The Super Tea...

Super tea?  Well, yeah!  Green tea!  It should wear a cape and be able to fly, it's that super.  Green tea is known for it's numerous herbal and medicinal powers, founded by the Chinese over 4000 years ago.  It's the second most consumed beverage in the world, water being the first. 

Green tea contains one of the highest levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols.  These powerful antioxidants help to fight against free radicals.  Free radicals are considered to be responsible for damaging cells, DNA, and has been linked to even death.  The leaves are steamed to ensure the preservation of useful antioxidants, tannins and flavonoids.

Ready for the amazing benefits?  Get ready to be informed... Haha!

• The most popular benefit is it's ability to help boost your metabolism, burn calories, THUS losing weight if regularly consumed in addition to a healthy diet.  Reason being, those polyphenols I mentioned early produce extra heat in your body which makes you burn more calories than if you weren't to drink it... Also, green tea modifies how the body utilizes the hormone norepinephrine, which is responsible for increasing metabolism.  On average it can burn 100 extra calories if consumed 2-3 times daily. 
• Green tea is rich in Vitamin E which can stall the aging process... who wouldn't like that!?!
• Got a headache?  Drink some green tea.  Research (and the ancient Chinese culture) have proved that consuming green tea can reduce your chances of onset headaches.
• Energy and stamina is something we all want, but by mid-afternoon our body's are pooped!  To maintain a high level of energy and stamina, drink a cup of green tea.
• Green tea is a natural anti-inflammatory and has been used to help reduce inflammation.  It's commonly suggestion for those with IBD (irritable bowl disease) which includes Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis.
• It's also used for the regulation of diabetes.  Green tea helps to control blood sugar levels and slow the progression once developed.
• CANCER... The big "C."  Green teas has been proven to protect against certain types of cancer.  Researchers believe those powerful antioxidants, polyphenols, help kill cancerous cells and stop those cell from growing.
• Green tea has been contributed to lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL). 

The following is from http://www.umm.edu and indicates in detail certain cancers and the benefits received from regular consumption of GREEN TEA.

Bladder cancer. Only a few clinical studies have examined the relationship between bladder cancer and drinking tea. In one study that compared people with and without bladder cancer, researchers found that women who drank black tea and powdered green tea were less likely to develop bladder cancer. A follow-up clinical study by the same group of researchers revealed that people with bladder cancer -- particularly men -- who drank green tea had a better 5-year survival rate than those who did not.

Breast cancer. Clinical studies in animals and test tubes suggest that polyphenols in green tea inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. In one study of 472 women with various stages of breast cancer, researchers found that women who drank the most green tea had the least spread of cancer. It was especially true in premenopausal women in the early stages of breast cancer. They also found that women with early stages of the disease who drank at least 5 cups of tea every day before being diagnosed with cancer were less likely to have the cancer come back after they finished treatment. However, women with late stages of breast cancer had little or no improvement from drinking green tea.

There is no clear evidence one way or the other about green tea and breast cancer prevention. In one very large study, researchers found that drinking tea, green or any other type, was not associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. However, when the researchers broke down the sample by age, they found that women under the age of 50 who consumed 3 or more cups of tea per day were 37% less likely to develop breast cancer compared to women who didn't drink tea.

Ovarian cancer. In a clinical study done with ovarian cancer patients in China, researchers found that women who drank at least one cup of green tea per day lived longer with the disease than those who didn' t drink green tea. In fact, those who drank the most tea, lived the longest. But other studies found no beneficial effects.

Colorectal cancer. Clinical studies on the effects of green tea on colon or rectal cancer have showed conflicting results. Some studies show decreased risk in those who drink the tea, while others show increased risk. In one study, women who drank 5 or more cups of green tea per day had a lower risk of colorectal cancer compared to non-tea-drinkers. There was no protective effect for men, however. Other studies show that drinking tea regularly may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in women. More research is needed before researchers can recommend green tea for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Esophageal cancer. Studies in laboratory animals have found that green tea polyphenols inhibit the growth of esophageal cancer cells. However, studies in people have produced conflicting findings. For example, one large-scale population-based clinical study found that green tea offered protection against the development of esophageal cancer, particularly among women. Another population-based clinical study found just the opposite -- green tea consumption was associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. In fact, the stronger and hotter the tea, the greater the risk. Given these conflicting results, more research is needed before scientists can recommend green tea for the prevention of esophageal cancer.

Lung cancer. While green tea polyphenols

Pancreatic cancer. In one large-scale clinical study researchers compared green tea drinkers with non-drinkers and found that those who drank the most tea were less likely to develop pancreatic cancer. This was particularly true for women -- those who drank the most green tea were half as likely to develop pancreatic cancer as those who drank less tea. Men who drank the most tea were 37% less likely to develop pancreatic cancer.

However, it is not clear from this population-based study whether green tea is solely responsible for lowering pancreatic cancer risk. More studies in animals and people are needed before researchers can recommend green tea for the prevention of pancreatic cancer.

Prostate cancer. Laboratory studies have found that green tea extracts prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells in test tubes. In a large clinical study in Southeast China researchers found that the risk of prostate cancer went down with increasing frequency, duration and quantity of green tea consumption. However, both green and black tea extracts also stimulated genes that cause cells to be less sensitive to chemotherapy drugs. People who are undergoing chemotherapy should ask their doctors before drinking green or black tea, or taking tea supplements.

Skin cancer. The main polyphenol in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Scientific studies suggest that EGCG and green tea polyphenols have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that may help prevent the development and growth of skin tumors.

Stomach cancer. Laboratory studies have found that green tea polyphenols inhibit the growth of stomach cancer cells in test tubes, but studies in people have been less conclusive. In two studies that compared green tea drinkers with non-drinkers, researchers found that people who drank tea were about half as likely to develop stomach cancer and stomach inflammation as those who did not drink green tea. However, a clinical study with more than 26,000 men and women in Japan found no association between green tea and stomach cancer risk. Some studies even suggest that green tea may increase the risk of stomach cancer.

More clinical studies are underway to see whether green tea helps reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

DRINK TWO - THREE CUPS DAILY!

Beautiful Skin via Eating Well

Eating good, clean foods are not just beneficial for your physique.  Your skin can also benefit from it, as well!  It's amazing that so many foods can help reduce wrinkles, improve your skin's luminosity and radiance, and help to prevent acne.  I've been doing some research and have found that there are some great eats out there!  You should definitely include these skin-tastic foods in your daily food intake... So, without further or do, the Skin-tastic Foods you've been on the edge of your seat waiting for...

Those pesky wrinkles, crow's feet, smile lines, sun damage; all suck!  We know this.  To prevent from the inside out try these tricks:

• Eat more PEPPERS!  Studies show that woman who eat yellow, orange, and green veggies tend to have less wrinkles around the eye.  Peppers are a great way to get your colors in your diet!  Try sprinkling some julienned green and yellow peppers in a salad!  Or saute some peppers with your zucchini.  Or saute with some onions and turkey sausage for a zesty dinner!  Mmm, hungry yet?!
• GREEK YOGURT time!  Eating dairy proteins can help make your skin firmer.  No joke!  And, Greek yogurt has double or more amounts of protein than normal yogurt and less sugar... especially the nonfat\, plain version.  How can you eat this rather plain food?  Make a protein shake!  Add 1 cup nonfat, plain Greek yogurt + 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries + 1 banana + 1 orange (juiced!!!).  Add to blender.  Blend until smooth.  Then drink!  Or add some to your salad with some EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), Balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper... viola!  Greek dressing!  Or simply add 1 tsp - 1 tbsp of honey (to your sweetness meter's delight) to the yogurt.
• This breakfast item can definitely help you look younger... OATMEAL!  I use steel cut because it is less processed and Bob's Red Mill makes an amazing version of this!  Oatmeal takes longer to breakdown in your body than other breakfast items which helps to keep your insulin levels stable; otherwise elevated insulin levels can release androgens which are hormones that are contributed to wrinkles.  And, us woman know that this is NO GOOD... so get a bowl in at least twice or three times a week.  Plus, oatmeal has been proven to lower your cholesterol.  A two for oner! 
• Get the water boiling because GREEN TEA treats inflammation and helps to calm redness when topically applied.  When ingested, it does that same thing!  Plus, it has a very powerful polyphenol antioxidant (ECGG) which has been PROVEN to reduce redness.  Awesome!  Best way to get this in your diet, drink at least 1 cup every day. 
• Another power polyphenol POMEGRANATES help to regulate blood flow and fight free radicals (like your previously mentioned friend, Green Tea).  You can eat them or try pomegranate juice, about two or three glasses of day is sufficient enough.  When topically applied it can be an excellent moisturizer and line smoother! 
• WALNUT time!  Eat more walnuts!  Walnuts can improve your skin's elasticity due to it;s omega-3 fatty acids.  Walnuts also contain copper; a mineral proven to boost collagen production.  So, improve your skin's texture by eating a handful a day (approx. 10-15 pieces). 
• For you SUNFLOWER SEED lovers, go for it!  Sunflowers seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin E!  Eating them can help protect your skin's top layers (epidermis) due to its high content of essential-fatty-acids!  Eat a handful a day... and topically, sunflower seed oil can treat dry areas of your body.  Aim for your elbows, knees, heals, even lips! 
• EDAMAME!  SOY MILK!  SOY LATTES!  Soy, soy, soy!  Soy is known to help people maintain a clearer complexion, according to studies.  Soy beans have been proven to lessen hyperpigmentation (which is the darkening of your skin).  Eat a cup a day to see best results.  So, however you want to consume it, do it!  It definitely can help reduce sun spots when topically applied.  I eat edamame all the time and Trader Joe's has a few different varieties.  All of which are delicious and can satisfy your soy needs. 
• This next food you are probably already how great it is to eat!  DARK CHOCOLATE!  I love dark chocolate.  It goes well with orange slices, raspberries, yogurt, low-fat ice cream or forzen yogurt, or even by its lonesome.  Eating a couple squares of this delight can help hydrate your skin.  By hydrating your skin you will actually help to make it firmer!  Now, who doesn't want firmer skin!?!  The percentage of cacao you should aim for is 70% or more to get the most flavonol content possible.  Flavonol is are part of the flavonoid group of phytonutrients (a group of chemical compounds naturally occurring in plants.  They have many health benefits).  Eat up ladies and gents!
• Ok, last but not least get rid of those pesky pimples by eating KIDNEY BEANS!  Kidney beans contain high levels of zinc.  Low level of zinc can cause blemishes, according to studies.  For every ounce of kidney beans you eat, you are helping your face stear clear of those pesky pimples.  You can eat them alone or toss them in a salad or a wrap.  Go for the dark red as they have higher levels of antioxidants. 

Those were just a few great eats.  You can snack on  most of these and include everything in a recipe some how, so way!  Cheers to good, clean food!  Print this out for a handy dandy guide... or pass it on.