Eating pulses everyday may help long term weight loss

Eating just one serving of pulses everyday could contribute to moderate weight loss and keep it off, a new study suggests.

The study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who ate 130 grams (3/4 cup) of pulses every day lost an average of 0.34 kilograms (0.75 pounds) in six weeks, compared with those who did not consume pulses regularly. Although the figure may seem small, the participants were able to lose their weight without reducing their intake of other food. [Read more 7 Foods That Will Help You Lose Weight]

Researchers said that these high-fiber foods keep people feel fuller for longer period of time, and according to them, 90% of weight loss efforts fail because of hunger and cravings for food.

The lead author of the study is Dr. Russell de Souza, of the Li Ka Shing Inst. at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

Read more Eating Fish Weekly Makes Kids More Intelligent And Sleep Better

Pulses include beans, peas, chickpeas and lentils. Health benefits of pulses are well documented. They are low in fat and high in protein and fiber. Therefore pulses are considered a good substitute for animal protein and dairy products. Pulses are also high in zinc, iron, folate, phosphorus and numerous vitamins and minerals.

Read more Encapsulated pancreatic cells could replace injections for diabetes patients

The latest research is based on a past study by the hospital's Clinical Nutrition Center, which showed that daily consumption of pulses makes participants feel fuller than if they consumed a control diet, and that pulses were a good diet for reducing bad cholesterol.

Dr. de Souza and his colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 21 clinical trials involving 940 participants.

Each trial was conducted for a minimum of 3 weeks, during which time the weight-loss effects of diets containing dietary pulses were compared with diets that did not.

Read more Eat blueberries for a healthy heart

Over an average duration of six weeks, the team found that individuals who ate 130 g (3/4 cup) of pulses daily had an average weight loss of 0.34 kg (0.75 lbs) - compared with people who did not eat pulses daily. [Read more Just One Good Breakfast Every Day May Be Enough To Keep Weight Away]

Furthermore, the team notes that the pulse-consuming individuals who experienced weight loss made no other major changes to their diets.

Read more Scientists discover possible solution for Alzheimer’s immunotherapy side effects

The low glycemic index (GI) of pulses make people feel full for longer period of time, which can result in reduced food intake and weight loss. Low GI means pulses break down and convert into energy at a slower pace.

Dr. de Souza says that although there was little weight loss, the results of this study suggest that having pulses in diet may help lose weight and prevent one from gaining it back after losing it.

Obesity: a quick look

A person is considered obese when his or her body mass index (BMI) is over 30/m2. The range of 25 – 30 kg/m2 is considered overweight. BMI is obtained by dividing the weight of a person by the square of his height.

Read more Avoid Obesity: Have Home-Cooked Meals, Turn Off The TV While Eating

Obesity is linked with a myriad of diseases and conditions, especially cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, asthma, and certain forms of cancer. Therefore obesity is thought to be responsible for reducing life expectancy.

জেনে নিন গাজরের অসংখ্য না জানা গুণাবলী

However, not all obese people may not have these conditions. You are more at risk if you have a family history of these diseases.

It also matters where you weight is. If the weight is mostly around your stomach (apple shape), you’re at greater risk than if the weight is mainly around your buttocks and hips (pear shape).

Read more High-Fat Diet Damages Brain, Effecting Learning And Memory

The United States is facing an obesity epidemic. More than a third (78.6 million) of Americans are obese, highlighting the need for effective weight-loss strategies. In 2008, obesity cost the US around $147 billion. Obesity is known to increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some types of cancer.

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Turmeric improves heart health

Coronary heart disease and stoke are the leading causes of death in the US and UK. More alarming is the fact that it is no longer considered an ‘old age’ disease. More young and middle aged people are suffering from heart disease today than ever before.

High cholesterol levels or atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque that can block arteries) causes heart attack or strokes. Plaque buildup triggers the formation of blood clots. A blocked artery to the heart causes a heart attack. An artery leading to the brain that’s blocked causes an ischemic stroke.

Studies have found that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric may prevent formation of blood clots by reducing the adhesive abilities of blood platelets. Turmeric has also been found to de-stress blood vessels and reduce damage to the heart after suffering a heart attack.

In laboratory studies on animals, a specific turmeric extract lowered total cholesterol levels and kept LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) from accumulating in blood vessels.

Red more Eating Fish Weekly Makes Kids More Intelligent And Sleep Better

This is not surprising that turmeric has been used in Indian medicine for more than 4,000 years.

A 2012 study published in the Nutrition Research journal showed that in post-menopausal women curcumin is as effective as a moderate aerobic exercise in enhancing vascular function.

Read more 10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

Turmeric improves heart health

The researchers recruited 32 post-menopausal women for the 8-week long study.

Researchers used ultrasound to gauge flow-mediated arterial dilation, which is a conventional measure of arterial elasticity, and hence endothelial function. Endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels. A disruption of the endothelial function is deemed a primary cause of atherosclerosis development.
Read more Type 2 Diabetes Cure? A Super Low-Calorie Diet May Be The Answer!

Turmeric tea

The participants were divided into 3 groups – non-treatment control, exercise, and curcumin.

Women in the curcumin group were given 150 milligrams of turmeric extract daily, for 8 weeks. They were supplied 25 milligrams of curcumin in the form of colloidally dispersed nanoparticle. Their food intake and exercise habits remained the same during the study period.

For more than 3 days a week, women in the exercise group were required to take aerobic exercise training.  The exercise involved cycling and walking.

Researchers found that after 8 weeks, flow-mediated dilation raised significantly for women in both exercise group and curcumin group, compared to the women in control group.

Read more Eating Tomatoes May Repair Lung Damage In Ex-Smokers 

Using supplemental curcumin

Those who intend to use curcumin as a supplement should note that curcumin in supplement form tend to pass quickly through the gastrointestinal tract without being fully absorbed. This means that the consumer misses out on much of its health benefits. It’s better to look for the kind that is highly bioavailable.

Inflammation is the root cause many condition, including heart disease. Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin make it a heart healthy diet plan. To prepare a heart-healthy meal, we should make turmeric the main ingredient of our cooking.

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জেনে নিন গাজরের অসংখ্য না জানা গুণাবলী 

Heart-Healthy Nutty Turmeric Chicken Salad 

Ingredients

·         Chicken breasts (4 pcs., cooked)

·         Turmeric (1/2 – 1 tsp)

·         Onion powder (1/4 tsp)

·         Garlic powder (1/4 tsp)

·         Black pepper (1/2 tsp)

·         Salt (seasoned or real, 1 tsp)

·         Kelp (powder, flakes or granules; 1 tsp)

·         Celery stalks (2-3, chopped)

·         Cherries or currants (2 tbsp, dried)

·         Parsley (7-10 sprigs, fresh)

·         Dijon mustard (3 tbsp)

·         Greek Yogurt (2 to 3 tbsp)

·         Pecan pieces (2 tbsp)

·         Almond slivers (2 tbsp)

·         Sunflower seeds (2 tbsp)

Directions

1.      Lightly shred the chicken breasts using two forks

2.      Add in mustard and yogurt. Now add the seasonings and begin to incorporate while you continue to shred the chicken breasts

3.      Add the remaining ingredients and incorporate

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Turmeric in combination with fish oil could prevent type-2 diabetes

Turmeric, known for its vivid yellow hue, musky aroma, and as a popular spice in Indian cooking, had also been used in Indian and Chinese medicine for over 4,000 years. Now, it seems this spice can also be used to prevent a very common disease across the globe.

Read more 10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin
  
Turmeric, in combination with fish oil could delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes, according to scientists from Nutraceuticals at Newcastle University, in the UK. Lead author Professor Manohar Garg and colleagues say that curcumin – a compound present in turmeric – can potentially delay or prevent type 2 diabetes, when combined with omega 3 fatty acid.

Read more Type 2 diabetes linked to neurofibrillary tangles found in brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients

“Systemic inflammation is one of the main causes of Diabetes Type 2 and this impacts insulin function and secretion,” says professor Garg. 

“We want to nip the inflammation in the bud. This study refers to the use of two bioactive compounds found in food…curcumin and the omega-3 fat. Both are vital anti-inflammatory agents,” he added.

Read more High-Fat Diet Damages Brain, Affecting Learning And Memory

  
The human volunteers who took part in the research were in the age group of 30-70 years and were prone to diabetes. The participants either had impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose. They were divided into four groups. Each of them received 200g of curcumin capsules and 1g of omega 3 fat. The first group received only curcumin capsules, the second group received only the omega 3 fat and the third group was given a combination of both curcumin and the omega 3 fat. The fourth group acted as a control group avoiding the supplies. 

 

Professor Garg says both turmeric and omega 3 are anti-inflammatory agents. 

"Inflammation, if it sticks around in the body, can actually speed up the process of diabetes production," he said. 

"Inflammation can be self-resolved, but we can speed it up by taking certain natural products in the diet,” he added.

  
Read more Encapsulated pancreatic cells could replace injections for diabetes patients

Prof. Garg believes that the anti-inflammatory mechanisms in curcumin and omega-3 fats are different. He also believes that more tests are needed in order to find out if these compounds complement each other and determine their joint effort in treatment. The idea is, when used in combination, they will be as effective as drugs for treating diabetes. [Read more 15 reasons why you should eat more fish]

When bound to fat, the bioavailability of curcumin is increased 40 times and is easily absorbed within the body. It is suggested that 3 curcumin capsules be taken around 3 times a day to achieve the best results.

Read more Type 2 Diabetes Cure? A Super Low-Calorie Diet May Be The Answer!

Healthy and delicious recipe for diabetics

The benefits of curcumin and omega 3 have already been discussed. Studies have shown that ginger has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It combats cellular damage and help boost immune function. Ginger helps with digestion and bowel function. It also helps relieve cramping, bloating, and nausea. Coriander, the fine aromatic herb nurtures the body and helps relieve nausea. It also fights inflammation and supports liver function.

Read more Coriander: Health benefits, history and nutrition facts

Steamed White fish with turmeric and ginger      

Ingredients

·         Ginger, grated – 1 tablespoon

·         Turmeric, grated – 1 tablespoon

·         Garlic, smashed – 2 cloves

·         Soy sauce – 1 tablespoon

·         Olive oil – 2 tablespoon

·         Black pepper, ground – generous pinch

·         White fish filets, 2x200g pieces

·         Lime, 1

·         Coriander, chopped – 1 bunch

·         Water ¼ cup

Direction

Combine turmeric, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, lime juice and olive oil into a mortar or blender and make a paste.

Fold in the finely chopped coriander.

Coat the fish filets with this paste.

Wrap the filets individually with a baking paper, aluminium foil or banana leaf. Make sure it is sealed really well.

Steam the fish for 10 minutes or until cooked through.

Remove from heat.

Serve immediately with salad or vegetables.

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Turmeric: More Effective Than Prozac

Can Turmeric Prevent Alzheimer’s?

The Powerful Anti-Cancer Properties Of Turmeric

Turmeric: Better Than Drugs For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Turmeric improves heart health

Read More

What causes vitamin D deficiency, and how to prevent it?

Vitamin D is found in a tiny variety of foods and is produced naturally when we expose our skin to sunlight.

Poor nutrition and staying indoors for an extended period of time have shot up vitamin D deficiency in people in the last 20 years.

About a quarter of the U.S. population is at risk of vitamin D “inadequacy,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC).

What is vitamin D and how can we prevent its deficiency?,

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, is created when our skin gets exposed to sunlight. It can be found only in a small number of foods, such as milk. [Read more The powerful anti-cancer properties of turmeric]

This vitamin is best known for backing calcium metabolism, meaning it aids the body to absorb calcium from food and supplements to encourage the upkeep of healthy bones cells.

Other functions of vitamin D are:

·         Support muscle health

·         Play a part in the immune system

·         Help cells to grow

·         Reduce inflammation

·         Regulate blood pressure and support cardiovascular health

What causes vitamin D deficiency?

The deficiency happens when a person either does not consume enough vitamin D needed for the body or when their body fails to absorb and metabolize the vitamin D they do consume.

These factors affect whether or not a person is at risk of having a vitamin D deficiency:

Dwelling at a high altitude. This is because the residents have less access to the sun's ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays.

Spending indoors too much. Staying indoors means your skin is not absorbing the sun’s rays.

Dwelling in a place that is highly polluted. Some of the sun’s rays can be absorbed by pollution, which reduces ability to make vitamin D.

Using high amounts of sunscreen. Utilizing enough sunscreen to obstruct UV rays might stop vitamin D absorption.  

Having darker skin. People who have darker skin should be exposed to sunlight longer to absorb enough vitamin D. [Read more Be bright, eat right for a healthier brain]

Ambient temperature. Warm skin absorbs the sun’s rays better than cold skin.

Food. Eating foods enriched with vitamin D, or consuming vitamin D fortified foods, lowers the risk of deficiency.

Being overweight. Research has shown that being overweight means having lower levels of vitamin D. Scientists believe this may be due to the fact that excess fat affects vitamin D absorption.

Age. As people age, their ability to absorb vitamin D may decrease.

Gut health. Gut disorders such as Crohn's disease, can weaken the ability of intestines to absorb vitamin D.

Kidney and liver health. Patients with kidney or liver disease usually have lower levels of vitamin D.

Pregnancy or breast-feeding. The nutritional demands of an infant or fetus may lower vitamin D levels.

Being a breast-feeding infant. Breast-feeding infants may need a vitamin D supplement, because there are low levels of vitamin D in human milk.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?

Exhaustion and mood changes.

Many individuals with a vitamin D deficiency may not display any symptom or may spend many years without showing symptoms. [Read more Drinking 5 cups of coffee a day lowers risk of early death]

Symptoms can be indistinct, and are similar to symptoms of a wide array of other ailments. Therefore, it is not safe to self-diagnose a vitamin D deficiency.

People who are showing symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, should request a test to measure vitamin D. Some symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

·         Thinning of bones, frequent bone fractures, or osteoporosis

·         Weak muscle. Unexplained change in muscle strength

·         Mood changes, anxiety or depression

·         Chronic pain

·         High blood pressure

·         Exhaustion

·         Reduced endurance

·         Unexplained infertility

How to treat vitamin D deficiency?

Factors, such as age, metabolic health, and activity level influences ideal vitamin D intake.

There are 3 ways to increase vitamin D levels:

Taking vitamin D supplements. Supplements are readily available over the counter or may be prescribed by a doctor. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for most adults is 600 IU, for adults over 70, it is 800 IU, and for children under 12 months, it is 400 IU.

Consume foods that are rich in vitamin D. Good sources of vitamin D are, fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, as well as fish liver oils. Cheese, egg yolks, and beef liver contain small amounts of vitamin D. Milk and many cereals are fortified with vitamin D.

Get more natural sunlight: The risks of sun exposure might be bigger than the risks of vitamin D deficiency for people susceptible to sunburn, with a history of skin cancer, or with very ashen skin. They should consult a physician about whether they should spend more time in natural light or not.

How to prevent vitamin D deficiency?

·         Consuming vitamin D enriched foods and spending 15-20 minutes every day outdoors in sunlight are the best preventions for vitamin D deficiency.

·         Spending time in natural sunlight every day can help stop vitamin D deficiency.

·         Vitamin D supplement may also help, depending on a person’s health. It is best to consult your doctor before taking a supplement.

·         Exercising and maintaining a healthy body weight.

·         Regular medical checkup, especially, liver, gut, and kidney, and treating disorders relating to these organs.

·         Taking vitamin D supplements, this especially applies to breast-feeding infants.

·         Consulting a physician about any changes in health, especially presence of family history of osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency.

Read More

A rocky marriage may actually help men stave off diabetes

For men who are unhappily married, the findings of a new research will surely bring happy news. According to the study, men who are in a rocky marriage are less likely to develop diabetes compared with men who are happily married. The study also found if the unhappily married men develop diabetes, they do it later in life and their condition is better managed.

The study was led by Hui Liu, a Sociology professor at Michigan State University. Prof. Liu and colleagues wanted to find out if there’s a link between quality of marriage and the risk of developing diabetes. They also aimed to investigate how well the condition is managed after it develops in later life.

The researchers analyzed data from the first two waves of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP).

Biomeasures and survey responses gathered from interviews and self-reports in the NSHAP data covers many aspects of social life, aging, health, and relationship in older Americans living in communities. [Read more Drinking coffee daily may lead to a longer life, new study shows]

The data on a total of 1,228 married men and women aged 57-85 were included in the study. The first wave of survey was conducted between 2005 and 2006. When the researchers conducted the second wave survey between 2010 and 2011, 389 of the individuals developed diabetes.

The data collected were not exactly designed to evaluate marital quality, therefore, a statistical approach known as "factor analysis" was used in order to build marital quality scales (positive and negative) from related study items. For example, it included reports on participants’ contentment with present relationship, conduct with mate, intimacy, sexual contact, and inclination towards partner.
The researchers made some astonishing findings, when they collated the data with the information on diabetes that were collected from the married men and women.

The most surprising of these findings was that men in a rocky marriage were at lower risk of getting diabetes, and there condition was better managed once it was diagnosed.

Researchers believe this may be because diabetes is a disease that calls for constant and careful monitoring; continuous badgering from a spouse might improve a husband’s health condition just through effect on health behavior, although it may heighten marital tension over time.

And for women, the team discovered that it was a favorable marital quality that was associated with a lower risk of developing the condition.

And, why is that? Prof. Liu believes this could be because our female counterparts are more sensitive to the quality of marriage, therefore, a happy relationship may positively affect their health.

These results also prompt questions about how to construe positive and negative marital condition, and to what extent they may vary between the sexes.

Prof. Liu concludes:

“The study challenges the traditional assumption that negative marital quality is always detrimental to health. It also encourages family scholars to distinguish different sources and types of marital quality. Sometimes, nagging is caring.”

About relationships

In the U.S., it seems that couples are becoming unhappier by the day. More relationships are ending up in a rocky marriage than ever before. A 2014 survey by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago found that 60% of people reported being very happy in their relationship, which is down 5% from only 2 years earlier.

“Sexlessness is an inherent part of nearly all relationships, but a lot of couples don't have honest conversations about relationship problems until they're at a point of wanting to divorce,” says Chris Donaghue, Ph.D., a sex therapist and author of Sex Outside the Lines. “By then, it's too late.”

Our sex drive naturally declines when we’re with the same partner. This is down to the deep-rooted human nature; humans tend to get most sexually excited by newness and novelty.

“Monogamy is difficult,” says Donaghue. “Your sex drive doesn't care about socially constructed boundaries. You have to be willing to rock the boat early on in the relationship, talk about it every step of the way, and make adjustments.”

Read More

Chocolate may boost cognitive skills within hours

If you love chomping on a chocolate bar to get an energy boost, keep doing it and don’t let guilty feelings envelop you. A new study has revealed that chocolate not only boosts energy it may also improve your cognitive skills within a few hours of eating it.

A team of researchers from Italy found that flavanols, found in cocoa, enhances cognition such as memory, visual processing speed, and also help fight back different types of mental deteriorations, especially in older adults. The researchers also found that daily consumption of cocoa for a prolonged period of time may shield against cognitive impairment. [Read more Eating turmeric, red grapes, apple peels could help ‘starve’ prostate cancer cells]

The researchers attribute chocolate’s healthful benefits to cocoa bean, the main ingredient of chocolate and an abundant source of flavanols - a type of natural compounds known to possess neuroprotective effects.

Flavanols are a group of compounds found in cocoa, apples, tea, and a number of other plant-based foods and beverages.

A growing body of evidence suggest that a flavanol-rich diet can have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health.

Several previous studies also pointed to cocoa flavanols’ positive impact on cognitive health.

In this study, older adults who regularly consumed cocoa flavanols had improvements in cognition, attention, working memory, and visual processing speed. [Read more Drinking coffee daily may lead to a longer life, new study shows]

"This result suggests the potential of cocoa flavanols to protect cognition in vulnerable populations over time by improving cognitive performance," says Valentina Socci, of the University of L'Aquila in Italy.

Socci and colleagues recently published their review in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition. They discussed in detail what changes take place in your brain up to a few hours after you consume cocoa flavanols, and what happens when you continue such diet for an extended period of time?

Although a handful of randomized controlled trials have investigated the acute effect of cocoa flavanols, most of them suggest their favorable effect on cognitive performance. The participants, after consuming cocoa flavanols, displayed improvements in working memory performance and enhanced processing abilities of visual information. [Read more Extra virgin olive oil may prevent dementia and memory loss]

 

In women, after a night of complete sleep deprivation, cocoa was found to thwart the cognitive impairment they suffered due to sleeplessness. This brings promising results for people who suffer from chronic insomnia or work shifts.

Past studies have shown that there is a link between cocoa flavanol intake and better cognition. Those studies often adduced dark chocolate as the best source of flavanols.

For this new study, the researchers wanted to conduct a deeper probe into the cocoa flavanols’ benefits on brain. They sought to find out what particular cognitive functions are affected by flavanols and if the effects are immediate. To find answers to these questions, the team decided to conduct an in-depth review of existing studies which examined the cocoa flavanols’ effects on cognition.

Specifically, the researchers investigated how cocoa flavanols affect cognitive functioning over time and within hours of consumption. [Read more Coffee may lower risk of early death]

How chocolate may boost cognitive skills

The researchers brought to light evidence of an association between eating cocoa flavanols and almost immediate boosts in working memory. In one study, the team found young adults experienced memory enhancements only two hours after eating 773 milligrams of cocoa flavanols.

Another study showed that cocoa flavanol intake appeared to neutralize cognitive decline caused by a night of sleep deprivation.

The researchers found that the bulk of the studies investigating long-term effects of cocoa flavanol consumption on cognitive function were conducted on elderly adults. These adults showed improvement in their cognitive performance after daily consumption of cocoa flavanols (for a minimum of 5 days and up to 3 months). Largely affected were factors such as attention, working memory, processing speed, and verbal fluency. [Read more Top 10 Natural Foods to Boost Your Energy]

More surprising was the fact that these effects were strongest in elderly adults who already had mild cognitive impairment or other memory declines at the study onset.

"If you look at the underlying mechanism, the cocoa flavanols have beneficial effects for cardiovascular health and can increase cerebral blood volume in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus," they continue. "This structure is particularly affected by aging and therefore the potential source of age-related memory decline in humans,” say Socci and colleagues.

"Regular intake of cocoa and chocolate could indeed provide beneficial effects on cognitive functioning over time."

However, the researchers warn that people should avoid eating too much chocolate due to its high sugar and calorie count. Still, they say:

"Dark chocolate is a rich source of flavanols. So we always eat some dark chocolate. Every day."

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Drink green tea for a healthy heart, scientists suggest

 Many studies have suggested that you should drink green tea for a healthy heart. With its well-documented health benefits, green tea is more than just a refreshment. A great many studies in different parts of the world have investigated possible links between green tea and cardiovascular disease.

A recent study in Japan found that a few cups of green tea each day may lower the risk of heart disease or stroke.

The National Cancer Center in Japan reported on May, 2015 that a study of 90,000 adults aged 40-69 years suggests that regular consumption of green tea may lower the risk of dying from heart or cerebrovascular diseases. [Read more Regular coffee drinking may cut your liver cancer risk by half]

Tea - originating in China remains the most consumed beverage in the world after water. The history of tea dates back more than 4,000 years. The most important book on tea was written in China in 600 AD. The book titled Cha Jing (Tea Classic), written by Lu Yu remains an important document for an insight into the country which introduced tea to the world. In 1191, Zen priest Eisai wrote a book called Kissa Yojoki (Book of Tea). The book describes the shapes of tea plants, leaves and flowers, how regular consumption of green tea may affect five vital organs, and how to grow and process tea leaves. [প্রতিদিন কফি পান আপনাকে দীর্ঘদিন বেঁচে থাকতে সাহায্য করবে]

Why should you consume green tea for a healthy heart?

Green tea, according to legend, was first brewed in 2737 BC during the reign of Emperor Shennong. Made from Camellia sinensis leaves, green tea undergoes minimal oxidation during processing.

Population-based studies implies that green tea’s antioxidant properties may help prevent atherosclerosis – hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by plaque build-up.

Researchers believe green tea lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. They say drinking 3 cups of tea per day decreases the chance of heart attack by 11%. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would not allow green tea manufacturers to use labels claiming green tea reduces heard disease risk.

You should drink green tea for a healthy heart because, tests on animal and people have shown that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL (good cholesterol). In one population-based clinical study, it was found that men who drank green tea were more likely to have lower cholesterol compared to those who did not drink green tea. [Read more Drinking beet juice boosts muscle strength in heart failure patients]

Green tea mojito

 Results from a study done on animals suggest that polyphenols in green tea may prevent cholesterol from being absorbed in the intestine and aid the body in getting rid of cholesterol. Another small study involving male smokers showed that green tea significantly reduced LDL (bad cholesterol) in blood.

A Japanese study suggests that you should drink green tea for a healthy heart. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), in 2006, green tea consumption can lower mortality due to all causes, including cardiovascular disease.

The study conducted in Japan in 1994 followed 40,530 adults for 11 years.

The study found that those who drank at least 5 cups of green tea daily, lowered their risk of death from heart attack by 26% and lowered the risk of death from all causes by 16%, compared to those who drank less than a cup of green tea a day.

An apple a day and green tea for a healthy heart

Researchers from the Institute of Food Research (IFR), led by Dr. Paul Kroon found when green tea works in combination with apples, they produce unique amount of polyphenols, which blocks a signaling molecule called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). In our body, VEGF causes blood vessels to form a process called angiogenesis, which advances cancer. Angiogenesis is also responsible for causing atherosclerosis and ruptured plaques that lead to heart attack and stroke. They suggest, you eat apple and drink green tea for a healthy heart.

This was the first time researchers had been able to directly turn off VEGF using foods rich in polyphenols. By using low dosages of polyphenols from green tea and apples, they were able to completely stop VEGF from turning on. [Read more Drinking 5 cups of coffee a day lowers risk of early death]

What is heart failure and why should you take green tea for a healthy heart?

The coronary arteries in the heart provide heart muscles with the much needed supply of oxygen-rich blood. In people with coronary artery disease, fat, protein and calcium build-up within the arteries form plaques, which prevent blood from flowing properly.
Each year in the US, about 735,000 people have a heart attack and 610,000 people die of heart disease making it the leading cause of death in Americans. [Read more Is green tea really good for you?]
In the UK, there are approx. 124,000 heart attacks each year. Around 82,000 people die of heart disease mostly caused by heart attacks.
As part of a healthy lifestyle, drinking green tea daily may help keep our heart healthy. Countless population health studies conducted across the globe suggest we should regularly drink green tea for a healthy heart.

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