Natural wonders for health–Green tea

Green tea and its nutrients

All kinds of tea, be it black, green or oolong, comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The colour of the tea depends upon the amount of fermentation it has been through. Oolong tea is partially fermented, black tea is completely fermented and green tea is not fermented at all. It is produced by steaming fresh tea leaves at very high temperature.

That tea is rich in antioxidants is a given, but green tea is known to contain large amounts of polyphenols, thearubigins, epicatechins and catechins – all types of an antioxidant known as flavanoids.

Green tea and its health benefits

Heart healthy: Regular consumption of green tea has been known to reduce overall cholesterol levels, especially the bad LDL cholesterol which ultimately reduces the risk of heart attacks and heart diseases.

Fights cancer: Catechins present in green tea, are the flavanoids which fight free radicals that damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer. Since green tea is not put through a whole lot of processing, catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are available in larger numbers.

Helps you lose weight: Can a simple activity like drinking green tea help you lose weight? Recent studies show that catechins help combat accumulated fat and aid in weight loss. Experts say that this fat reducing property catechins can help in a number of lifestyle disease, including obesity.

Boosts your immune system: The antioxidants in green tea help give your immune system a boost of good health which helps keep common ailments like the flu away.

Happy teeth: Catechins are also antibacterial, which is why they are so great in fighting tooth decay, gum diseases and bad breath. Additionally, they also reduce the formation of plaque.

Prevents diabetes: Preliminary studies show that green tea may help to prevent or at the very least, slow down the onset of diabetes. The same study also suggested that green tea acts a very good agent in lowering your blood sugar.

Improves bone health: Studies show that not only can drinking green tea help improve bone density and help reduce the risk of a fracture, it also encourages bone formation.

Reduces the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s: Research shows that polyphenols  present in green tea helps in improving concentration, prevents memory loss and helps reduce the accumulation of brain damaging proteins in your body.

 Great for your skin: Not just as a drink, skin care products with green tea extracts are also wonderful for your skin as it helps your skin stay supple. The antioxidants in green tea are also known to help keep wrinkles at bay.

Experts suggest anywhere from 2-5 cups daily can help you rake in maximum benefit from this natural wonder. Try the decaffeinated version if you’re worried about the caffeine.

Natural Health benefits of using – Flax Seeds

Flax seeds: Tiny seeds, healthy indeed!

Flax seeds look similar to sesame seeds (til) but are slightly larger in size. They have a hard but smooth and shiny outer shell and their colour palette ranges from deep amber to reddish brown. The flavour is warm, earthy and subtly nutty.

While they are technically not a grain, their vitamin and mineral profile is even better than that of regular grains. Even the amount of fibre, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids in flax leaves the rest of the grain family much behind in quality and content.

Health benefits of flax seed:

• Good source of Omega-3 fatty acids: Flax seeds are rich inomega-3 essential fatty acids which help in combating inflammation. Omega-3s are especially good for those suffering from hypertension, as it helps to regulate blood pressure.
• Rich in multiple nutrients: High in nutrients such as vitamin B complex, magnesium and manganese. They also help to lower cholesterol.
• Good for digestion: These seeds are full of fibre and hence act as a natural laxative
• Anti carcinogenic properties: Flax seeds have high levels of lignans (plant chemicals with lots of health benefits) which help in protecting against breast and prostate cancer.
• Protection against diabetes: Flax seeds are known to decrease insulin resistance and help in regulating blood sugar. The lignans in flax seed may actually help prevent diabetes.
• Good for weight watchers: Flax seed is very low in carbohydrates, making it an ideal choice for people who limit their intake of sugar and starch. It’s also a delight for vegans and vegetarians as it is a non-animal source of omega-3 fatty acid and is often used as an egg substitute in baked products to add structure and body to the food.
• Beneficial for women’s health: Research shows that flax seed is especially beneficial for women. It’s known to help women improve their chances of conceiving a baby. Flax seeds also helps to promote normal ovulation and in restoring hormonal balance. It’s also been known to protect postmenopausal women from cardiovascular disease.
• Protection against dry eyes: The Omega-3 fatty acids in flax seed help to fend off dry eyes.

Tips for using flax seed

Ideally, flax seed should be consumed in the grounded form rather than as a whole seed or as its oil. Light grinding allows a better nutrient absorption (or else they will just “pass through”), while flax seed oil alone contains neither the fibre nor the phytochemicals (plant chemicals with disease fighting properties) of the seed itself.

Start slowly if you aren’t used to a high-fibre diet. Grind it coarsely and drink plenty of water along with the powder. You could have it with your cereals or hot and shakes and smoothies or even add it to homemade cookies, vegetables or salads.

To get maximum benefits, 2 tablespoons of ground flax is recommended per day.

Though it’s still being researched and until more is known, pregnant and breastfeeding women should check with their doctors before eating flax seed. Also check the quantity you can have in a day.