Rejuvalife Vitality Institute
Beverly Hills CA

The Power Behind A Protein Packed Breakfast

We all know that breakfast is “the most important meal of the day” but did you know that the quality of your breakfast can also make a big impact on your hunger levels for remainder of the day.  If your idea of breakfast is a bowl of Cheerios, a cup of fruit, or a bagel you may find yourself hungry later in the day and therefore, unable lose weight. 

According to new research from the University of Missouri, protein may be magic ingredient to ward off hunger and manage your weight.

Researcher, Heather Leidy from the University of Missouri has found that eating a healthy breakfast, especially one high in protein, increases satiety and reduces hunger throughout the day. In addition, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) the researchers found that eating a protein-rich breakfast reduces the brain signals controlling food motivation and reward-driven eating behavior.

In the study, Leidy assessed physiological hunger and satiety by measuring perceived appetite sensations and hormonal markers in combination with psychological reward-driven motivation to eat, using fMRI to identify brain activation in specific regions related to food motivation and reward.

The researchers decided to target ‘breakfast-skipping’ teens for two reasons, Leidy said. First, breakfast skipping has been strongly associated with unhealthy snacking, overeating (especially at night), weight gain and obesity. Second, approximately 60 percent of adolescents skip breakfast on a daily basis.

For three weeks, the teens either continued to skip breakfast or consumed 500-calorie breakfast meals containing cereal and milk (which contained normal quantities of protein) or higher protein meals prepared as Belgium waffles, syrup and yogurt. At the end of each week, the volunteers completed appetite and satiety questionnaires. Right before lunch, the volunteers completed a brain scan, using fMRI, to identify brain activation responses.

Both breakfast meals led to increased fullness and reduced the level of hunger throughout the morning, when compared to those who skipped breakfast.  fMRI results showed that brain activation in regions controlling food motivation and reward was reduced prior to lunch time when breakfast was consumed in the morning.  The higher protien breakfast led to even greater changes in appetite, satiety and reward-driven eating behavior compared to the normal protein breakfast.

“Incorporating a healthy breakfast containing protein-rich foods can be a simple strategy for people to stay satisfied longer, and therefore, be less prone to snacking,” Leidy said. “People reach for convenient snack foods to satisfy their hunger between meals, but these foods are almost always high in sugar and fat and add a substantial amount of calories to the diet. These findings suggest that a protein-rich breakfast might be an effective strategy to improve appetite control and prevent overeating in young people.”

Start your morning with two eggs or egg whites on whole grain toast, Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and unsweetened coconut, oatmeal with chopped nuts and fresh berries, or a fruit/veggie smoothie with hemp protein and flax.  Aim for at least 15-20 grams of protein and 5-10 grams of fiber to kick start your day and keep you satisfied until lunch time.

Heather J. Leidy, Rebecca J. Lepping, Cary R. Savage, Corey T. Harris.” Neural Responses to Visual Food Stimuli After a Normal vs. Higher Protein Breakfast in Breakfast-Skipping Teens: A Pilot fMRI Study.”  Obesity, 5 May 2011.

Walnuts Are The New Almond

Omega-3 Promotes Muscle Production

There is new research that links Omega-3 fatty acids to muscle production.  As we age, our muscle mass slowly decreases, often causing Sarcopenia. This condition strongly influences muscle strength and mobility and is a factor in the occurrence of frailty and likelihood of falls and fractures in the elderly.   Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids stimulate protein anabolism in animals, and therefore aid in the treatment of Sarcopenia.  However, the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on human protein metabolism is unknown.  Bettina Mittendorfer, PhD, from Washington University School of Medicine (Missouri, USA), and colleagues studied 16 healthy adults, average age 71 years, and an average BMI of 25.65 kg/m2, assigning each to receive either omega-3s (providing provided a daily dose of 1.86 grams of EPA [eicosapentaenoic acid] and 1.5 grams of DHA [docosahexaenoic acid]), or corn oil (placebo) for eight weeks.  In conclusion, the researchers found that the omega-3 fatty acid supplementation increased the rate of muscle protein synthesis associated and increased the supply of amino acids and insulin. The team concludes that: “Omega-3 fatty acids stimulate muscle protein synthesis in older adults and may be useful for the prevention and treatment of Sarcopenia.”

What are Omega Fatty Acids?   Like vitamins and minerals, there are two types of fats that our bodies are unable to produce and therefore must be eaten or supplemented. These “essential” fats are known as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in nuts,  poultry, avocado, and in an array of oils making it easy to consume daily.  Omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand, are much more difficult to find.  Flax seed oil and fish oil are the two richest sources, with Salmon rating the highest.

Omega-3 fats promote numerous health benefits to the body. Studies show consuming adequate omega-3 fats can enhance good cholesterol, keep blood thin to prevent clotting, decrease blood pressure, increase mood, enhance nerve function, improve healing, cushion joints, decrease inflammation, reduce cancer risk, and  even promote muscle production.

If you don’t like eating fish, or simply can’t get enough in your regular diet; other options include fish oil supplements, hemp oil, hemp seeds,  flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts, canola oil, soybeans and soybean oil. However, similar to supplements, the evidence of heart-healthy benefits from eating these foods isn’t as strong as it is from eating fish.

Eat A Healthy Dinner Tonight

Wondering what to have for dinner tonight?

Well, we’re here to save you some time.  Not only is this meal healthy and nutritious, but you can whip it up in 20 minutes and it’s extraordinarily delicious.  Sound good?

Tonight’s Meal: Salmon w/ a Mustard, Dill Sauce with  Warm Asparagus Salad and Instant Brown Rice.

Warm Asparagus Salad 

Not only is it an excellent source of health-promoting vitamins A, C, and E, but it provides 16% of your Daily Value for folate. Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
½ small onion, cut in half and sliced thin
2 TBS light vinegar (rice, apple cider, or white wine)
1 cup hot water
1 bunch asparagus
3 TBS low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
7½ oz jar of roasted red bell peppers, drained and slivered (or 2 medium red bell peppers, sliced thin)
1 TBS balsamic vinegar
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Slice onion and place in a small bowl with vinegar and hot water while preparing rest of the ingredients.
2. Heat 3 TBS broth over medium heat in a stainless steel skillet.
3. While broth is heating, snap off the woody bottom of asparagus stems, then cut the spears into 2-inch lengths. Cutting them into short pieces of equal length ensures quick, even cooking.
4. When broth begins to steam, add asparagus. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. The outside will be tender and the inside will be crisp. Thinner spears will take about 3 minutes.
5. After about 10 minutes, remove onion from hot water and squeeze dry.
6. Mix together roasted peppers with marinated onion, asparagus, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Marinate for 4-5 minutes and serve warm.Optional: If you use fresh red bell peppers, Healthy Sauté them for 7 minutes and toss with rest of ingredients in place of roasted peppers.  Serves 4  

15-Minute Salmon with Mustard, Dill Sauce

Scientific research continues to discover the importance of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids for optimal health. Salmon is one of the best food sources for both of these hard-to-find health-promoting essential nutrients.  But stick to Wild Salmon which has much higher amount of omega-3 fatty acids.  Its also low in calories and saturated fat, yet high in protein and an excellent source of selenium, niacin and vitamin B12.  One serving of this recipe provides over 100% for both vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1/1/2 lbs salmon filet cut into 4 pieces, skin and bones removed
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
2 medium garlic cloves, pressed
1 TBS Dijon mustard
2 TBS fresh lemon juice
¼ cup chicken broth
1 tsp honey
1 tsp chopped fresh dill
salt and white pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat broiler on high and place an all stainless steel skillet (be sure the handle is also stainless steel) or cast iron pan under the heat for about 10 minutes to get it very hot. The pan should be 5 to 7 inches from the heat source.
2. Press garlic and let it sit for at least 5 minutes to bring out its health-promoting properties.
3. Rub salmon with 1 TBS fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper. (You can Quick Broil with the skin on; it just takes a minute or two longer. The skin will peel right off after cooking.)
4. Using a hot pad, pull pan away from heat and place salmon on hot pan. Return to broiler. Keep in mind that it is cooking rapidly on both sides so it will be done very quickly (7 minutes per inch of thickness). Test with a fork for doneness. It will flake easily when it is cooked. Salmon is best when it is still pink inside.
5. To make the sauce, add garlic to a stainless steel skillet and stir for half a minute. Add mustard, lemon juice, broth, honey, salt and pepper. Cook on high heat for a minute to reduce slightly and then add dill. Pour over salmon and serve.  Serves 4

**Healthy Cooking Tips:

When cooking with fresh herbs, add at the end of cooking to retain maximum flavor.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Why should we eat at least an apple a day? Not only because it is so refreshing and delicious, but also because it is laden with vitamins and nutrients that preserve our health and help our body

fight and prevent multiple disorders and diseases.
There are people that give away the skin of the apple, eating only the flesh, but this is a wrong thing to do, as specialists claim that the yellow, green or red skin is definitely the most nutritious.

4 milligrams of quercetin are usually found in an apple’s skin and this is the major curative substance in these fruits. Quercetin is a very strong antioxidant of the flavonoids group that, besides apples, is also present in onions, wine, teas, raspberries, red grapes, oranges, lemons, cherries, green vegetables, blue-green algae and many other foods. It does not only protect against free radicals that oxidize the cells, but also block carcinogen agents in the environment, slows the development and spreading of cancer cells in our body etc.

By inhibiting the producing and releasing of histamine and other allergic or inflammatory agents, quercetin is one of the main anti-inflammatory substances in the body, preventing and curing even very severe allergies or inflammations.

Along with polyphenol antioxidants ( lutein, lycopene, carotene, anthocyanin), flavonoids are also known as phytonutrients, as they enhance the good functioning of the immune system, fighting directly against and removing bacteria and viruses from the environment and the body.

The apples also contain two types of fibers, the insoluble fiber and the soluble one, both very beneficial for our health.

The insoluble fiber is known as roughage or dietary fiber, as it cannot be digested by the enzymes in our bodies and helps us lose weight by giving the sensation of having a full stomach, of having eaten enough. Also found in the skin of the apple, the insoluble fiber is a great remedy against constipation because it helps digestion and prevents other related disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis disease that may lead to colon cancer, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, hiatus hernia, gallstones etc.

The soluble fibers in the apples have opposite effects as compared to the insoluble ones, as they are very helpful in treating diarrhea. These fibers are gel-like natural substances that help reduce cholesterol and therefore prevent the risk of heart and vascular diseases.

One of the most known and beneficial soluble fibers in apples is pectin. Besides lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, pectin is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent.

Eating apples is also beneficial for eyes and visual ability, preventing and curing cataracts, for lung function and respiratory disorders like asthma or bronchitis, for prostates and almost any type pf cancer.
Reported Health Benefits of Apple :
Apple is a rich source of flavonoid and polyphenols both are powerful antioxidant.
Study shown that by eating 100g of apple can give an antioxidant effect that equal to taking about 1,500mg of vitamin C.
Apple contain a large amount of minerals and vitamins that can strengthen the blood.
Apple contain malic acid and tartaric acid, that can help prevent disturbances of the liver and digestion.
Apple cider vinegar when used as beverage can help to prevent the formation of kidney stone.
The skin of Apple contain pectin that can help remove toxic substances from the system by supplying galacturonic acid. Pectin helps prevent protein matter in the intestine from spoiling.
Eating an apple daily can lower cholesterol and reduce skin diseases.
Apples have been recommended for : Obesity, Headache, Arthritis, Bronchial asthma, Inflammation of the bladder, Gonorrhea, Anemia, Tuberculosis, Neuritis, Insomnia, Catarrh, Gallbladder stones, Worms, Halithosis, Pyorrhea
Nutritive Values : Per 100 grams
Vitamin A : 900 I.U.
Vitamin B : Thiamine .07 mg.;
Vitamin C : 5 mg.
Vitamin G : Amount uncertain
Calcium : 6 mg.
Iron : 3 mg.
Phosphorus : 10 mg.
Potassium : 130 mg.
Carbohydrates : 14.9 gm.
Calories : 58
Apples could protect against Alzheimer’s, Parkinsonism, Cornell studies find
A group of chemicals in apples could protect the brain from the type of damage that triggers such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s and Parkinsonism, according to two new studies from Cornell University food scientists. The studies show that the chemical quercetin, a so-called phytonutrient, appears to be largely responsible for protecting rat brain cells when assaulted by oxidative stress in laboratory tests.
Phytonutrients, such as phenolic acids and flavanoids, protect the apple against bacteria, viruses and fungi and provide the fruit’s anti-oxidant and anti-cancer benefits.
Quercetin is a major flavanoid in apples. Antioxidants help prevent cancer by mopping up cell-damaging free radicals and inhibiting the production of reactive substances that could damage normal cells.

So eat an apple a day, it’s good for you!

Being good is great

The biblical aphorism that it is better to give than to receive seems particularly apt this time of year, though the truest gift of all – the gift of one’s self – is all the more challenging as the holiday season places more demands on our time. But it is worth considering volunteerism in a broader context, and as with the subject of gratitude (see my post from November 12), there is a body of research literature documenting health benefits to those who volunteer in their communities, especially in later life. The notion of greater benefits to the giver than the receiver is indeed supported by scientific research.

Data from a project known as the Health and Retirement Study at the University of Massachusetts indicate that older adults who volunteer have lower rates of hypertension, a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. The threshold for this effect appeared to be fairly low, so that even a small time commitment to giving time in community volunteerism conferred the benefit. It was not clear however what mediated the effect, though the researchers found it was not tied to known psychosocial and behavioral risk factors; simply the act of participating was enough.

Benefits from volunteerism are not limited to blood pressure moderation. A recent review found positives in terms of both physical and mental health, leading to lower overall mortality, lower rates of depression, and higher self-rated health scores across the board.

What’s more, even older people with functional limitations experience improvements in several measures by volunteer activities, according to a study from Arizona State University. Looking at more than 900 non-institutionalized individuals with functional disabilities over age 65, the researchers found that volunteering significantly correlated with longevity, with the highest risk of dying in the non-volunteers. They interpreted this to mean that “volunteering buffers the association between functional limitations and mortality.” In other words, it’s more than just feeling useful, though exactly how it translates to physical health improvement remains to be fully defined.

Is volunteering really a matter of life and death? Maybe so.  But most people do so out of a sense of altruism, and a desire to remain engaged in their communities, not out of an expectation of personal gain. What is especially encouraging I think is that even the smallest efforts can reap big gains, including – and perhaps especially – for those with limitations. Oscar Wilde had it right when he wrote “The smallest act of kindness is worth than the grandest intention

Sleep and your health!

One of the leading health problems today is sleep deprivation effects. On average, we sleep 2 hours less than 100 years ago, and we are just not designed to function like that. In our over stimulated and time poor world, we tend to cut out sleep time to carry out other tasks.

Inadequate sleep can show up in many ways you might not think of, like weakened immune system, impaired thinking abilities, and increased stress levels. Some people may be fine on 5 hours of sleep but most of us need at least 6-8 hours every day.

When we party all night, or stay up with a sick child, we expect to feel at least a bit awful the next day. We know that if we need to drive a long way or do a task requiring major accuracy and focus that staying up late isn’t a good idea. What we don’t usually consider though is the cumulative effect of that 2 hours less a night. Chronic sleep deprivation builds up a major sleep debt your body can’t continue to pay.

The Stress / Sleep Deprivation Merry go round

Excess cortisol from chronic stress lowers our ability to sleep deeply. Inadequate quality sleep then increases cortisol making it increasingly difficult to deal with stress

Sleep Deprivation Effects and Risks

While one of the most obvious sleep deprivation effects is fatigue, it can more commonly affect your metabolism, resulting in weight gain. Other consequences include increasing the risk of diabetes, and hypertension. Because our immune system needs deep slow wave sleep when we don’t get enough, we may be more likely to get sick. Inadequate rest can harm our health, career, relationships and overall well-being.

Obesity and weight gain

The hormones Leptin and Grehlin control appetite and weight gain and loss. Leptin signals that we are full, while Grehlin increases appetite. Sleep deprivation cause overall levels of Grehlin to increase along with appetite, especially for refined carbohydrates. Levels of Leptin decrease, so we don’t feel satisfied after eating either.

One of the most dastardly sleep deprivation effects is the increase in cortisol (stress hormone) which reduces muscle mass. Losing muscle mass is your worst weight loss nightmare because metabolism slows down.

Depression

Fatigue and hormonal disruption can lead to feeling sad, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy and pulling away from other people.

Anxiety

Sleep deprivation can trigger fears and even panic attacks.

Coronary heart disease and hypertension

Excess cortisol and insulin have devastating effects on blood triglycerides.

Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Increased cortisol (stress to body from not sleeping) goes hand in hand with increased insulin, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and its increased health risks.

Memory

The hippocampus enables us to store and organize memories – essential for retaining new information. Excess cortisol from stress and insufficient sleep interferes with this process. The hippocampus can actually shrink. Fatigue also interferes with our short-term memory by reducing the number of information chunks we can deal with.

Cognitive performance and alertness

Without enough sleep, we are not able to think properly and our brain reacts to any issue slowly. Our brains have to work harder to make up for a general lack of alertness. By reducing the brain’s ability to link events and actions with emotion, lack of sleep can bring on an array of psychiatric conditions including psychosis and memory loss. Mental fatigue leads to poor decision making and impaired problem-solving skills. Your relationships and performance at work can suffer as a result.

Accidents

Drowsiness can make you more accident-prone. Physical fatigue will make your response times slower – dangerous while you’re driving a vehicle or operating machinery.

Immune function and overall health

Sleep deprivation and associated elevated cortisol suppresses our immune system and can kill off thymus cells (protect against viruses and tumor cells). We catch cold bugs and flu more easily and open ourselves up to other health risks.

Premature Aging

One study found that sleeping less than 4 hours per night was associated with a 2.8 times higher rate of mortality for men and a 1.5 times higher rate for women. Making length of sleep time a better predictor of mortality than smoking, cardiac disease, or hypertension. We produce HGH (growth hormone that keeps us youthful) in deep sleep stages. If we don’t get quality sleep, we don’t make HGH.

So with that in mind, get some sleep. It’s good for you!

Smart Supplements for a better memory

It is becoming increasingly popular to take supplements containing herbs and vitamins for better memory and longer life.

Not only are well known traditional remedies for specific aging problems being used, but there is a lot of investigation and research being carried out in Asia and Europe on the natural and herbal remedies of yesteryear.

There have been several new remedies suggested over recent years for short and longer term loss of memory, and most of these are also recommended to improve intelligence and mental capability. The so-called ‘smart pill’ ginkgo biloba is a case in point, and this plant is under constant investigation with regard to its effect on Alzheimer’s sufferers.

KAVA KAVA

The number of different herbs and plants, and the type of chemicals they contain, is massive, including various nutrients, antioxidants, hormones, enzymes and amino acids. The list of herbs under investigation is almost unlimited, though you have to be careful with some of them. Kava kava, for instance, helps stress and anxiety, and has been shown to have a positive effect in suppressing the growth of cancer cells.

For other reasons, however, it is banned for sale in parts of Europe, including England, though the reasons for this are currently under review. It is commonly used throughout the Pacific for its soporific effect, but can cause skin and other problems if overused. Where it can be purchased, however, its use is thought to prevent the onset of some cancers including leukemia.

GINKGO BILOBA

The real mind boosting herbs and supplements are those that claim to boost the memory, cure memory loss and treat Alzheimer’s disease. The queen of them all is probably ginkgo biloba, studies on which have provided evidence that it can be beneficial in improving the brain and memory function in early stage Alzheimer’s, and in age-related cognitive decline (ARCD). It is also believed to help in cases of certain types of glaucoma. These benefits might be due to the effect is has of increasing the circulation of the blood to the brain.

Ginkgo is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect the central nervous system from the effects of aging, and protect the cardiovascular system through the destruction of free radicals in the blood. Free radicals can be responsible for mental deterioration and dementia in the elderly. Gingko biloba contains a number of different active antioxidants and chemicals that improve blood circulation to the brain.

COENZYME Q10

It is not only the ancient remedies that are being found to have a scientific reason for their effectiveness in treating specific conditions, and Coenzyme Q10 is one of the relatively newer additions to nature’s arsenal. This substance is contained in every cell in the body, and it has been found to provide protection to the brain from Parkinson’s disease and other conditions that cause degeneration of the brain cells. This can help to improve memory, and reduce the effects of aging, though it does not relieve any existing Parkinson’s symptoms.

Studies into the effects of Coenzyme Q10 are still under way, and it has been shown to be a strong antioxidant. It is also believed to reduce high blood pressure though this is still under review, and studies into the potential uses of the supplement are continuing.

BILBERRY

Although used extensively over the ages for a large number of ailments, bilberry is generally regarded by experts as being another strong antioxidant. In fact most supplements that have an anti-aging effect appear to be antioxidants. This is because aging is closely associated with the presence of free radicals in the blood, and even the traditional antioxidants vitamins C and E can have an anti-aging effect on the body.

Bilberry has been used for the treatment of arteriosclerosis and various eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts, and is commonly available. It contains flavonoids that can reduce the risk of blood clots, and hence of strokes and heart attacks. Although many of the medicinal properties claimed have yet to proved, bilberry is widely used as an herbal supplement.

PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is also high in antioxidants, and it is considered by the Chinese to stimulate the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The effect of increased insulin levels is to reduce the sugar levels in the blood, and reduce oxidation damage to certain cells in the body. It is being regarded as a possible natural treatment for diabetes that should reduce sugar imbalances and therefore have an anti-aging effect.

DHA

DHA is dicosahexaenoic acid, otherwise known as DHA, and is found predominantly in fish oils. Trials are currently under way with this material on humans in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease where it appears to reduce the formation of plaques in the brain. DHA used be found in cattle and eggs, but this has reduced considerably due to cattle being taken off grass some time before slaughter and there is less DHA in factory eggs.

The synthetic supplement is synthesized from beet though is more expensive than the marine source. This supplement is also effective in those that suffer from heart disease.

There are many other natural supplements that have an anti-aging effect or that improve the memory. Most work by means of their antioxidant content, and there are new studies being carried out continually throughout the world. China is a rich source of such remedies, and as that country opens up more will be known about the scientific basis behind their pharmaceutical applications.

There is little doubt that the use of herbs and vitamins for better memory and longer life has a strong scientific basis, and that we still have a great deal to learn about the remedies used before the introduction of mass produced pharmaceuticals.

Red wine and longevity!

Why Red Wine?:

The benefits of red wine (in moderation) for health have been known for ages. In an effort to understand the ‘French Paradox’ (why French people can indulge in fatty foods but not develop heart disease) red wine came into focus in 1991 on an episode of ’60 Minutes’. Since then, scientists have been feeding components of red wine to mice and other animals in an attempt to understand the full health benefits. Here’s what we know so far:

Flavanoids and Antioxidants:

Red wine is high in flavonoids (a type of polyphenol), which are antioxidants. One of the most studied antioxidants is resveratrol, which comes from grape skins and seeds. Antioxidants help prevent certain molecules, known as free radicals, from damaging cells.

Does red wine prevent cancer?:

Resveratrol helps prevent cancer by limiting tumor growth.

How much should I drink?:

To receive the benefits of red wine, it must be drunk in moderation (1-2 glasses maximum per day) and regularly.

Does the alcohol help?:

The alcohol in wine may help produce more good cholesterol.

What if I am a yeast cell?:

Good news: Research in yeast cells has shown that red wine can increase life span by 80%.

But can it cure the common cold?:

Red wine has also been shown to help prevent the common cold.

Red wine and French fries:

Red wine, when consumed with fried foods, may limit the damage caused.

Conclusion:

Hundreds of studies show evidence that red wine, in moderation, is good for us. So go ahead and enjoy a glass with dinner.

The Beauty Benefits of Green Tea?

Green Tea

Green tea is now the preferred drink of supermodels, but is it really any better for you than a good, old-fashioned cuppa?

Clinical evidence suggests that green tea is packed with health and beauty benefits that you can enjoy whether drinking it or applying directly to your skin. Even the leaves can be used as a gentle exfoliant, guaranteed to give your skin a healthy glow.

Recent research shows that green tea extract is naturally rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from free radicals – naturally occurring particles in the body associated with accelerated ageing and an increased risk of major diseases. Exposure to pollution, smoking and excess sunlight increases the number of free radicals in the blood, but the potent antioxidants found in green tea add strong weight to the belief that green tea not only promotes good health but also makes you look younger.

• Beauty Benefits
• Soothing Spritzer
• Mighty Mouth
• Refreshing Face Mask
• Lose Weight

Beauty benefits
Traditionally, many types of make-up, lotions, creams and beauty preparations have used chemical antioxidants, or vitamins A, C and E as preservatives for their products. Now, with research indicating that green tea has even more antioxidant properties than these powerful vitamins, there is a surge in products capitalizing on its natural benefits.

You don’t need to rush to the chemist to stock up on goodies. Concentrated green tea extract is simple to make at home and is a flexible addition to both your daily beauty routine and your medicine cabinet.

Soothing spritzer
Simply steep 100g of green tea in half a litre of still mineral water at room temperature for at least one hour. Strain the liquor and it’s ready to use! It’s better to make small quantities and use it fresh but surplus liquid can be poured into clean, sterilized bottles and refrigerated.

The liquid can be used as a spritzer, to freshen up the face, or cotton pads soaked in it can be particularly soothing for tired or strained eyes. It has antiseptic properties, so can be used to treat minor cuts and rashes, and is surprisingly effective when applied to spots and blemishes. It can even be used as a treatment for sunburn – soak a cloth in the liquid and leave on the skin until the area begins to cool