated with obesity and more of the bacteria associated with lean body mass. However, only the mice that consumed black tea extract had an increase in a type of bacteria called Pseudobutyrivibrio, which could help explain the difference between how black tea and green tea change energy metabolism.

The new study also concluded that both green tea and black tea have different effects on liver metabolism. According to Henning, the molecules in green tea are smaller and can more readily be absorbed into the body and reach the liver directly, while black tea molecules are larger and stay in the intestine rather than being absorbed. When black tea molecules stay in the intestinal tract, they enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria and the formation of microbial metabolites involved in the regulation of energy metabolism. [Original study.]