COFFEE & TEA

The Tea Culture of China

2011-12-21T07:29:00.000+07:00

Have you ever wondered why so much attention is paid to tea ceremonies in the East? If you have ever traveled to either China or Japan, then you have no doubt encountered the cultural phenomena of tea drinking. China is the origin for the tea drinking cultures of most of East Asia. It is one of the oldest and longest lasting practices which most of these cultures have in common. When one examines the historical evidence intelligently, it is not hard to discover that the consumption of tea got started in China. Tea itself is a native to southern China. In order to appreciate the ways in which tea drinking can turn your Asian home or office into a beautiful place, it is necessary to explore the unique practice carefully. Tea drinking may have gotten its start in China but is was in no way limited to that region. Tea has been a vital part of the experience of many Asian cultures since then.

In Tang times (618-906 CE) tea became a national drink with an established custom in Buddhist monasteries. The idea was to prevent drowsiness in the monks during their times of lengthy meditation. In terms of archeology, tea has been found buried in several tombs with the dead. It was considered a "good" of the Han dynasty (206-220 CE) in the afterlife. There is also strong evidence which suggests that tea drinking began in China even before the time of Christ.

It was during the Three Kingdoms period (220-265 CE) Zhang Yi detailed in his book the specifics of tea production. The description was mostly related to the way tea was produced in both Sichuan and Hubei provinces. This included the processing of tea leaves into tea cakes. The poet Lu Tung (795-835 CE) wrote the Song of Tea. The song proclaimed the superior benefit of tea drinking. It was also about this same time Lu Yu (760-800 CE), the greatest authority on tea, wrote "Chajin" (The Classic of Tea). Ever since its debut, this writing has consistently remained the single most authoritative manual for tea consumers. It likewise describes the tools required to harvest leaves and process tea. In addition, the utensils to brew tea and a list of tea producing areas along with their respective gradings are included.

So how did China influence other Asian cultures to adopt tea drinking? Japanese monks Kubai (774-835 CE) and Saicho (767-822 CE) took a journey to China in 804. Their assumed goal was to study Chan or "Zen" Buddhism. This would take place in Tianmushan, Zhejiang province. However, this specific locality was very popular for tea production as well. Therefore, when the monks returned to Japan not too long after their visit they began tea plantation in their homeland. They brought necessary tea seeds with them back from China to do this. Naturally, this was in addition to introducing the Japanese people to Zen Buddhism.

During the early Heian period (794-1185 CE), Japanese literati adopted the custom of tea drinking from Tang China. The Japanese started to drink tea during social gatherings. Often, these social gatherings were accompanied by activities enjoyed by the educated and cultured members of society. These activities usually included such things as composing, reciting poetry, and playing music. It is easy to understand how tea drinking would thrive in this kind of social atmosphere. To make the point clear, it is obvious that China's tea drinking and production of tea leaves gained influence in much of East Asia a very long time ago. It is almost like a social glue which permeates the entire region today. In the contemporary Asian home or office tea, along with its needed utensils, makes a very pragmatic and friendly contribution to the decor!

Harlan Urwiler is the CEO of HRU Enterprises, Inc. He is an expert author on the subjects of Asian history, culture, folklore, and collectibles. You should feel invited to visit the company's excellent website at: http://www.myorientalgallery.com. Our Support Team is anxious to answer any quesitons you may have about our dynamic business or authentic products. Big savings are yours today with your order. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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How Tea Can Help You Lose Weight

2011-09-09T05:46:00.000+07:00

There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.Tea contains an assortment of chemicals which have positive effects on the human body. Among these chemicals, one is the subject of further scientific scrutiny - a group of chemicals called polyphenols. These are the chemicals responsible for the therapeutic and medicinal effects of tea - and ultimately the weight-loss benefits one can get from it. The following sums up the weight-loss benefits one can get from tea:

Fat burner. The polyphenols in tea improve the function of enzymes in the body. When the enzymes responsible for dissolving fat are activated, fatty acids (triglycerides) are then melted. As fast is burned through this process we observe an improvement in weight loss.

Increase metabolic rate. Tea increases the metabolic rate by which our body converts the food we eat into energy and which in turn is burned off as calories. Tea has the property to increase metabolic rate which means the increase in metabolism burns off more calories which subsequently increases weight loss.

Reduce cholesterol. An increase in bad cholesterol means that there are a lot of fatty deposits in the blood. These fatty deposits are also found in the body tissues as saturated fats and causes obesity. Tea has the property to help reduce the bad cholesterol, reduce fat deposits and subsequently promotes weight loss.

Block fat absorption. Tea has natural properties or minerals that supports our digestive enzymes and blocks the absorption of fat substances in our blood. A cup of tea is equal to a fast 15-minute walk or a 10-minute walk up and down the stairs. If you talk a cup a of tea 3 to 4 times a day then it would be like walking for an hour a day and subsequently will assist you in losing weight.

Decrease glucose level. Tea has the property of decreasing glucose levels. Glucose level is the amount of sugar in the blood. Excessive sugar converts to fat deposits thus if the glucose level is decreased, fat deposits consequently decrease and subsequently adds up to weight loss.

Tea has been advertised so many times as the answer to obesity and lots of tests and studies have been conducted to find out how effectively tea can help in weight loss. Some studies showed that a cup of tea taken 3 to 4 times daily can significantly reduce body fats. In the Xintian region in China it was observed that even if the residents' diet on high fat dishes of beef, cheese and mutton (lamb) they remain slim and do not gain weight at all despite their diet. It was attributed to their high consumption of a local tea which activates the decomposition function of enzymes and at the same time slows done fat buildup in the abdominal area. There were also studies which showed that tea has the property to lower blood lipids that contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular and blood diseases and assists in slimming. In fact, Oolong Tea is popularly known in Japan as the "Slimming Tea" and the "Looks Tea" because of its properties that burns body fat and supports the digestive enzymes in fat oxidation.

Truly, tea has its various health benefits but there is much to learn on this wonder plant. Although researches have began to form the conclusion that tea helps in keeping us healthy, in addition, tea when taken at least 5 times a day together with a low fat diet will actually help in your fight against obesity and promote weight loss.

Not sure if tea really helps? Next time you feel really full, have a cup of tea! By the end of your cup, you'll realize that you're less full. If that isn't proof that you can lose weight with tea, check out Lose Weight With Tea today!

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Dallas, Fort Worth - The Next Coffee Mecca?

2011-07-06T22:35:00.000+07:00

Three years ago, had someone said Dallas would be the next big thing in Texas coffee, they would have most certainly been looked at with a raised eyebrow. When you think Texas coffee, Austin, Houston and San Antonio most naturally come to mind.

With it's "hippie clad" culture and numerous powerhouse coffee companies, such as: Cuvee Coffee (home of widely respected industry leader Mike McKim and South Central Regional Barista Champion, Clancy Rose), Caffé Medici (home of another Barista Champion, Lorenzo Perkins), Houndstooth, Once Over, and Thunderbird; Austin, for the most, part has a monopoly on the Texas coffee scene. Following closely in trail is either San Antonio, with Local Coffee and Brown Coffee Co. or Houston with Catalina Coffee and Greenway Coffee & Tea. Even College Station - not from the coffee shop perspective, but from the Global Coffee Quality Research Initiative hosted in the Norman Borlaug Institute at Texas A&M University. (Texas A&M has made it known that they want to be to coffee, what UC Davis is to wine!)

So, Dallas? Really?

There may be a Starbucks on every corner of the Dallas, Fort Worth Metroplex, but DFW is quietly turning into a breeding ground for small artisanal shops and roasters eager to make their mark on the regional culture. There is most definitely a buzz brewing in this market. A number of quality coffee companies, and talented baristas have been rapidly appearing over the past several years and the momentum seems to keep on building. Are we on the verge of a formidable new Texas coffee culture? It is beginning to look like it!

Coffee has been a hot topic in all sorts of local Dallas media lately. D Magazine, Yelp, You Plus Media, Daily Candy, The Dallas Observer, Dallas Morning News and numerous local news networks have all been ramping up their coverage of the emerging Dallas, Fort Worth coffee culture. Companies like Oddfellows, Stir Coffee, Coffee Lab and my own Texas Coffee School are just several of the businesses the cities' medias are buzzing over. Why so much coverage all of a sudden? Put into simple terms - the idea of "Third Wave Coffee" has finally hit the Dallas, Fort Worth Metroplex.

What is Third Wave? According to definition and numerous industry veterans "The Third Wave of Coffee is the genesis and establishment of coffee growers, coffee roasters and coffee retailers that are focused on achieving the highest form of culinary appreciation of coffee." Trish Rothgeb of Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters first wrote about the Third Wave in a November 2002 article of The Flamekeeper, a newsletter of the Roaster's Guild, a trade guild of the SCAA. Nicholas Cho (@NickCho) of Murky Coffee further defined the Third Wave in his often-referenced online article " The BGA and the Third Wave ". More recently the Third Wave has been chronicled by publications such as the New York Times, LA Weekly, Los Angeles Times, LA Opinion and The Guardian.

Third Wave Coffee is on the upswing in Dallas. It's not in effect in majority, by any means. It's nowhere near Seattle, Chicago, New York, North Carolina or even Austin for that matter - but, the Third Wave is quietly and quickly catching on with shop owners and small batch coffee roasters alike. More importantly, it's catching on with the public!

It's for this reason that I opened Texas Coffee School in the Dallas Metroplex. The Third Wave is still in it's infancy in this market and it gives us a colossal opportunity to help shape the emerging culture through quality oriented coffee business workshops, and barista training. The timing is right from all angles. There is a demand, and the companies out there providing Third Wave Coffee AND the experience are being handsomely rewarded! I look forward to being apart of this emerging culture and I look forward to sharing my experiences!

To find more from Tom Vincent or to learn more about Texas Coffee School coffee business workshops, barista training classes, professional and consumer coffee education, or coffee shop consulting check out - http://www.texascoffeeschool.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@TXCoffeeSchool). Our training centers are located in the Dallas, and Austin, Texas areas.

(Texas Coffee School was formerly known as "Texas Coffee College".)

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An Overview of Green Tea - Potential Health Benefits of Tea Beverages

2011-07-01T22:34:00.000+07:00

Green tea is one of the main varieties of tea and comes from an infusion made with unfermented leaves of a Camellia sinesis plant. It is one of the most popular kinds of tea and is an important part of culture in countries like China, Thailand, Japan and India.

This type of tea is said to contain the most amount of polyphenols, a type of powerful antioxidant. The polyphenol aggressively hunts down free radicals that damage cellular DNA, which may even lead to cell death. Since free radicals are the main cause of premature aging, heart disease and cancer, drinking green tea may help in preventing the onset of these conditions and delay the prognosis of the disease for people who are already afflicted with them.

Aside from polyphenols, green tea also contains different kinds of alkaloids like theophylline, theobromine and caffeine. These alkaloids are responsible for the tea's stimulant properties. Ironically, the tea also contains amino acid compounds and L-theanine, which are known for their calming effects.

Traditional Indian and Chinese medicine practitioners use green leaf tea to help heal wounds faster and control bleeding. It is also used as a diuretic and effective stimulant. Due to its warmth and natural properties, it can improve a person's concentration, regulate blood sugar and body temperature, lead to loss in weight and promote good digestion and treat flatulence.

Recent clinical studies have found that green tea boosts a person's metabolism and may aid in weight loss. It can also help treat tooth decay and reduce inflammation in different parts of the body.

My name is Darren and I write for the Coffee & Tea website. I recommend that you visit the site for an indepth write up of green tea weight loss at the following page: http://www.coffee-tea.co.uk/obesity.php

Comparison of Tea Vs Coffee - Caffeine, Acidity, and Health Benefits

2011-05-05T12:42:00.000+07:00

Tea and coffee are the main two natural caffeinated beverages consumed in most of the world, and they are often presented side-by-side, as alternate options. This article provides a comparison of tea and coffee in several major categories: caffeine, acidity, health benefits, and other reasons for preferring either tea or coffee to the other.

Caffeine Content of Tea vs Coffee:

Compared to tea, coffee contains much more caffeine: often as much as 2-3 times the amount. Compounding the comparison, however, tea is more widely variable than coffee in terms of how much caffeine is in a typical cup. Coffee tends to contain about 80 to 135 milligrams in a typical 8 ounce cup, whereas tea typically contains between 15 and 75 milligrams per cup. Both coffee and tea will be higher in caffeine if they are brewed more strongly (i.e. longer steeping times, or using more grounds / leaf per unit water). Keep in mind that many people, especially in the United States, drink a lot more than 8 ounces when they have a single serving of tea or coffee.

Too much caffeine is known to cause a variety of health problems, and can contribute to anxiety and insomnia. The Mayo Clinic currently claims, based on their survey of medical research, that 200-300mg of caffeine per day is safe, but 500-600mg daily can cause health problems. For pregnant women, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' official stance is that 200mg daily of caffeine or less is completely safe.

A Comparison of Acidity & Effects on the Digestive System:

Both tea and coffee are acidic, and different teas and coffees vary somewhat in their acidity, both based on the variety used, and the strength with which it is brewed. Brewing tea or coffee stronger will result in a more acidic cup. However, as a general rule, coffee tends to be much more acidic than tea.

Because of its greater acidity, coffee tends to be rougher on the stomach and digestive system than tea. Different people vary in their sensitivity to the acidity in coffee, and many people consume large quantities of coffee without any complaints. However, people who have a problem with acid reflux, indigestion, or other problems in the digestive tract may wish to experiment with switching from coffee to tea to see if their symptoms are reduced or eliminated.

Health Benefits of Tea vs Coffee:

Tea and coffee are both known to have a number of health benefits. Although tea is widely perceived as a more healthy beverage, there is also some evidence of coffee having a variety of health benefits as well. Also, although there is solid evidence backing up some of the benefits of tea for health, the health benefits of tea are often overstated or exaggerated. There are not a great deal of studies comparing tea to coffee in terms of their effects on health, but those studies that exist have mostly pointed to tea as the healthier drink, mainly because of its more moderate caffeine content.

Other Reasons to Drink Tea vs. Coffee:

Health is only one of the factors to consider when choosing whether to drink tea or coffee. Cost, taste, and variety are additional considerations. Tea, even high-quality tea, tends to be somewhat cheaper per cup than coffee. And although many people prefer the unique and powerful flavor and aroma of coffee, tea tends to have more variety, owing in part to the existence of different types of tea such as green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong, and Pu-erh. Lastly, convenience is often a factor in more practical settings: if given the choice between high-quality coffee and low-quality tea, as is often the case in many parts of the U.S., many people will choose coffee even if they might prefer drinking tea at home.

Alex Zorach is the creator of RateTea.net, an interactive website where anyone can rate and review teas. This site has a database of teas classified by brand, style, and region, with a wealth of information about different varieties of tea, tea-growing regions, and tea companies. If you want to read more about the comparison of coffee to tea, or if you are a coffee drinker considering making the switch to tea, you might want to start at RateTea's page on switching from coffee to tea.

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Organo Gold Coffee: Is It Worth A Second Look?

2011-04-25T21:26:00.000+07:00

Understanding the basics of Organo Gold coffee.

The first thing you you need to understand is what this company is all about. Let's take a look at what this opportunity is from a mission statement and see what kind of culture they bring to the network marketing industry.

Coffee stands out as the subsequent most ingested drink in the world following water. It's the next most exchanged product right after oil. Individuals consume coffee all day long, every single day within nearly every nation around the globe.

However here's an extremely potent question. When was the last instance you had been compensated each and every time somebody experienced a cup of coffee? This is Organo Gold. From the soil to your cup. They are an organization that's trying to boost people's well being, prosperity and provide much more stability to their lifestyles due to the overpowering power of Ganoderma - an old Chinese herb which has been utilized for over 4,000 years to improve overall health.

By infusing premium coffee as well as an ever growing product line with all the energy from the Ganoderma Lucidum herb, Organo Gold has clinically created a wholesome substitute for typical coffee that not only tastes fantastic, but can make people today feel happy. And that's where you squeeze in.

Organo Gold coffee is on a quest, distributing the information of Ganoderma to the four corners around the globe and also joining up with hundreds of thousands of individuals on the way. Utilizing the economical network syndication procedure to supply all these Ganoderma items, a greater portion of each and every dollar is distributed to their expanding Organo Gold coffee family world-wide.

What's so great about Organo Gold coffee?

In Cantonese, "Lingzhi or Reishi", is the term for one particular kind of this mushroom Ganoderma Lucidum. It has an honourable position within Asia, the place it is often applied as the therapeutic mushroom within chinese medicine for longer than 4,000 years. Throughout China it's referred to as "Miraculous King of Herbs". The clinical title "Ganoderma" comes from the Ancient Greek Language "bright shiny skin". The word "Lingzhi", when it comes to Chinese language, means "herb of spiritual potency" and it has recently been called "mushroom of immortality".

As a result of modern day research and innovative technological innovation, Organo Gold together with their tactical associates have formulated 100 % Qualified Organic Ganoderma Lucidum Supplements, Ganoderma Spore Powder, Ganoderma Mycellium Healthful Beverages, Nutrecuticals as well as Skin Care. And there's much more ahead. Organo Gold is without a doubt committed to making the most of the potential for Ganoderma with analysis, improvement as well as an ever broadening collection of clinically formulated Ganoderma based items.

The refinement plant for their Ganoderma dependent goods is made with GMP specifications which are classified as the highest possible on the planet. The distinctive development is definitely the "Advanced Micro-Particle Technology" that's ascribed to the spore cell wall-breaking technological procedure. Right here is the basis which assures Organo Gold to be the world innovator in 100% Qualified Ganoderma Lucidum.

Generating wealth in Organo Gold coffee.

The company breaks the opportunity down into five reasons why people should join up n the business. They are as follows:

* Market trends
* Timing
* Products
* Company
* Leverage

Clearly they bring up valid points regarding this basic outline of doing business with them. Coffee is certainly a popular beverage and you can make a lot of money promoting a product like this. The question, however, is how do you actually market Organo Gold coffee? Are you going to promote this opportunity through friends and family or are you looking to generate an unlimited amount of prospects for your business. Majority of network marketers would choose the latter.

In order to promote an opportunity like Organo Gold coffee, you have to learn how to market. These days there just seems to be a shortage of people doing everything they can to learn how to be a master marketer. Start taking the time now to learn how you can start making money in an awesome business like this today.

There's a lot more to know about Organo Gold. To find out how to become a top earner in this company, grab free training for Organo Gold Coffee now.

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Coffee and Tea: Health Benefits and Health Problems

2011-02-17T21:43:00.000+07:00

There is always the choice between coffee and tea. In some countries, such as Italy the choice of offer is not given there is the assumption you want coffee and a range of coffee collations offered from flat white half strength to black and strong. However in most Anglicized countries the choice between coffee and tea is always available and so the individual can get just what they want.

My first experience with coffee was in college days. It was a night session of cramming before a vital exam and the coffee kept coming and we kept working. However by the early hours of the next morning crashing noises startled me and I looked around to locate where the sound was from. To my astonishment it was the sound of the curtains gently moving in the breeze of an open window. Up to this time I had hardly drunk a cup of coffee in my life and I was on a small trip.

My life long love of coffee had begun with a crash but matured into a great friendship. The wake me up first thing in the morning " the heart starter". And during the day it's the energy giver. More than that I have always found it lifts the concentration when you are at a difficult task.

Added to the personal energy gains there have also been so many serious studies on the health benefits of coffee. A study in Finland from 1500 Finns concluded that 4-5 cups a day can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by 65%.. And a study with Japanese women over 12 years claimed that the coffee intake halved the risk of colon cancer. Other serious claims from university studies suggest a 60% reduction in the risk of diabetes. Other claims still speak of reduced heart attacks and liver cirrhosis. The list goes on to claim cancer risk reduction and even reduction to risk of Parkinson's disease.

Well such studies that coffee is the miracle drink may be held in doubt however there is enough evidence to demonstrate that coffee drinking has many benefits.

On the debit side there a connection between heavy coffee drinking with anxiety and irritability and insomnia. Other studies have shown a relationship between bad cholesterol and high blood pressure in the 5 cup a day coffee drinker and coffee is also blamed for gastric upsets, ulcers and irritation in the bowel.

So which do you choose between coffee and tea? Is tea a more modified drink with fewer claimed benefits and fewer suspected health problems?

Green tea drinkers claim that it is so full of antioxidants that it reduces plaque in the arteries that can lead to stroke or heart attack and there is good research to support this. There are even further claims that it reduces arthritic swelling and even acne. However its most important claim is it gives a huge boost to the immune system which prevents many diseases. As for the negatives with tea and specifically green tea it has been found like coffee to cause insomnia and increase hypertension and anxiety. It is also linked with the fairly common heart problem called "tachycardia" which is when the heart races uncontrollably and can cause a heart attack if not treated

There is another interesting health problem claim with tea drinking and that is to do with the absorption of iron. Which may be restricted when the tea is connected with other certain foods. However overall the health claims and health problem claims are milder that compared with coffee. So between tea and coffee it's really a question of moderate use of either and the benefits to the moderate user will far outweigh any health issues that both coffee and tea might cause.

For more about coffee drinks http://www.bestcoffeemachinemakers.com/mocha-coffee-drink-recipe/ You can also explore moccha coffee recipes and coffee machines

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Green Tea Extracts Plus Vitamin D May Boost Bone Health

2011-01-22T06:09:00.001+07:00

Not too long ago, bone loss was thought to be an inevitable part of aging. Today, we know that although bone loss is a common occurrence in the elderly, making timely changes to diet and lifestyles can minimize the risk of bone loss during the aging process. Extensive research on herbs and nutrients has also introduced to us an endless array of possibilities for manufacturing a wider range of innovative nutritional supplement options for those who want to improve bone health.

The market for bone health supplements is broad and shows great potential for further growth. Both men and women suffer from bone loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by the year 2020, 50 percent of Americans aged 50 and above will suffer from bone loss and will be at risk for fractures. The CDC has also bracketed people who may have a higher risk of suffering from bone loss, and therefore may considered the likely target market for bone health supplements:

* Girls aged 9 to 12
* Post-menopausal women
* Older adults
* Those whose diets are low in calcium

Research Shows Green Tea and Vitamin D May Boost Bone Health

A combination of green tea polyphenols and Vitamin D in the form of 1-alpha-OH-vitamin D3 (alfacalcidol) is believed to have protective effects on bone microstructure and strength. In a study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry (October 2010), scientists in Texas conducted an experiment on rats that were administered lipopolysaccharides to induce chronic inflammation. The rats were then administered a combination of green tea polyphenols and alfaclcidol. The study showed that this combination was able to reverse detrimental changes to the bone caused by chronic inflammation. Scientists concluded that green tea polyphenols and alfacalcidol may help to strengthen bone structure and improve bone health.

In an earlier study, the same research team had found epidemiological evidence showing a link between green tea consumption and prevention of age-related bone loss in elderly men and women. The study published in The Nutrition Research (July 2009) showed a correlation between green tea and bone metabolism. Scientists believe that the bioactive components found in green tea may be beneficial in improving bone mineral density, supporting osteoblastic activities and suppressing osteoclastic activities, thereby decreasing the risk of fractures in the elderly.

In addition to supporting bone health, both green tea and Vitamin D3 independently, are known for their numerous health benefits.
* Both green tea and Vitamin D play a role in boosting immune health. Each shows benefits for protecting heart and skin health.
* Green tea is famous for its powerful antioxidants called epigallocatecchin gallate, commonly called EGCG. EGCG helps to support cellular health and exhibits anti-vital and anti-bacterial properties. Because of its thermogenic properties, green tea extracts are popularly used in weight loss supplements.
* Ongoing research on Vitamin D shows that its health benefits go well beyond the scope of bone health. A deficiency in Vitamin D has been linked to several chronic ailments including depression, type II diabetes, chronic weakness and blood pressure.

Nutricap Labs, a leading vitamin manufacturer, can help you customize your own unique bone health formula using a combination of green tea and Vitamin D. The delivery form can be capsules, tablets or powders. Having nearly a decade of experience as a GMP-certified supplement manufacturer, Nutricap Labs offers you a full range of customizable service options to choose from that are easy on your budget and guarantee the highest level of quality supplements and service. Submit a request for a free vitamin manufacturing quote. Their quote turnaround times are the fastest in the industry. Submit your request today and expect a response within 24 to 48 hours!

Nutricap Labs is a full service vitamin manufacturer. We primarily manufacture nutritional tablets, capsules, powders, liquids and creams, but we also offer label and packaging design services and order fulfillment services to our customers.

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Tea Vs Coffee - Which Side Are You On?

2010-09-05T17:23:00.000+07:00

Apart from water, tea and coffee are among the world's most popular beverages. As for which beverage do people drink the most? That topic always calls for a long discussion. Several surveys suggest that tea is the world's number one hot beverage. Would coffee drinkers agree?

No chance of tossing a coin on that.

Let us get to know these two beverages that often go neck to neck in the race between the most wanted drink in the world. And at the end of your reading, you may hopefully decide which one suits your palate better.

Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted seeds otherwise known as coffee beans. The seeds are the product of a small evergreen bush plant called Coffea. It is believed to have originated from Ethiopia and had spread to the Middle East and Europe.

Many of us crave for coffee in the morning. And if we don't get to start our day with a freshly-brewed cup of hot steaming coffee, the day may become bitter. Coffee is known to contain caffeine which is not completely bad unless taken in excessive amount. It has antioxidants, essential to fight the process of aging. Caffeine found in coffee may help lessen the risk of Parkinson's disease by enhancing the dopamine supply in the body. It is a neurotransmitter that is essential in the functions of the brain. Caffeine also acts as a stimulant. People who need to stay up late often drink coffee to keep them awake.

Tea, on the other hand, is generally grown in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It is an exquisite beverage made from the processed leaf of a plant called Camelia Sinensis. The preparation of tea is done in various methods such as brewing or it can come in the form of a tea bag that can simply be soaked in hot water.

Studies suggest that tea has many health benefits and one that is most popular is the amount of antioxidant present in tea. It helps fight cancer as well as the natural aging process. Some tea contains Vitamin C that helps fight and prevent illnesses such as colds. Tea also contains polyphones that help in the strengthening of teeth and lessening plaque. It also aids in the process of digestion by boosting the flow of juices in the stomach.

The most obvious difference in coffee and tea is their taste. Other differences are their flavor, manner of preparation and recipes.

The similarity that coffee and tea share is that both contain caffeine. However, the amount varies considerably based in the single serving of these beverages. Both plants grown into huge trees but kept trimmed just like the height of a fern.

Tea vs. coffee-which side are you on? Oh well, it's a pretty hard decision to make. Both are very different beverages, each with a distinctive history. Whether you prefer tea or coffee, it only boils down to one thing: It's hard not to love either one.

Buy the finest herbal teas at TrentonTeas. Ann Trenton recommends Trenton Teas for teas of distinction. You can find our Traditional Tea Blends along with teaware and accessories.

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Coffee and Colon Cancer - Is There a Connection?

2010-07-17T17:20:00.000+07:00

There has been considerable medical research done through the years in an attempt to determine if drinking a lot of coffee and colon cancer are connected.

It seems the question may have been answered - at least for the time being.

The results of some recent research reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute concludes that people who drink coffee daily - even four or more cups - are at no more risk of developing colon cancer than other people who do not drink coffee at all.

Dr. Xuehong Zhang and his team of researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health examined about a dozen studies from North America and Europe.

Research done in the past has produced varying results about whether coffee and tea raise the risk of colon cancer. Sugary sodas, meanwhile, are definitely linked to obesity and other disorders that are thought to boost the odds colon cancer in particular.

Obesity has also recently been identified as the number one cause of liver disease in both the United States and Canada. Up till recently, cirrhosis owned the top spot.

Those who researched the issue of coffee and tea consumption at the Harvard School of Public Health also concluded that there's no more risk of developing colon cancer among those who drink sweetened beverages daily. They did, however, find a small increase in the possibility of colon cancer among those who consumed a lot of tea -- 32 oz or more a day. This conclusion, however, is weak and is worthy of further research, they said.

Researchers investigated results from more than 730,000 test subjects scattered around the entire planet, during a time frame that covered between 6 and 20 years. 5,600 people eventually got colon cancer. The researchers said the findings weren't influenced much by factors such as gender, smoking and amount of alcohol consumption.

Given the enormous number of subjects included in the population studies, subjects' beverage choices and volumes varied greatly. There weren't a lot of adult subjects who drank more than two sweetened beverages a day, which led some on the editorial staff of the Journal to believe that this study won't be the last word on cancer risk and any connection to sweetened beverages.

But for coffee and tea drinkers, at least, the results of in this investigation will certainly be received as welcome news.

So have a java - in fact, have all you want.

For more information on topics related to this article, click on Colon Cancer.

George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He is a frequent contributor to Colon Health Information, a resource site about colon health and wellness.

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Green Tea, the Best Medicine For Your Health

2010-03-24T21:33:00.000+07:00

Green tea is used to treat many diseases from headaches to depression. It is actually the most well-liked type of tea from China where most people believe the tea plant originated all over Asia. It is actually formed from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis by several unique procedures. There are many benefits that you can find through this healthy drink.

It is really useful to heal and prevent diseases like impaired immune functions, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, and infections. If you have any problems with cholesterol, it is good medicine for you. It is useful to make your body more relaxed and energetic.

For further information, green tea is the best food source of a group called catechins. Actually catechins are greater than vitamins E and C in halting oxidative break to cells and come out to have other disease-fighting material goods.

There are many benefits that you can obtain from drinking this healthy drink. It is useful to care for multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and impaired immune function. People who have problem with cancer can drink green tea for prevention and treatment of cancer.

It is also good for people who have weight problem. It can raise their metabolism and increase fat oxidation. Your weight become lessens. Beside that, it reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks by reducing the risk of thromboses.

It is also useful to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer and it can slow down the increase of cancer cells. Moreover drinking green tea frequently will reduce the stage of cholesterol in blood and improve the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol. As a matter of fact, some studies show that, drinking green tea repeatedly may help stop tooth decay by combating the bacteria that affect the dental plaque.

There is guide and procedure to consume green tea so you must be careful to drink it and see precaution. If you are pregnant, you may not consume it before discussing it to your doctor. You also may not drink green tea when you are breast-feeding a baby. It will result bad effect to your baby.

As a point of fact, green tea is useful to prevent tooth decay. It has bacteria-destroying ability to prevent food poisoning. Furthermore, it can also destroy the bacteria which cause dental plaque. It is great herbal that will you're your life healthier and make your skin more beautiful.

Many cosmetics offered in the market use green tea as their special agent to beautify skin. You can use it to improve your health and beauty. As a matter of fact, green tea is natural so it is not dangerous for your health.

Of course beside good effects, it also has bad side. You can get insomnia because it has caffeine though it has less caffeine than coffee. In the process of green tea production, its leaves are steamed and it is useful to prevent the epigallocatechil gallate from becoming oxidized different from the oolong tea and the black tea leaves. Therefore it prevents and fights illnesses and diseases more effective than the oolong tea and the black tea leaves.

Ethan D Dodson likes to write many articles about health. Beside that, he has special interest to write about aquatic exercise equipment. If you want to get more information about it, visit his website over on aquatic exercise equipment that will help you find the best Icarian fitness equipment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ethan_D_Dodson

Surprising Coffee Health Benefits For Women

2010-02-28T21:52:00.000+07:00

Coffee and tea drinkers rejoice - there are coffee health benefits to be had.

Some new research confirms your wise choice of beverage!

It seems that women who drink a few cups of tea or coffee every day might have a lower risk of endometrial cancer, the most common cancer of a woman's reproductive organs.

According to American Cancer Society estimates for 2008, just over 40,000 women in the U.S. would be diagnosed with this form of cancer; about 7,400 will have died from it. Some of the risk factors for this type of cancer are well known.

Older age, obesity and anything that exposes women to more estrogen, like early periods, infertility, late menopause and estrogen therapy afterward are all considered risk factors.If you're concerned for yourself or another woman in your life, talk to your doctor about what you can do.

You may have heard that diet may also play a role, but the effect is far less clear than the other risks. This study sought answers to the role popular drinks might play in cancer risk.

The hospital based, case controlled research involved a survey of nearly 1,100 women; 541 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer, 541 controls who had a uterus and were seen at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York for evaluation but were not diagnosed with a malignancy.

Data was collected between 1982 and 1998 using a very detailed questionnaire that was offered to all patients who were seen at the facility for cancer. About half the patients given the survey returned the completed questionnaire.

Those who drank regular coffee or black tea appeared to have a lower risk of uterine cancer than women who were nondrinkers. Subjects who drank 4 cups of coffee or tea/day were only half as likely as those who didn't drink these beverages to have endometrial cancer.

Women who drank tea only (over 2 cups/day) had a 44% lower risk of disease. The lower risk was there for women who just drank coffee (over 2 cups/day), at just 29%, though this figure was not considered statistically significant in terms of research.

The researchers are quick to point out that part of the benefit they saw for drinking coffee or tea might be affected by body mass index. The reduction in risk of endometrial cancer, even in tea drinkers, was limited for those women who weighed more.

No one is certain why regular coffee and black tea might have this effect on cancer, but lead researcher Dr. Susan E. McCann of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute suspects caffeine.

Subjects included decaffeinated coffee as one of the drinks they enjoyed, but when the looked at decaffeinated coffee, there wasn't a link between the drink and the risk of endometrial cancer.

Lab work has shown that caffeine induces some enzymes that help to neutralize potential cancer causing substances.

If it isn't the caffeine, there are some other helpful compounds that might be at work. Coffee and tea have antioxidants, flavonoids, catechins and isoflavones that could also be helping to protect the body from cancer.

Now that there's been a large, carefully controlled study, adding to an existing body of work that shows a relationship between regular coffee and black tea consumption and endometrial cancers, you might want to choose these beverages more often.

Your choice of drink is of course not a guarantee of protection despite the coffee health benefits and should never take the place of regular medical care, a healthy diet and other careful lifestyle choices.

Next just head on over to the Daily Health Bulletin for more information on coffee health benefits and other nutritional information, plus get 5 free fantastic health reports.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirsten_Whittaker

Enjoy Coffee, Tea, Or Water in Different Flavors

2010-02-07T00:31:00.000+07:00

You want to drink more water but hate the taste. Water can become tastier with the help of There are various ways to flavor your water. There are three ways to make flavored water.

• Home made
• Adding few drops of your favorite flavor in the water
• Buying branded flavored water from departmental or retail store.
Steps to make flavored water at home
• Fill a bottle with water
• Chop the fruit. Some suggestions are Cucumber & Lemon slices, Orange & Cucumber slices, frozen grapes, frozen berries. Mint leaves can be added in any of these combos.
• Add the fruit to the bottle. Let the fruit sit in the water at least 20 minutes before drinking to allow flavoring to release.

This process is very tedious. It takes lot of time which people do not have. Both women and men are working so they find it difficult to make flavored water at home. Another way is buying branded flavored water from a departmental or retail store. Many people can not buy branded flavored water everyday. It is quite expensive which cannot be afforded by many people.

The last way is to add a few drops of your favorite flavor in the water. This is least expensive. Just buy flavored drops from the market and make fresh flavored water whenever you wish within a few minutes. Pick up your favorite drop from the market and enjoy the drink. You can also add two flavors in your water and enjoy it. Flavored drops can be used for Diet & Fitness purpose. Flavored drops are free from fats, calories or sweeteners. Some of the famous flavored drops are Amaretto, Blueberry, Hot Cinnamon, Orange Graham Cracker, Vanilla Custard, Peanut butter etc.

Flavor drops are used in baking and dessert recipe. You have to just add a few drops of the flavor in the recipe. These drops are the perfect companion for Coffee & Tea lovers. Amaretto flavored coffee is a confection used in baking which contains powered sugar and ground almonds and apricots. Blueberry flavored coffee is very fruity, light, medium body that lives up to its name. If you want to try a fruity or different coffee then this is for you. Blueberry taste is very pleasing to the pallet.

French vanilla coffee is one of the most popular flavored coffees in the world, second only to the reigning queen of flavored coffees which is the hazelnut. French vanilla is a tried and tested flavor that is ranked as one of the best in the world. You can enjoy this coffee everyday. The wonderful smell of coffee will not be lost in the subtle vanilla overtones. Do not lose your inner creativity, try different flavorings and toppings. Consumers can try different flavors for their coffee, tea or water.

The author is expert for flavored tea. She has written articles like flavored coffee, vanilla flavor. For information visit our site gourmet flavored coffee.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samehtas_S_Capellas

Is Coffee Or Tea Better For You?

2010-01-15T23:15:00.000+07:00

Recently, many Americans have started drinking tea because of its wealth of health benefits. However, if you are a coffee lover, then do not despair! Recent studies have proven that coffee is full of healthy compounds and antioxidants to prevent disease and reduce premature aging. What wonderful news!

America has always been a country devoted to coffee, and it started out as an obsession with plain black coffee, perhaps with cream and sugar. Nowadays, you can walk to any city corner in the United States to find one or even two Starbucks coffee shops as part of the growing commercial coffee industry. This was something that became popularized in Seattle, and gourmet coffee drinks have become a staple in the US today. Coffee itself is actually a largely growing industry, and it is the second largest exported commodity worldwide, next to oil.

Coffee's reputation took a little bit of a hit several years ago when studies claimed that coffee was bad for you. However, what those studies also did not reveal was that the coffee drinkers within the studies were also smokers, so all of the health issues researched could actually be attributed to smoking. Now that that rumors have been cleared up, coffee is again being researched, only to find that it is full of healthy benefits and potential for disease prevention!

Many people started drinking tea because it is full of antioxidants, but did you know that Java actually contains more antioxidants than a cup of tea? Coffee also has the potential to protect against liver disease and cancer, and it lowers the risk of developing type II diabetes. The reason for this is that regular coffee consumption will lower blood sugar levels in the body and regulate the metabolism, which can often contribute to type II diabetes.

Many people rely upon tea for weight loss benefits, especially since green tea can be found in many diet products. However, if you drink coffee in moderation, then you can also experience the benefits of boosting metabolism and suppressing the appetite due to the caffeine content, also offering you the ability to lose extra pounds. If you're hoping to lose weight, the best way to drink coffee is black, and also to split it up throughout the day. Splitting up your coffee consumption will prevent you from having a caffeine crash, and it will also keep your metabolism high all day long.

When it comes to the debate as to whether coffee or tea is better, keep in mind that coffee is currently the number one beverage source of antioxidants being consumed in the United States today. Tea comes in second, but it is a less popular drink for consumption. It has also been disproven that coffee contributes to heart disease, and it will protect against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The bottom line is that both beverages provide health benefits, but coffee's list of wellness payoffs is growing longer and longer every day, so why not drink to your health?

Another popular accessory for coffee is the commercial coffee maker! For a great selection, check out Mark Ramos' website, The Coffee Bump.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Ramos

Green Tea and Prostate Cancer - The Link Finally Proven and Established

2010-01-10T01:58:00.000+07:00

With more and more people falling prey to the ghostly disease of cancer, green tea has arrived with great news for one and all. The link between green tea and prostate cancer prevention is well established now.

Earlier whatever claims were being made on green tea and prostate cancer prevention, they were really not very conclusive. There was nothing much that could be confirmed from those studies. However, today things are different. There is information sufficient enough to prove that green tea and prostate cancer prevention go hand in hand.

A recent test was carried on a set of 60 people - half of which were given this medicinal tea and half weren't. After a thorough observation of around 1 year, the results confirmed that while 14 out of the people in the second half (deprived of this tea) were found to develop prostate cancer; the first group had only 1!

The results are shocking as well as encouraging. So, what really is this tea and how does it help prevent an ailment like cancer? Green tea is derived from a plant known as Camellia Sinensis. The leaves of this plant are processed using a steaming process so that the invincible anti-oxidants present in it are properly retained while preparing this tea.

These anti oxidants or Catechins as they are formally called, help in destroying the unwanted cancerous cells. Moreover, they also help in preventing the further growth and development of these self-duplicating cells.

Thus, they help not only in preventing prostate cancer but other cancer types like breast and liver cancer too. The wonders that this herbal tea can do to your health, is not limited to cancer prevention alone. It is extremely useful in reducing the LDL (bad cholesterol) in the body too. This provides a better protection against the second big health issue - cardiovascular diseases.

The next question is how to ensure a regular intake of this miraculous herb?

One obvious way is to consume this tea regularly. However, this has certain downsides. One - to get the real benefits, you will need to consume up to 5-6 cups of this tea daily. This may be practically difficult as well as monotonous too.

Two - it has caffeine in it. Excessive amounts of this substance are known to cause edginess and sleeplessness. It can also cause stains and yellow marks on the teeth. Really not a very good choice to go for.

So, what is the best way here?

Use powerful natural supplements containing this tea. In fact you should really look for the supplements containing this tea along with other like natural ingredients. Like green tea and prostate cancer are closely associated, there are other herbs which have been established to work for preventing various other ailments too.

Together these herbs are known to work even better and provide even better results.

Now that you know how well green tea and prostate cancer are linked together, the next step for you should be to either make this tea a part of your daily regimen or better still choose a natural supplement for you and your family.

Dan Reeves is a dedicated advocate and researcher of the incredible benefits that natural supplements have to offer. Visit his website http://www.supplementshome.com now and discover which products Dan recommends after extensive research.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Reeves

Green Tea and Cancer Prevention - Does it Really Help?

2010-01-05T01:56:00.000+07:00

Do you know that the chances of an average American getting cancer has risen in the past few years from 1 in 12 to 1 in 3? Shocking but true.

The unfortunate part is that even with numerous advancements in science and technology, cancer is one ailment which still remains invincible. There is no sure shot cure yet. But wait, there is one easy and natural way to prevent this fatal disease - Green Tea.

Green tea and cancer prevention has been getting all the due attention in the past few years. After all, if all it takes to keep oneself away from cancer is to consume this herbal tea, who would say no to such a pleasant offer?

How green tea and cancer prevention works?

This herbal tea is a rich source of active ingredients called Polyphenols. These Polyphenols have wonderful antibacterial, antioxidant and anti cancer properties. They work by killing the free radicals which are basically responsible for causing majority of diseases.

Its anti cancerous properties prevent the abnormal growth of cells which is the underlying cause of cancer.

The best part about this medicinal herb is that it aids against all types of cancers - breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer etc.

Now, the only practical problem here is consuming this tea on a regular basis.

To get the required amount of Polyphenols for effective cancer prevention, you would need to consume at least 5-6 cups of this beverage daily. This is practically difficult and monotonous too.

So, why not look out for a better option - Natural green tea supplements.

These supplements contain the concentrated form of this medicinal tea. So all you need to do is to take 1-2 capsules a day and relieve yourself from all your health related worries.

Another advantage with these supplements is that they facilitate the regular and optimal intake of this amazing herb.

When you set out to buy these supplements, make sure to pick the one which comes with an enteric coating. The benefit of this coating is that it saves the supplement from getting dissolved in the acids present in the stomach.

On reaching the small intestine intact, it gets fully absorbed and hence the body can receive the full effects of the active ingredients present in this tea.

So, there you have it. Now, you know the close relation between green tea and cancer prevention. I am sure you will ensure taking the right steps to protect your family from this fatal disease.

If you need my assistance in selecting an effective natural green tea supplement for you, visit my website listed below. After knowing about green tea and cancer prevention, ignoring this would be a big mistake.

Dan Reeves is a dedicated advocate and researcher of the incredible benefits that natural supplements have to offer. Visit his website http://www.supplementshome.com now and discover which products Dan recommends after extensive research.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Reeves

Black Tea and Its Amazing Health Benefits

2010-01-02T01:55:00.000+07:00

Even though the field of tea research is comparatively very young and majority of the research has been conducted over green tea. Besides green tea, researchers and scientists have diversified and started exploring health benefits of black tea as well. The main difference between green tea and black leaf tea is that, the later is put through fermentation process. The process of fermentation converts the antioxidants present into other compounds, which provides different but no less health benefits than green tea.

A research conducted in Netherlands over a period of fifteen years, studied on about 552 people on supervising the health benefits of particular flavonoids, found that more than seventy percent of the flavonoids came from black tea. The results of the research indicated that, production of certain kind of cholesterol called "LDL cholesterol", which are believed to be the main cause of heart strokes and attacks have decreased with regular intake of flavonoids. It also additionally concluded that men drinking four to five cups of black tea per day had a lowered risk of heart attack when compared to men drinking two cups a day.

A study conducted in Saudi Arabia concluded that, there is a fifty percent reduced chance of coronary heart diseases to people who consumed black leaf tea. There are numerous health benefits of consuming black tea.

Some of them are:
• Black leaf tea has well authenticated cardiovascular benefits.
• Research also illustrate that drinking black tea can be helpful in deactivating certain kinds of mouth viruses such as herpes (also known as cold sores).
• It helps prevention of diarrhea, pneumonia and many varieties of skin infections.
• Consuming black tea increases the rate of metabolism in human body and burns a lot of fat.
• The fluoride content of black leaf tea strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay.
• It helps to decrease glucose levels in the body, which helps people suffering from diabetes.

The antioxidants called TF-2 produced by black tea aids preventing and fighting cancers. TF-2 is a strong antioxidant which breaks down the cancerous cells and leaves the healthy cells unaltered. Many scientists' make a disclaimer that some more research needs to be conducted for a solid proof of these statements. By drinking the black tea with out any additions, the health benefits are sure to increase.

Black leaf tea is becoming more and more popular these days because of its health benefits. If you are a tea consumer, why not try consuming black leaf tea? Give it a try and check if it helps in improving your health condition.

Olivia has been writing articles on many subjects for 2 decades. You can see some of them at Sorel Winter Boots and Kitchenaid Meat Grinder.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Atkinson

Health Benefits of Tea Flowers and Mindfulness Exercises

2009-12-04T02:03:00.000+07:00

The Use of Flowers and Herbs in Eastern and Early Western Medicine:

Eastern medicine and even early Western medicine utilized the various benefits experienced through the use of herbs and flowers. Today, many of these benefits are combined in blooming tea, a tea brewed from tea balls or tea flowers.

What is a Tea Flower?

A tea flower is the same as a tea ball, hand sewn leaves of usually green or white tea that surround a colorful flower that blooms when you drop it in hot water. Thus the name blooming tea. Both flowers and tea are healthy and tasty.

What kinds of Flowering Tea are there?

There are a variety of these tea balls made from different tea leaves and containing different flowers, each with a distinct and beautiful effect. The flowers that bloom within the tea balls enhance the benefits of drinking tea while providing aroma that is therapeutic as well. Each variety of flower has its own special benefits that include many antioxidant qualities.

Herbal versus "True" Tea:

All types of "true" tea (as opposed to herbal tea) come from the same plant - Camellia sinensis. Herbal teas come from various herbs that may be brewed like tea, but are not from the same plant as real tea. The major difference between black tea, green tea, and oolong tea is how the leaves are processed after they are picked.

Green and White Tea:

Both Green and White tea contain polyphenols. Phenols (a chemical compound containing an aromatic benzene ring with a hydroxyl group (OH) attached) are potent antioxidants that attach to free radicals in your body helping to neutralize the free radical negative effects.

White tea seems to have more polyphenols and is considered a cancer-fighting antioxidant. Research at Pace University has shown that white tea extract may actually help retard the growth of bacteria that cause staphylococcus infections, pneumonia and dental cavities. Researchers say that white tea may destroy the disease-causing organisms.

Compounds in white tea have also been found to be effective in enhancing skin cells' immune functions and in protecting the skin from harmful effects of the sun.

Green tea offers many health benefits for those who drink it regularly. Besides offering antioxidant benefits, green tea is believed by many to be excellent as a weight loss supplement Regular use of green tea is an accepted, healthy habit..

Flowers in Blooming Tea:

There are a number of flowers and flower combinations used in tea flowers. Their flavors and aromas vary and enhance the experience through color and beauty thus accommodating your mood.

Benefits include the presence of antioxidants that, as in green and white tea, reduce levels of damaging free radicals that in turn help prevent aging and aid in a number of other areas of health. Flowers are caffeine free whereas green and white tea contain caffeine.

A few of the types of flowers used in blooming tea include osmanthus, lily, jasmine, rose, chrysanthemum, magnolia, globe amaranth, peony, carnation and others. To understand more about the health benefits of tea flowers and where to obtain them, visit A Tea Flower Moment.

Mindfulness and taking tea:

In today's hustle, bustle world, where each day we must deal with a damaged economy and violence whether in the media, on the street or at home, stress has become a major factor in our deteriorating health. Stress reduction is important due to the damaging effects it has on our bodies.

Stress causes the inappropriate release of adrenaline which in turn causes the heart to beat faster and harder, shunts blood to certain organs and muscles at the expense of other organs, and changes hormones, specifically cortisol, a hormone that is important in fat, sugar and protein metabolism. A simple habit started hundreds of years ago in England and thousands of years ago in Asia, combined with making the most of the moment through mindfulness exercises can combat the effects of stress.

A Tea Flower Moment is a website dedicated to helping people navigate their daily stresses without experiencing the often devastating effects of stress. By teaching mindfulness exercises, giving helpful daily tips on mindful living and encouraging the healthy daily habit of enjoying the beauty of blooming tea in a peaceful environment, you combine goodness for your body with goodness for your soul.

A Tea Flower Moment Club offers membership for monthly shipments of tea flowers to encourage keeping the daily healthy habit and mindfulness exercises. Products for creating the perfect environment and for enjoyment of the moment are also part of the website. Visit today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Eschler

Peppermint Tea - Why Drinking it is Good For the Health

2009-12-04T02:02:00.000+07:00

Peppermint is a popular herbal tea that is characterized with its strong minty aroma and distinctive taste. It is also known today as mint tea. It is a favorite of many because it does not only have a great taste but it also offers relaxing experiences and various health benefits.

The menthol content of peppermint gives the tea its minty aroma and its superior flavor. Peppermint contains volatile oil, vitamin B, calcium and potassium. The tea is associated with several health benefits because of the healthy properties of peppermint.

Peppermint tea promotes digestion and helps ease diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome as well as stomach cramps and stomach aches. Its menthol flavor helps us to get away with bad breath and relieve us of headaches. It could even help ease cough and colds as well as mild asthma. Sore throat can also be done away through gargling with peppermint tea. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses produced by diseases are also suppressed because of its menthol content. Muscle pains and chronic complaints are also prevented by drinking peppermint tea. It can also be used to treat skin diseases by using it in baths. A decongesting therapy can also be done by inhaling the steam of peppermint tea. Drinking this herbal tea simply offers quite a long list of health benefits.

Tea made from peppermint is prepared by either using dried peppermint leaves or fresh peppermint leaves. It can also be mixed with honey or lemon juice. It is done by adding dried or fresh peppermint leaves to hot or boiling water and then steeping it for several minutes before straining.

Peppermint tea is easily prepared and it offers a great deal of health benefits besides its refreshing taste and aroma.

My name is Darren and I love to drink Coffee & Tea. If you love herbal teas then I think that you will find the information about peppermint tea available on my website of great interest.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_R_Sturridge

English Tea, With Fall Colors

2009-11-10T20:29:00.000+07:00

By M.H.REED

The annual fall display of foliage entices many who celebrate the season to drive into the “country” for an up-close look at leaves that have turned from green to brilliant copper, bronze and gold. But a ground-level view can be limited — often one cannot see the dazzling forest for the trees.
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Westchester Dining | Peekskill: Marrying the Flavors of Beer and Food (October 11, 2009)

To take in miles and miles of the splendid show at one glance, from the comfort of a well-appointed aerie, consider making a reservation for Sunday afternoon tea, offered between noon and 3 p.m. at 42, the restaurant on the 42nd floor of the Ritz-Carlton Westchester.

A traditional three-tiered server comes stocked with tea treats. At the top are delicious scones, house-made jam and clotted cream. The middle tier is for savories, an assortment of dainty cut sandwiches made with high-quality breads; well-seasoned fillings might include curried chicken salad with raisins, Black Forest ham with Gruyère, and egg salad and cress. Sweets fill the bottom tier — perhaps miniature lemon curd or custard tarts, buttery cookies and chocolate bonbons. Assortments change from time to time.

Pots of black, green or herbal tea are replenished often.

While English tea time is later in the day, and 42’s service may not be quite as grand as that of London’s Palm Court at the Ritz, 42 offers a matchless view and, at $37 (plus tax and gratuity), rings in at half the price. M. H. REED

42, at the Ritz-Carlton Westchester, One Renaissance Square, White Plains; (914) 761-4242; 42therestaurant.com. Afternoon tea, Sundays, noon to 3 p.m.

Coffee Consumption May Help Alzheimer's Patients

2009-10-25T22:17:00.001+07:00

From a previous DHB alert you've heard about research linking caffeine and Alzheimer's patients, now another study offers very promising results - moderate caffeine intake reverses memory loss in mice bred to develop Alzheimer's.

The caffeine also reduced the level of beta-amyloid protein (a hallmark protein found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's) in both the blood and brains of the mice. The study is set to appear in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and brings high hopes of trials that could begin on humans very soon.

Alzheimer's, for those fortunate enough not to know about this life altering condition, is an irreversible and progressive disease that destroys thinking and memory.

In the end, patients don't have the ability to do even the simplest everyday things, cooking, dressing, driving a car, making decisions, running errands.

This isn't the normal forgetfulness of aging... rather the limitations are such that they interfere with your daily life. In the majority of cases Alzheimer's symptoms show up after age 60. Recent estimates have as many as 2.4 to 4.5 million Americans living with this awful disease.

This highly promising work builds on earlier studies by the team of researchers at the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center that found caffeine intake in early adulthood prevented the onset of memory problems in mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease.

The team became interested in caffeine's potential for treating Alzheimer's after some Portuguese researchers reported that those with Alzheimer's had consumed less caffeine in the last 20 years than those without the disease.

There have been several uncontrolled trials that reported moderate caffeine intake might protect against normal memory decline due to aging, though this latest work is more highly controlled, allowing experts to isolate the effects of caffeine on memory.

"The new findings provide evidence that caffeine could be a viable 'treatment' for established Alzheimer's disease, and not simply a protective strategy," researcher Gary Arendash, PhD, a neuroscientist at the University of South Florida, says in a news release.

"That's important because caffeine is a safe drug for most people, it easily enters the brain, and it appears to directly affect the disease process."

In the work, 55 mice bred to have Alzheimer's symptoms were divided into two groups; one was given 500 mg (equal to 5 eight-ounce cups of regular coffee, 14 cups of tea or 20 sodas) of caffeine in their daily water supply after they started to exhibit memory problems. The other group of mice got plain, de-caffeinated water.

After 2 months the caffeine-drinking mice did much better on tests of their memory and thinking skills. The skills were the equal of normal mice without dementia who were the same age.

The mice who drank water without the added caffeine, the control group, kept doing poorly on the tests of thinking and memory.

The brains of the caffeine-drinking mice also saw the level of beta-amyloid, the protein that forms the sticky clumps of plaques found in Alzheimer's patients brains, cut almost in half.

Taking things one step further, the team also studied long-term caffeine intake in normal mice, but after 10 months of treatment with caffeine, there wasn't an improvement in their memory or thinking skills.

The investigators suspect that the caffeine might help to restore memory by reducing the enzymes that are needed to create beta-amyloid. Caffeine might also help to reduce inflammatory changes in the brain that might also lead to an over-abundance of the protein.

Researchers cannot tell us what begins the Alzheimer's process, though experts know that the damage begins 10-20 years before any symptoms appear on the outside.

If you've noticed changes in you, or someone you love, know that early diagnosis gives you the heads up - helping you preserve as much cognitive ability as possible.

While you can't repair the deterioration process that's happened silently over the years, you can learn more about treatments (or clinical trials) that can give you a chance to hold on to your brain function for months or even years.

Early diagnosis for Alzheimers patients also gives you the time to plan... to make your own choices about where you'll live, as well as make financial and legal decisions you want to have control over before a condition like Alzheimer's makes this impossible.

Next just head on over to the Daily Health Bulletin for more information on how coffee consumption effects your health, plus get 5 free fantastic health reports.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirsten_Whittaker

Choosing a Coffee Table

2009-10-25T22:15:00.000+07:00

The humble coffee table is one of the last things we usually think of when decorating a house, but it provides an important social function as well as being a big part of the decoration of the living room. For those reasons alone you spend a little bit of time trying to find the perfect coffee table for your house.

The first thing you think about when buying any kind of table is your budget. This is because not only will it narrow down your options, but it goes a long way to deciding on what kind of material you can afford. For example if you're thinking of buying a cheap wood coffee table then your budget wont have to be as much as if you are buying a solid oak table which costs a lot more.

You should also think about the function you want your coffee table to provide. For example, do you want it to just be a decoration, or do you want it to provide another function as well such as storage space? These are all questions that you need to answer before you even start looking for a coffee table.

When you actually go to start looking, I always find it helpful to look around on the Internet first just to get an idea of the prices on the market at the time as well is what you can expect to pay for different kinds of material. A little bit of extra research can save you a lot of money in the long run.

You can find out more information about buying a new oak coffee table as well as the traditional square coffee table by using the links provided.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Head

Green Tea Weight Loss - The Healthy Drink

2009-10-20T22:02:00.000+07:00

Green tea weight loss drinks are becoming more popular by the week, as more people realize the health benefits of drinking it. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage on earth and has an over 4000-year history as a health promoting drink - and now the green tea weight loss benefits are boosting its consumption even more.

The tea plant, technically known as Camellia Sinensis, produces green, black and oolong tea. The difference in the type is a result of the different ways in which the tea leaves are processed after harvesting.

The majority of the tea currently available in Jamaica and the world is black tea. Although all these three varieties have health benefits, green tea is far more superior to the others in this regard. Medical research has confirmed what the Chinese have been saying for centuries: that green tea contains special health preserving and revitalizing power.

Antioxidants - Green tea contains a group of compounds called polyphenols. They are powerful antioxidants which are responsible for the therapeutic properties of green-tea. One of these substances, called EGCG for short, is 200 times more powerful as an antioxidants than vitamin E. Green tea contains much more antioxidant than black tea.

Caffeine - a stimulant which is present in the green variety in much smaller amounts than in black tea or coffee. In small amounts, it can be an excellent energy enhancer, but it is best to limit one's intake as excess caffeine consumption may be unhealthy.

Others - this tea contains over 500 aromatic oils as well as small amounts of several vitamins and minerals.

Health benefits

Cardiovascular disease - the tea lowers the 'bad' cholesterol while increasing the good cholesterol. It reduces blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and acts as a blood thinner.

Cancer - in laboratory experiments, green tea extract prevents cancer of the lung, the liver, prostate and the skin, esophagus and colon Human studies suggest that drinking two or more cups of this tea a day reduces the overall risk of cancer by 10 per cent

Longevity - Studies conducted on Japanese women showed that greater than average drinkers had a lower mortality rate than other women. Researchers believe this to be due a stimulating effect of tea on the immune system.

Oral health - Researchers show that drinking green tea protects the teeth and gums from disease. The polyphenols in tea inhibits the growth of cavity forming bacteria. So, you might like to consider making it your favorite drink. I personally recommend a convenient instant herbal concentrate which can be used hot or cold and also contains additional health promoting herbs. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Green tea has many health benefits, but with the newly claimed weight loss benefits it's easy to see why it's gaining in popularity. To discover more about the green tea weight loss benefits check out my weight loss tips blog today and claim your free report.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Spencer

Wu Long Tea Qing Cha - The Blue Green Wonder Tea

2009-10-20T22:01:00.000+07:00

Wulong tea is grown in the province of Jujian in China, and in Taiwan, and it is largely the most popular tea being served in China. It is said to have properties that no other tea can match.

Wu-Long means "black dragon," and the legend tells us that a farmer who was looking for new flavors in his garden, was lost in thought when he saw spring out of a tea bush an enormous black snake of dragon. He was convinced that this was a sign from higher up. Quickly he grabbed a few leaves from the bush to taste them. This was the first Wu-long tea.

In fact Wu-long tea, sometimes spelled wulong or Oolong is the same as any other tea. Black tea, green tea, white tea, all come from the same bush. The differences in flavors are due to several reasons, first the land and geography as well as climate of where the tea is grown. Secondly the fermentation process that tea is subjected to during drying. Wulong tea is not permitted to ferment totally, but it is more fermented that green tea, that has no fermentation whatsoever.

It is brewed from entire leaves that were never broken, has a subtle taste with a nutty flavor, a hint of honey and hazelnut. Of course when we say that it has a nutty taste, it does not imply that it was brewed with nuts. It means that the natural flavor of the tea can remind us of chestnuts.

Besides its wonderful soft, flavor with a hint of chestnut, Oolong tea as do other green teas has some very definite health advantages. One of the most noted health benefit was made popular by Oprah Winfrey as it is a weight loss wonder.

Besides weight loss and weight control it has proven to be an asset in fighting disease like cancer, Parkinson, diabetes, heart related diseases, and much more. It is not a magic pill, but it can help.

People who have used Wu-long tea for weight loss have discovered, it's taste and the other benefits of green tea, and have continued using tea for medicinal reasons as well as for pleasure.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Winnifred_Berry

Tea

2009-10-10T22:13:00.000+07:00

Tea is soothing, a quality to be craved in these stressful days. It is more subtle than coffee and meant to be sipped, not gulped. A cup of tea has less caffeine than a cup of coffee — half the amount or less.

From a single evergreen plant, camillia sinensis, come the thousands of nonherbal teas consumed around the world. The variety depends on where the tea is grown and how it is gathered and processed. Some variables that determine the type of tea are whether the tea is made from long leaves or short leaves, early buds or later pickings; whether the leaves are whole, broken or rolled and, most important, whether they are allowed to oxidize.

The finest teas are consistent-looking and fresh. Because tea readily picks up foreign aromas and fades in contact with light, teas should be sold and stored in containers that are airtight and opaque. Shops that keep their teas in glass canisters are as bad as those that display coffee in open burlap bags. In the proper container tea can last up to six months. But it should never be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.