Tips on Minimizing Caffeine in Green Tea

Posted on July 3rd, 2009 in Nutrition by admin

When someone mentions green tea, what comes in your mind? Antioxidants? Health benefits? Weight loss? Caffeine? There are a lot of benefits that can be taken from green tea. Although, caffeine is not really ideal for most green tea drinkers. They may have some objections or second thoughts when it comes to drinking tea because of insomnia that can be caused by green tea’s high caffeine content.

Worry not dear drinkers and advocates of green tea. There is a better way of drinking green tea without experiencing the effects of caffeine or otherwise minimizing it.

Tip # 1 – Start moderately

Fact is, a cup of green tea contains a caffeine level of about 20-70 milligrams. With this kind of caffeine in your diet, it’s assured to keep you awake from dusk till dawn if your body is not used to drinking such dosage. Best advise is to take in small doses and try to observe your reactions. Start with a cup a day, then, when things still feel normal, increase gradually. Every time you increase, always observe for adjustments in your body. If you feel uneasy and somewhat irritated, then you can decrease to the level that your body can tolerate. If you are including it in your meal, and you’re feeling more calm and contented, green tea is for you.

Tip # 2 – Get to know your tea

There are several kinds of green tea, Different kinds mean different levels of caffeine. It is stated by researchers that, the type of tea leaf used, the more caffeine it can produce. You can’t indicate caffeine levels through color. Gyokuro is highly caffeinated compared to Lapsang Souchong which is a kind of dark tea.

Tip # 3 – Brew half strength

Very good solution for caffeine intolerance. To control your intake of green tea, you can choose to purchase loose green tea to allow you to adjust the way your green tea is brewed. The normal loose green tea brewing is at least two teaspoons. You can cut off the dosage in half. If you find the effects weak, increase it bit by bit.

Tip # 4 – Drink it while it’s hot

Cathechin, the one that contains powerful antioxidants and theanine, this provides freshness and sweetness, can both decrease the level of caffeine activity of in the body. Brewing allows the molecules of catechin and theanine to combine together with caffeine in hot temperature. This will render caffeine to be less effective. If you let your hot green tea to cool off after brewing, the molecules that is bonded with caffeine will breakdown and releasing caffeine.

Tip # 5 – Avoid teabags

Compared to loose green tea leaves, green tea bags can’t give you enough nutrition thus, giving you more caffeine in the process. Quality suffers from teabags. Rather choose green tea leaves that are loose.

Tip # 6 – Be familiar with your tolerance level

Several experts would recommend the consumption of not more than 300 milligrams of caffeine daily. Green tea has been found out that it can provide a steady and gentle source of stimulation. Side-effects like headaches and nervousness may be felt.

With these tips on how to minimize the effects of caffeine contents in your green tea, you can enjoy more tea with less caffeine.

Lose weight with green tea

The Side Effects of Green Tea During Pregnancy

Posted on July 1st, 2009 in Nutrition by admin

It is very important to monitor the health of pregnant women to ensure the health of the mother and the baby. Some expectant mothers are quite anxious because of the various changes that take place in their body. Doctors often recommmend a diet regimen for pregnant mothers and if you’re among those pregnant women out there, you should be extra careful with your food intake to avoid any problems or complications.

According to some studies, drinking too much green tea during pregnancy is not good. Why is that? Well, doctors and researchers were able to prove that green tea contains caffeine. Caffeine intake is discouraged during pregnancy because of certain side effects.

Despite the many health benefits of green tea which includes preventing cancer, improving the heart’s health, boosting the immune system, aids digestion, lowers cholesterol, dental health, lowers the level of blood sugar, and many others, it is not advisable to drink green tea when you’re pregnant.

Studies have proven that green tea contains EGCG or epigallocatechins which affects the use of folate in the body. Folate is very important during pregnancy because it can help in preventing birth defects in the neural tube. EGCG becomes harmful in pregnancy because it resembles the structure of methotrexate. The latter can get rid of cancer cells by bonding an enzyme called DHFR or dihydrofolate reductase.

The folate pathway contains these enzymes and since the EGCG is similar to methotrexate, it also binds with the enzyme and when this happens, the enzyme is inactivated. Once the enzymes are inactivated, the body can’t use folate effectively. There hasn’t been any conclusive studies which show how much green tea a pregnant woman should consume or how much folate can be affected.

Some doctors recommend pregnant women to drink moderate amount of tea as well as coffee. If you’re still unaware, green tea also contains caffeine and when you’re pregnant, it’s not good to drink a lot of beverages which contain caffeine. So if you want to be extra sure, don’t forget to ask your doctor next time you have an appointment. Always keep in mind that your health and that of your baby is of great importance.

Besides, there are already studies which proves caffeine to cause miscarriage and lower birth weight among babies. Drinking around six cups of coffee per day can definitely affect your baby’s weight at birth. If you don’t want your baby to suffer, you can have a cup of coffee a day or if you want, you can just stop drinking coffee. The caffeine content in green tea is lower than that of coffee and so you can drink more than one cup; but as said earlier, ask your doctor about it first.

Pregnancy will only take nine months and so you need to enjoy it. Even if you experience a lot of body changes, just think that you will rejoice the day your precious baby comes. If you can avoid drinking caffeined drinks, then try to stay away from them.

Although the health benefits of green tea are remarkable, it does contain caffeine and no study has yet established the right amount of green tea intake especially among pregnant women. If you’re not pregnant and you don’t have any problems related to caffeine intake, then you can drink as many tea as you like. Right now, be careful in drinking green tea; perhaps you can settle for a small cup every other day just to satisfy your thirst for it.
When you feel anything abnormal, seek the help of your doctor at once. Besides, its just going to be for nine months and after that, you can resume in drinking tea again. Aside from not taking caffeinated drinks, you’re also not allowed to take just any kind of medicine because it can be harmful to your baby.

It goes without saying always think of your baby’s safety before you do anything.

Lose weight with green tea

The Benefits of Green Tea: Why It’s Good For You

Posted on June 29th, 2009 in Nutrition by admin

For thousands of years, the Chinese have been drinking green tea that has long been attributed for its medicinal properties, which the Chinese believe to be responsible for treating different kinds of illness, and it is also linked to longevity where the Chinese have the highest rate for people over the age of a hundred. However, although the Chinese have been drinking this kind of tea for centuries, it was only recently that green tea has been introduced and became popular throughout the planet.

Scientists and nutritionists have found that this wonderful brew does indeed have medicinal properties that can help in preventing several types of illnesses, which even includes cancer. In fact, there are even doctors who recommend green tea and even endorses that this particular tea plays a great role in maintaining good health.

Health professionals all over the world recommend that people should drink 3 to 4 cups of green tea a day in order to help in protecting the body against various ailments.

So, just what are the benefits of this so called miracle brew that it even baffled health professionals from all over the world?

First of all, this tea contains high levels of antioxidants, which are called polyphenols or flavonoids.

What are antioxidants you may ask?

First of all, you need to understand that the body does millions of processes occurring at all times. Even when you are asleep, the brain is active and will require oxygen in order to function properly. However, the oxygen that we breathe in can create harmful side effects, or what most people know as oxidants. These oxidants or commonly known as free radicals are introduced to our system through external sources, such as pollution, stress, smoking, diet, and even exposure to the sun.

And, these free radicals are known to be one of the main contributors in the growth of cancer cells.

So, in order to counteract the effect of oxidants or free radicals, we will need to introduce antioxidants in our body. And, green tea has a lot of them. Although some foods do have antioxidants, you will see that green tea has a lot more.

In fact, the antioxidants found on green tea are much higher than that found in grape juice and red wine. This explains why there are a lot of scientists who are studying the benefits of green tea.

Besides antioxidants, this brew also contains vitamins, such as vitamin B6, which plays a vital role in the metabolism of the body, as well as vitamins B1 and B2, which are essential for releasing energy from food.

Another great thing about this tea is that it has key minerals and contains magnesium, which is essential for bone growth and body development as well as potassium, which helps in keeping the heart pumping normally and maintain the body’s fluid levels.

All in all, green tea can provide great benefits to the body. It can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, it discourages diabetes from developing, and it also is a very good treatment for bad breath.

And that’s not all; there are some studies that found that green tea can also fight acne, Alzheimer’s disease, and fights of bad cholesterol which are the sole contributors for heart diseases and stroke.

Today, there are also some scientists that claims to find that green tea may contain the key ingredient for finding a cure to HIV as it helps boosts the body’s immune system.

These are just some of the great benefits of green tea. So, the next time you feel like drinking tea or coffee, you might want to go for green tea. With this brew, you can be sure that you will be able to enjoy a refreshing drink as well as a healthier body.

Lose weight with green tea

The Antioxidising Benefits of Green Tea

Posted on June 28th, 2009 in Nutrition by admin

People have been drinking green tea for centuries now. This is probably one of the oldest beverage preparation in history. Have you ever wondered why people drink green tea until now? Well, studies have proven that drinking green tea has a lot of health benefits. For one, it is well known to have antioxidising benefits. The animal kingdom needs oxygen in order to survive and that includes the humans.

Body processes need oxygen. This element is abundantly found in the air and with proper intake, it burns the glucose and fat present in the body to supply the needed heat and energy. So you see, oxygen is an essential element needed by the body but anything in excess is harmful and too much oxygen can also have negative effects.

The byproducts of oxidation are free radicals. Sometimes, other molecules interact with the free radicals and so these molecules are also turned into free radicals which can disrupt the normal functioning of the said molecules. If this continue to happen, it could lead to tissue damage and finally, cell destruction.

There are even times when the abnormal functioning of molecules can lead to certain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, artherosclerosis, cancer, heart diseases, and Parkinson’s disease. Humans are quite fortunate because their bodies are equipped with the right defenses in order to prevent the free radical’s harmful effects.

By eating a lot of fruits and vegetables which contain antioxidants, the free radicals are prevented from causing any harm to the human body. Aside from fruits and vegetables, you can also get antioxidants from green tea. As you can see, by drinking green tea and eating the right amount of fruits and veggies, you can prevent diseases and cell damage.

The tea plant or Camellia Sinensis is popular for its antioxidants which fights diseases. The Chinese people have been using the tea plant for centuries and you can usually find green tea in every household. The Chinese believe that the tea is a very healthy beverage whic promotes good health and well being. Aside from China, green tea is also widely used in Thailand, India, and Japan.

Traditional Chinese and Indian medicines usually contain green tea because it can serve as a stimulant, an astringent (to heal wounds and control bleeding), as a diuretic (to promote the excretion of urine), and an agent that can improve the heart’s health. Green tea is rich in polycatechins which is responsible for the many health benefits. The tea also contains other ingredients which further enhance its antioxidising properties.

Catechins are powerful antioxidants. Aside from it, green tea contains vitamins C, E, and A. It also has properties which makes it anti-carcinogenic, neuro-protective, cardio-protective, and anti-microbial. Green tea is well known to prevent cancer because of the antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate.

Now that you know the benefits of drinking green tea, don’t you think it’s also time that you start taking it? Let healing wonders of green tea improve your overall health. There are now a lot of green tea products sold in the market at very affordable prices. aside from the green tea drinks, you can also find health supplements which contain extracts of green tea. For optimum health and well being, try to incorporate green tea to you diet.

If you’re trying to lose weight or you simply want to maintain your current weight, it would also help a lot if you make it a habit to drink green tea before, during, and after meals. But always remember, too much of anything can also be harmful. So just take green tea in the right amount.

Lose weight with green tea

Losing Weight and Green Tea, The Relation

Posted on June 26th, 2009 in Nutrition by admin

A lot of people are suffering from health problems these days. If you’re one of them, perhaps you’ve already taken the necessary steps in order to shed some pounds off. Admit it, It’s hard to follow diet plans especially with so many temptations around you.

Drinking plain water everyday may have tempted you to drink fizzy sodas instead without even thinking that these sodas contain a lot of sugar and of course, calories. Have you ever realized that you can also drink green tea and incorporate it in your diet plan? A lot of individuals with weight problems are already into the green tea hype; so, do you want to join them?

Well, if you still don’t know, green tea has many benefits and it can help you in losing weight. As long as you can exercise regularly and you strictly monitor your diet, you can take green tea as many times as you like. The tea is capable of burning fat because of its certain properties and this is the reason why a lot of people who want to lose weight are now rushing to the groceries to buy green tea. You can check diet plans and see if they promote the intake of green tea. Since medical communites are now able to look into the tea’s excellent health properties, perhaps it has already tapped the environment of dieters, including the experts.

Dieters are usually discouraged to eat large amount of food and if ever you do eat a small portion, you will always crave for more because you’re still hungry. Try to drink water if you do feel hungry especially before eating. If you don’t like to drink water, you can drink green tea instead. You can have it cold or warm and if you’re not that sensitive to taste, you can add a little honey or lemon juice.

There are also dieters who prefer to drink green tea during meals. This is also good because it helps in the digestion process and it will also keep you hydrated. The tea is also known to suppress appetite so you will surely lose some weight. If you no longer have the appetite to eat, then you will not be consuming a large amount of food. Just a small serving of food will do and you will already feel as if you’ve eaten a lot of food.

It’s quite hard for dieters not to be tempted to eat between meals but by drinking a few cups of green tea you can fill your hunger somehow. A glass of tea can already replace your snacks. Learn to control yourself because that is the only way for you to shed those unwanted pounds. Without discipline, you will gain more weight. Aside from losing weight, drinking green tea has other benefits.

By incorporating it to your diet, you can boost the immune system, prevent cancer, and it can make you a healthier individual. Here’s a little secret - in order to see the effects of green tea in your weight regimen, substitute a glass of tea for your snacks. Make it a habit to drink green tea everyday and you can also take the supplements if you want.

The supplements can act as your body’s fat burners so that you can lose weight in no time. If you start drinking it now, you will be able to see the effects soon. Tell your fellow dieters about the amazing healing properties of green tea and how it can help in losing weight. You and your friends can all try if green tea is truly effective in losing weight.

Some stores sell the tea leaves and you can just prepare the beverage at home. Ask the seller how to prepare the tea leaves. If you’re in a hurry, you can just buy the ready-to-drink green tea in plastic bottles. There are a lot of bottled green teas in the grocery stores and you just need to choose the one you like. Instead of drinking coffee and other drinks, shift to green tea.

It is not only a less costly beverage but it can help you lose weight and can make you a healthier individual.

Lose weight with green tea

How to Brew Green Tea

Posted on June 23rd, 2009 in Nutrition by admin

To experience the utmost health benefits, green tea is preferably brewed rather than fermented. Fermentation is most likely used in black tea but never in green tea. There are basically three important reasons why brewing is used in green tea.

Reason # 1 – Brewing doesn’t eliminate the important nutrients, vitamins and components that comprises green tea. On the other hand, fermentation wastes there components leaving other beverages with nothing but the idea that it is tea and people can get something from it.

Reason # 2 – Brewing can bring out the best in catechin and theanin for these two elements contribute to a lower level of caffeine in your green tea.

Reason # 3 – Enhance taste and aroma. Indeed, brewing has a very enticing smell that can’t be found in fermented beverages.

If you wanted to have a good green tea, brew it. Although, if you keep on wondering why you’re green tea tastes a bit strange compared to other great tasting brewed green tea, maybe there’s something terribly wrong with how you prepare your tea.

Brewing green tea is easier contrary to what people think. To learn more on how to brew the best green tea, read the instructions below.

Step 1 – Water

Choosing what kind of water to use is a very important detail that you have to take note of. Ideally, manufacturers would prefer brewing green tea using soft mineral water or natural water. If you can’t afford purchasing bottled water daily, you can take into consideration tap water. Here, you would know how tap tasteless water can be converted into one soothing beverage. If you’re planning to use European bottled water, don’t. It’s because this kind of water are considered as hard water that is not suitable for brewing green tea.

Step 2 – Chlorine-free

Chlorine must not be mixed with the process. To remove it, just leave your water in your pot for a couple of hours before finally boiling it.

Step 3 – Boiling process

Depending on how much water you have put will be the time it will boil. The more water, the more time it will take to boil. When you have noticed that the water is already boiling, take off the lid of the pot and let it boil continuously for a few minutes more.

Step 4 – Temperature

It is said that correct temperature of boiling water will vary on the kind of tea that you are about to use. This is the moment when extraction of polyphenols take place.

Step 5 – Steep

Let your tea leave steep for about three to five minutes. With longer steeping time, the polyphenol level increases while if steeping time takes only for a couple of seconds, it will result to bring about more caffeine in the tea. The moment the caffeine content in your green tea is increased, it will result to a decreased polyphenol content which is one of the main reasons why antioxidants are made.

There is an additional knowledge regarding brewing.

Tea leaves

Research shows that it is better to brew green tea leaves that are smaller because of the fast infusion. Choosing large leaves or ones that are tightly curved can have a longer infusion time.

Teabags or loose leaves?

It is more advisable to use loose green tea than green tea teabags. Loose green tea enables polyphenols to freely float inside your cup of green tea instead of locking them inside your teabag.

Lose weight with green tea

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