Health Benefits of Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea that is prepared from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which is the same plant that’s used to prepare green and black teas. The differences between various teas usually lie in the procession method. For example, oolong tea is partially fermented. Furthermore, while green tea is not oxidized much and black tea is oxidized completely until it turns black, oolong tea is only partially oxidized – giving rise to the tea’s color and characteristic taste. 

 

Oolong tea, like all other teas, has a number of health benefits. If you haven’t tried it before, you’ll make sure you do after you have read this post! 

 

1. Manages Weight

The polyphenolic compound found in oolong tea is very effective at controlling the metabolism of fat in the body. Furthermore, it activates certain enzymes, thereby enhancing the functions of fat cells in the body, meaning that a daily consumption of this tea can reduce obesity. 

 

In a study, mice that were given polyphenols in addition to a high-fat and high-sugar diet still showed a decline in overall body weight and fat index.

2. Removes Harmful Free Radicals 

The polyphenolic compound found in oolong tea is also capable of removing free radicals from our body as it functions as an antioxidant. Therefore, consuming daily doses of this tea can help people against the potential harm these free-moving cells often pose to the body, including atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, and stroke. 

 

3. Treats Skin Conditions

According to scientific experiments, patients suffering from eczema can benefit from drinking three cups of oolong tea every day. The beneficial results of this tea can be seen in less than a week and these patients will show remarkable improvement. In a 2001 study, 51% of test subjects were found to show positive, long-lasting results in terms of skin conditions after 6 months of drinking oolong daily. 

 

4. Improves Bone Health 

The antioxidants that are present in oolong tea help to protect teeth against decay, strengthen bone structure, promote healthy growth, and prevent osteoporosis. A number of studies have analyzed the long-term effects of drinking this tea, especially on bone mineral density. They showed that those who consistently drank black or oolong tea for more than a decade were less likely to lose their bone mineral density over that period of time. 

 

It’s also believed that some of the components of this tea actually stimulate the retention of minerals from other foods that we consume.

5. Control diabetes

Oolong tea is used as an herbal brew for treating type-2 diabetic disorders and as an addition to other supplementary drugs for treating the disease. It helps to regulate the amount of blood sugar and insulin in the bloodstream, so the dangerous dips and spikes that can be dangerous for diabetics are reduced. A 2003 study showed that when combined with regular hyperglycemic drugs, oolong tea further balanced the blood sugar levels and prevented sudden decreases in almost all the test subjects. 

 

6. Prevents Cancer 

It’s well-known that tea drinkers have a lower risk of skin cancer. Furthermore, the polyphenolic compound in oolong tea promotes apoptosis in the case of cancerous cell growth in the stomach. This polyphenolic extract also acts as a chemo-preventive instrument against the development of other cancers, too. The compounds stifle the activation of carcinogenic cells, trap genotoxic agents before they can become effective, and prevent the formation of N-nitroso compounds. 

 

7. Manages Stress

In a study conducted at the Osaka Institute for health in Japan, mice that consumed oolong tea showed a remarkable improvement in their stress levels by 10-18%. The natural polyphenols in oolong tea were cited as the reason why. Furthermore, the L-Theanine found in tea leaves is an amino acid that blocks L-glutamic acid to glutamate receptors in the brain. This causes cortical neuron excitement, which leads to increased cognitive activity and neural stress responses. 

 

8. Improves Mental Health 

Health benefits of oolong tea include improved mental performance and alertness. A regular intake of caffeine-rich oolong tea may help to improve mental performance and maintain alertness throughout the day. 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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8 Great Reasons Why You Need to Include Chard In Your Diet

Swiss chard has amazing health benefits - it can regulate blood sugar levels, prevent various types of cancer, improve digestion, boosts the immune system, reduces fever and combats inflammation, among many others. 

 

Swiss chard's many health benefits can be attributed to its impressive list of vitamins, nutrients and organic compounds, which include vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E, riboflavin and vitamin B6. Swiss chard is also packed with minerals, in fact, it includes a wealth of magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, sodium and copper. It is also a good source of dietary fiber. Swiss chard has a significant amount of polyphenolic antioxidants, phytonutrients and enzymes that are unique and highly beneficial to your health. 

7 Health Benefits Of Swiss Chard 

 

1. It helps manage diabetes 

Swiss chard has been found to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. One of the unique flavanoids found in Swiss chard is syringic acid, which inhibits the activity of a specific enzyme named alpha-glucosidase. This means that less carbs are broken down to simple sugars, which allows the blood sugar levels in the body to remain stable and prevent the plunges and peaks, known to be dangerous for diabetic patients, or those who are at a high risk of developing diabetes. 

 

2. It improves bone health 

Swiss chard contains a significant amount of calcium in its leaves, giving it a major boost for bone health. Alongside other minerals found in this vegetable, calcium helps stimulate bone growth and development, including magnesium and vitamin K. 

 

3. It boosts your brain power 

Swiss chard is a great source of both potassium and vitamin K, both of which are found in significant amounts in the brain and are integral parts of boosting cognitive development and abilities. 

 

4. It boosts blood circulation 

Both iron and copper are essential elements of red blood cells. Without these two minerals, people can develop anemia, which includes symptoms like weakness, fatigue, stomach disorders and lack of concentration. Ensuring a proper amount of red blood cells by eating such foods can increase your blood flow and oxygenation of essential organs within the body.

5. It improves blood pressure and heart health 

Swiss chard contains anti-inflammatory and phytonutrient antioxidants, which, along with potassium, all contribute to reducing blood pressure and stress on the cardiovascular system. Some hypertension is due to pro-inflammatory enzymes within the body, which the organic compounds in Swiss chard are able to neutralize. Furthermore, Swiss chard protects those who eat it from a variety of conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. 

 

 6. It promotes eye care  

Swiss chard contains a substantial amount of beta-carotene, which has been linked to optimal eye health and a reduction in macular degeneration, glaucoma, night blindness and other vision-related conditions. 

 

7. It promotes healthy hair  

The organic compound biotin has directly been linked to healthy hair, the stimulation of follicles as well as luster and texture. Swiss chard also has significant amounts of biotin, among its many other beneficial compounds. 

 

8. It can prevent cancer  

As with many leafy, green vegetables, Swiss chard also contains anti-cancer properties due to the large amounts of antioxidants found in it. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are a dangerous byproduct of cellular metabolism, causing healthy cells to become cancerous. It also contains significant amounts of vitamin E, C, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, kaempferol, beta-carotene and quercetin - many of which have been connected to preventing a wide array of cancers, specifically, colon cancer.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Vitamin K: A Full Guide

 Vitamin K is one of the most fascinating vitamins out there, and scientists continue discovering new forms, functions, and benefits of this vitamin to this day. Vitamin K exists in two forms (more on that below), and it plays are crucial role in heart health, wound healing, and even bone health. Read on to learn about the sources, health benefits, and signs of vitamin K deficiency. 

What is vitamin K and why is it important? 

 Vitamin K actually refers to a group of several fat-soluble vitamins that are similar in their chemical structures and effects on the human body. The vitamin was first discovered in the 1920s by complete accident. At the time, experimenters were trying to understand how certain nutrient restrictions influence health in animal models, and the discovery of the vitamin was made upon observing excessive bleeding in the animal models. 

Since then, scientists have discovered many different forms of vitamin K, but the two that are the most common in humans are vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone). Although there is some debate over the distinctions between these two forms of vitamin K, both seem to play a role in blood clotting, bone health, and heart health:

1. Vitamin K is essential for wound healing. 

A significant number of proteins necessary for blood clotting require vitamin K. When we hear “blood clotting,” we’re conditioned to think of strokes and heart disease, but it’s actually a crucial function of the human body that enables wounds to form a scab and heal. Without it, even a minor cut could lead to potentially fatal blood loss.

Most of the studies that investigate blood clotting focused on vitamin K1, but more recent research points that monitoring your vitamin K2 intake is just as important. This is especially true for people who take blood thinner medications, like warfarin, for example, because excessive intake could interfere with your medication. 

 

2. Vitamin K prevents heart disease. 

Even though vitamin K is involved in blood clotting, you do NOT need to stay away from it to prevent heart disease. On the contrary, a diet rich in vitamin K can actually protect your cardiovascular system from plaque and atherosclerosis. Researchers found that vitamin K promotes the synthesis of a protein that prevents calcium deposits in the arteries. 

 

These deposits are known as coronary artery calcification (CAC), and they worsen blood flow in the arteries and increase the risk of plaque formation. In this way, vitamin K may be able to prevent heart disease. The research concerning this topic is relatively new, with the first studies showing that vitamin K2 is better at preventing CAC. But more recent and well-controlled research suggests that both forms of vitamin K play an equal role. 

 

3. Vitamin K promotes bone health.

Keeping our bones strong is a priority at any age, and vitamin K seems to play a crucial role in the cycle of cell turnover that ensures bone strength. People with vitamin K deficiency have a higher incidence of fractures and osteoporosis. A 4-year study in postmenopausal women, a group known to have a higher risk of bone fractures, has shown that women who took a vitamin K supplement were less likely to experience fractures than the placebo group.

Therefore a diet rich in vitamin K can keep your bones healthy and strong. 

 

Deficiencies and best sources of vitamin K 

Vitamin K deficiencies are not common, but they can occur, especially in people with liver disease, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or in those taking blood thinners or who had bariatric surgery. People with a vitamin K deficiency bleed more from cuts or scratches and may be more prone to fractures, although other health conditions can also manifest themselves through these symptoms. 

 

The recommended daily intake of vitamin K is 90 mcg for adult women and 120 mcg for adult men. This recommendation is based only on vitamin K1. There is no recommendation on how much vitamin K2 you should consume daily, but we know that the human body can produce this vitamin on its own and there’s plenty of it in meat and poultry. Vitamin K sources table

 

 

Vitamin K1 is present in many green plant foods, particularly leafy greens like spinach and kale. The table above shows the top 5 sources of vitamin K. Apart from the foods listed in the table, such fruit as kiwi, blueberries, grapes, and blackberries, as well as vegetables like avocados, asparagus, and green beans contain plenty of the vitamin. It’s important to combine foods rich in vitamin K with something fatty, such as olive oil, nuts, butter, milk, or eggs. Since vitamin K is fat-soluble, it’s more difficult for the body to absorb it. So, combining it with fats will help your body absorb vitamin K better.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com     is my latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.