What Makes Tea So Effective At Preventing Heart Disease?

Many bodies of research have shown that tea is effective at preventing heart disease in several ways. Tea prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol into plaque, the hard substance that clogs our arteries, making us more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. Tea is also thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps the heart in its overall function.

In addition to these two important benefits of drinking tea, there is also evidence that tea consumption reverses endothelial dysfunction, one of the precursors to atherosclerosis and heart disease. Endothelial dysfunction can appear years before heart disease symptoms. Therefore, if we can prevent or reverse this problem, heart disease may be prevented before it starts.

The endothelium is the cells that line the inner surface of all blood vessels including arteries and veins. When the endothelium is functioning properly, it is responsible for mediation of coagulation, platelet adhesion, immune function, and control of volume and electrolyte content of the intravascular and extra vascular spaces.

Endothelial dysfunction can be caused by a variety of things, including cigarette smoking and diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. When the endothelium does not function properly, veins and arteries have difficulty dilating properly.

These problems are thought to be the precursor to atherosclerosis, which is a leading cause of heart disease. However, endothelial dysfunction can be prevented and reversed by watching your diet, exercising and drinking tea.

But, just how does tea help prevent and reverse heart disease? There are many theories, and it's likely that we won't know the exact answer for many more years.

We do know that part of the answer is tea's anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants have the power to neutralize the free radicals that our bodies create as a by product of digestion. These free radicals can damage our bodies and lead to disease; but anti-oxidants can protect us against their damage. Tea is one of the best sources of anti-oxidants around.

There are several substances in tea that are thought to be effective. These include catechins, which are polyphenolic antioxidant plant metabolites, specifically flavonoids called flavan-3-ols. EGCG is the most potent of these.

It has been widely assumed that these catechins are the most important attributes of tea, and that they are the active ingredient that prevents heart disease. But, one research study suggests that it may not be these catechins in tea that are so important, after all.

This study, conducted by Boston University, showed that chronic consumption of these specific catechins in tea did not raise the plasma anti-oxidant activity as expected. However, the tea still had the overall protective effect.

So, this study concluded that it may be some other flavonol in tea that is so effective in preventing endothelial dysfunction and other contributors to heart disease. Or, it may be the combination of all the flavonols in tea that work collectively to provide the protective effect.

Whatever the cause, we know that tea is good for you and that it is effective in preventing many forms of disease, not just heart disease. Tea has also been shown to prevent many forms of cancer, as well as Alzheimer's disease.

Many research studies have shown a connection between tea drinking and cancer. Asian cultures, where green tea is consumed in very large quantities, for example, have a much lower incidence of cancer than the rest of the world. They also have a lower risk for cardiovascular disease - even in Japan, where 75% of the men are smokers.

Tea has been shown to prevent lung cancer - even in smokers, and has also been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, digestive system cancer, oral cancer and liver cancer. It has even been shown to be effective in preventing skin cancer when given orally or applied topically.

Tea has also been shown to have a protective effect on brain cells. This means that it may have the power to protect the brain cells from the chemicals in the brain that sometimes damage brain cells, causing Alzheimer's disease.

We don't know why the brain's chemicals sometimes begin to kill off its cells, but there is evidence that tea can prevent this process. So, it's important for all of us to add tea to our diets to protect our health.

It's hard to believe that something so simple, and so common, in our everyday lives could be such an important way to protect our health; yet it appears that tea is just that. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water, and it appears that we should be drinking even more of it.

So, make sure that you're getting your regular dose of tea. Whether it's green or black, hot or cold, brewed or bottled, tea is a great way to protect your health. So, what are you waiting for? Go make yourself a cup of tea!

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Want to Have a Healthy Heart? Drink Tea and Coffee Every Day

By consuming a few cups of tea and coffee a day can significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

This conclusion was made by Dutch researchers, who published the results of the 13-year study of 40 thousand people. According to experts, people who drink more than six cups of tea a day reduce the risk of heart disease by one third. Similar results will be from two to four cups of coffee: the risk of disease is reduced by 20%. It is ironic but true: decaffeinated coffee was less useful. Cardiologists from the Fuqua Heart Center (USA) found that people who regularly drink decaffeinated coffee, 18% increased level of free lipids in the blood. These are then transformed into "bad" cholesterol.

However scientists point out that in the case of the use of much larger amount of coffee therapeutic effect disappears. They found that coffee contains compounds that can both reduce and increase the risk to health. Coffee is extremely complex in their chemical composition and by definition cannot be uniquely harmful or helpful to different people.

Also, do not forget that the most important thing to maintain a good work of the heart is a healthy lifestyle. For example, coffee in combination with a cigarette contributing to a sharp narrowing of the vessels, with alcohol - increased load on the heart, and coffee consumption to a computer monitor doubles the excitement factor of the nervous system.

As for the tea, the most useful compounds contained in it - it is antioxidant and polyphenolic. Proportion of phenols in the tea ranges from 14 to 26%.

Phenol compounds have a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities (antimicrobial and stimulating, P-vitamin, hypertensive, anti-cancer). True, many phenol compounds, which are present in green tea, the manufacture of tea is largely lost. The most active phenol compounds rich in white and green teas.

In addition, tea polyphenoles are highly active antioxidants that are easily and quickly form a safe and stable chemical compounds with different proteins, metals, alkaloids, acids and noxious substances introduced into the body. Then these related substances excreted. That is what makes tea (especially green), a unique antidote.

Polyphenoles are readily soluble only in hot water. That is why tea is brewed with boiling water. After welding cooling down, it is often cloudy. If this does not happen, then the content of polyphenoles in the raw material is not enough. When clouded brew warmed slightly on fire, it will again become transparent.

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Excellent Tips to Making a Heart Warming, Tea Gift Basket

A gift basket can be very personal and sentimental, especially if it's coming from the heart. A tea gift basket can warm the heart and soothe the soul. Drinking tea allows your body to relax and gather your thoughts. That's how the English do it. They sit down and have a "spot" of tea. This gives them a chance to relax and chat.

Tea is made of leaves and you can get it in different flavors. A tea basket is good for those who try to stay warm in the winter. A tea gift basket is a wonderful gift for the person who needs tranquility and relaxation in their life. You can purchase a large or small gift basket and choose what how you want it assembled.

If you're not sure of how you want to create your tea gift basket, consult with a floral shop proprietor who can assist you. Or better yet, check online for a reputable florist that is knowledgeable in gift baskets. The standard tea gift basket includes tea packets, teacups, sugar spoons, strainers, etc. You can also include edible knickknacks, like shortbread, English muffins, scones, or fruit preserves.

Assemble some of the teas that you like and some for the recipient. You should try to include some small and inexpensive china pieces or authentic ancient teacups. Find some linen cloth napkins for decoration. You may want to add a few chocolate items in there, also. The more you think out of the box, the more creative your gift basket will be.

If you don't have any specific teas in mind, check out some of these:

Peppermint tea - assist in relieving menstrual cramps in women.

Chamomile tea - helps to relax your body.

Cranberry tea - good for upset stomach.

Herbal tea - used to relieve stress.

Lemon tea - good for a sore throat (add honey).

For the person that's always on the go, you can get them a tea basket that they can travel with. Get a few flavors of their favorite tea with a festive container to hold the tea bags in. Also include a small tea spoon, sweetener packets and a small teacup.

For something a bit different, you can try Chai teas. Many people in China and India drink this kind of spiced tea. Decorate the basket by including a tea set or a Chinese fan. There's always the Orange and Pekoe tea and they can be made hot or cold.

You can give an herbal tea gift basket in lieu of one that contains caffeine. With this, you can include scone mix, biscuits, teacups or mugs, sweetener packets, teaspoons, and much more. In lieu of a regular tea gift basket, you can give a tea chest for the person who can't live without tea. With a tea chest, you can use it as many times as you want.

If you're really into health and the environment, organic teas may be the thing for you These teas are chemical and pesticide free and environmentally sound. This helps your immune system from not ingesting harmful toxins in your body. Whatever you decide, make it warm and inviting for the recipient.

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Take green tea Capsules is good for the heart

Green tea capsules are a practical and effective alternative to drink as a beverage.

The used leaves come from the plant Camellia sinensis and its active ingredients are polyphenols. Polyphenols contained one subcategory of the other compounds called catechins. It is mainly catechins that provide the benefit.

The benefits of green tea extract are similar to those of the tea. Some of the main advantages are in keeping arteries clear and thus prevent the underlying causes of heart disease. The drink also has a soothing influence, thereby reducing feelings of stress.

In the Japan studies have shown that people drink more 10 cups a day had lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. The same study also showed higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol).

Other data analysis showed 11% decrease myocardial infarction when 3 cups drank every day. Died of myocardial infarction has also proven to be significantly lower among moderate and heavy drinkers to the drinker.

Another interesting angle on the effectiveness of the drink is the so called "Asian paradox" by which a high level of cigarette consumption is located in Asia and the Japan, and yet they have the lowest incidence of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. This has been attributed to the large amount of drunk alcohol in these countries.

Given these advantages, it is logical to take the tea as a measure of protection against heart disease. However, it contains caffeine and which brought some people off the coast of the fear of nervousness or it may cause headaches.

One other thing that can put people off the coast is the high volume of fluid should be taken to obtain the benefits. Some of the studies already mentioned were referring to a figure of 1.4 litres. It is a volume which can be annoying because of the diuretic effect and frequency of urination.

The good news is that green tea capsules can solve these two objections. First, they contain much less caffeine than the beverage. Second, the decaffeinated capsules are available. The extract in capsules still has the catechins with all their valuable antioxidants. Capsules do not result in a high liquid intake - usually just a glass of water will suffice.

Therefore the Green capsules tea offer a solution cared for those who may have concerns regarding the obtaining of caffeine or who do not fancy taking large amounts of liquid to get the required benefits.

Roger Franklin is natural to GoodHealthToGo writer, researcher and avid user of health products. Please visit [http://www.goodhealthtogo.com] for more information and to learn more about the products we use which contain green tea.