Green tea, like black tea is made from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. The difference between the three main types of tea is the way that they are produced. Green tea is unfermented tea meaning that the leaves used for green tea are steamed soon after been plucked in order to prevent the oxidation of the leaves. In this way the leaves remain green and the active substances within the leaves retain their qualities.Green tea has been proven to shrink tumors and extend the lifespan of those with dire physical ailments. It has been scientifically proven to kill cancer cells.Lowers “bad” cholesterol (known as LDL) and improves the ratio of “good” cholesterol (known as HDL). It explains why tea-drinkers can eat almost twice the foods containing cholesterol as those who don’t drink green tea, but still have an equal cholesterol count.The death rate from cancer is known to be significantly lower for both women & men in Japan. Why is this you may ask? As much as 5-6 cups daily are consumed in areas that produce green tea, making it the main beverage to drink. This suggests that the main ingredients of green tea (tannin, catechin); in sufficient amounts lower the standard mortality rates for stomach cancer.Green Tea is the #1 source of polyphenols, chemical compounds found in fruits and vegetables. These extremely high levels of polyphenols deliver green tea’s unique results in several ways. Just one example is a subgroup of polyphenols, exclusive to green tea, called catechins. EGCG, the most abundant and powerful of green tea’s 5 main catechins, is dubbed the ’super antioxidant’ because it is 200 times more powerful than the popular antioxidant vitamin E. This super antioxidant eliminates free radicals, the unstable molecules in the body that are the major cause of both aging and disease, which are continually attacking the body. Unfortunately, polyphenols have a quick life span (short half life) of about 3 hours, thus the scientific reason behind researchers’ recommendation to drink green tea a minimum of 8 times a day.Green tea, and more recently green tea extracts, have been used for centuries as not only a beverage, but as a medicine as well. Practitioners of natural healing and medicines have long expressed a belief in several health benefits of green tea. Green Tea Extract [Immune System, Circulatory System] contains catechins, a type of polyphenol with powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.Green tea has been proven to reduce cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides. It can even prove beneficial for those who wish to increase their HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. A boost in the immune system, as well as weight loss, has been seen in those who drink green tea on a regular basis. Green tea also provides anti-cancer agents that can also be found in black tea.Cholesterol, triglycerides, the protein apoB in LDLs, are words dreaded by humans of the modern age. This new century is expected to become the century of medical miracles, the green tea, lowly as it may sound looks very promising as several researches have shown. This could be the decade of green tea and cholesterol.

Over all general good health is determined by the amount of water and antioxidants you consume. Your skin will show signs of poor health that can be immediately improved by drinking enough water and eating antioxidant rich foods. If your skin is dry, cracked and riddled with lines it is and indication your body is dehydrated and your internal organs are suffering.

Skin and internal organs are affected by water consumption. Water is vital to the look, texture, function and health of all organs but we can see the need on the skin. Without water, nothing would be energized. Our DNA would be damaged, our immune system would not work properly, toxins would build up in our body, and all of our cells would dry up, leaving us dehydrated. It is essential that our body receive an adequate amount of water each day. Water is an important part of the hydro-lipidic layer on top of the skin that acts like a barrier against internal water loss. It also protects the skin from elements that try to harm our body daily, like bacteria, pollutants, and UV radiation.

The visible signs on the skin help us know we are over due in water needs. Our skin will become dry, irritated, sensitive, blotchy, tight, cracked and dull if we do not drink enough water. Keeping the cells lubricated and hydrated starts with keeping water ccontent of the skin high. This is needed for the skin cells an cells in all organs to be plump, nourished, and to the skin, young-looking. Water also helps maintain a clear complexion. Indigestion, constipation, or any other type of metabolic problem causes blemishes on the skin, also acne breakouts, lines, irritation, eczema and other skin problems. When we drink enough water, the skin acts like our third kidney, filtering out impurities, removing them from the body leaving our skin clear and healthy. Collagen and elastin in the skin must have moisture. Without water, these fibers become stiff and hard, making skin loses its flexibility and pliability. This allows other aging symptoms to appear as well. Skin may also appear tight, puffy and blotchy, with an almost balloon look. Without enough water the body holds water to survive.

It is evident that the best way to have normal, functioning cells is to drink an adequate amount of water. We can get water into our system in two ways: first drink pure, clean, natural water. The chlorine content needs to be filtered out of tap water. Second eat fresh fruits and vegetables. The foods with high water-content are also high in beneficial nutrients and antioxidants: romaine lettuce, tomatoes, watercress, zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, cantaloupes, carrots, grapefruit, oranges and their juice, peaches, spinach, watermelon, apples, blueberries, yogurt, tofu, kiwis, avocados, plums, soy milk, cooked whole grains, beans and soups.

How much water should you consume each day? Our bodies lose up to three quarts of water a day because of digestion, assimilation and elimination. The body does not store excess water, so drinking six to eight glasses of water per day will replenish what is lost. This amount may vary based on your weight, health condition, activity level, etc. An easy way to calculate your personal daily need is to drink half of your body’s weight in fluid ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you need about 75 ounces of water a day, that is up to nine, eight ounce glasses a day. Keep in mind, beverages containing caffeine have an adverse affect on the body. Caffeine will cause you to lose more water through urine. Caffeinated beverages do include water, but they also include other ingredients that negate water’s cleansing effect and may cause other health issues in addition to dehydration.

To stay healthy and feeling young the next in importance is antioxidant rich vegetables and fruits. We’ve all heard broccoli, tomatoes, and green tea are “super foods” to be included in our diet, but what about apples, artichokes, nuts, and a slew of other antioxidant-rich foods? They help stabilize free radicals (molecular compounds linked with diseases such as cancer), I recommend eating foods high in antioxidants everyday.

Antioxidant-packed foods to keep in mind while you shop: Apples: Red Delicious in particular. Berries: Especially blueberries, but also cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Artichokes: Artichokes are one of the highest vegetables for antioxidants. Oregano: Make it easy to reach in the kitchen, so you’ll use it for soups, pizzas, etc. Nuts: Pecans! Use them in baking your favorite holiday recipes this season. Beans: Small red beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans. Plums and Prunes: They make good snacks! Cherries: Fresh, frozen, sweet of sour but not in syrup or maraschino. Nature has provided what we need to stay healthy and looking great. Choose foods and beverages from nature.

Almost daily in the news we see reports of chocolate’s health benefits. It’s a potent antioxidant, and is chock-full of chemicals and nutrients that have been attributed to making us happy. Yet many of us remain skeptical; eating lots of chocolate doesn’t seem to make us feel better, and in fact can lower energy levels for awhile. So what gives? If chocolate is such a miracle food, shouldn’t we be able to eat it all the time, without guilt and feel great? Well, yes, we can, but the way chocolate is prepared is crucial to unlocking its true potential as a health food. If you’d like to learn how to have a healthy dose of chocolate daily, read on…

Like so many things in our modern world, its the processing of chocolate that makes all the difference. This isn’t just the New Age Hippy types saying this either (as one, the author feels comfortable making this statement). Food chemists and researchers who analyze the molecular makeup of our diets are of the same opinion. It’s RAW, minimally-processed chocolate that’s the miracle food. Un-roasted, un-cooked plain old powdered chocolate, better known as ‘Cacao’, is far superior in every way for your health. Cacao is one of the few foods on the planet now being called a ’super’-food, as it’s nutrient density is so high and its health benefits are so great. Note that ‘organic’ does not mean ‘raw’. Even the premium organic hot-chocolate powders found in the high-end health food stores is still roasted and usually processed with alkali (called ‘Dutch Processing’, making it easier to dissolve in water, and destroying most of the antioxidants at the same time). This means that 99% of the chocolate products on the shelves are NOT the superfood you wished they were, but it also points the direction to how to include chocolate in your life on an exceptionally health daily basis. We’ll get to some recipes in a moment, but first a few points to help you remember why raw chocolate is where it’s at.

First the question of Caffeine. Many folks are sensitive to caffeine’s effect on their nervous system. It raises blood pressure, shortens tempers and keeps people awake. There are however, significant differences in the alkaloid structures of raw and roasted chocolate. Raw chocolate’s stimulation comes primarily from theobromine, which has little anxiety producing effects. Studies by natural wellness professionals and user reports both note that while commercially prepared dark chocolate has a very stimulating action that caffeine sensitive individuals may find too strong, an equivalent amount of raw cacao does not. The stimulating effects are reported mild, gentle, and without a ‘crash’ that is often associated with caffeine. A reason for mothers to think about creating their own raw chocolate treats for their children, too. The jury is still out on the actual amount if caffeine in raw chocolate; some investigators have found none, some have found small amounts in the ’skin’ of the cacao beans, and others of found only small amounts in beans that have fermented somewhat (an indication of a lower-quality cacao). Either way, if you’ve refrained from chocolate because of it’s caffeine content, raw cacao may just be your answer to enjoying this treat again.

The really big news about chocolate has been it’s antioxidant profile. Chocolate contains significant amounts of polyphenols — the same important antioxidants found in green tea, red wine and green apples — but in greater amounts. Dark chocolate contains an impressive 5% of these compounds, yet raw chocolate is made up of an incredible 10% concentration of these possibly life-extending molecules. Both roasting and processing with alkali (to make Dutch cocoa) reduce antioxidant concentration. Further, the increased absorbability of powdered raw cacao (perhaps the most versatile form of raw chocolate) over cacao nibs give them an edge in ORAC value, a measure of Oxidative Radical Absorbance Capacity.

Maybe the most intriguing constituents of chocolate are it’s mood-altering chemicals besides its stimulation. Many users of raw chocolate find and even greater boost than from commercial chocolates. Like caffeine, some of the molecules attributed to mood-enhancement are also heat sensitive. Tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, is present in significant amounts and is known to be broken down by heat (and apparently it’s not the Tryptophan in the turkey dinners that makes one tired, it’s the three servings followed by pie and ice cream!). Other natural constituents are dopamine and precursors to dopamine, one molecule called the ‘love chemical’ and another called the ‘bliss chemical’. Add to these monoamine oxidase inhibitors which actually enhance the activity of all of the above mood brighteners. Finally, there’s lots of easily absorbed magnesium in raw chocolate, a mineral associated with serotonin production (many pharmaceutical antidepressants increase serotonin activity), and the ability to relax. Raw chocolate offers the healthiest and most effective means of adding these happy-making nutrients to your daily diet.

Need more be said? Ready for some recipes? The simplest means of eating raw chocolate is snacking on cacao nibs. These are small pieces of cacao beans that mix well with natural granolas or dried fruit. For the absolute most profound positive effects on your health, AND the most versatile form of raw chocolate for your recipes, pre-powdered raw chocolate is the best choice. The powder can be added to any drink, or easily made into bars, drops or other shaped candies. By far the most often enjoyed recipe for raw chocolate powder is the simple chocolate drink: Put one heaping tablespoon raw cacao powder, one teaspoon raw agave nectar, and one teaspoon high quality coconut oil in a blender (note that coconut oil quality varies greatly – a good coconut oil should taste pleasant by itself and have no chemical or rancid flavor which would otherwise be noticed in your chocolate drink). Add eight to twelve ounces of hot (but not boiling water) and blend at low speed for about ten seconds. That’s it; Chocolate magic that’s easily adjusted to your tastes — experimenting in whatever way comes to mind is highly encouraged.

There are lots and lots of recipes out there, and great reading on raw chocolate’s health benefits and preparation. You’ll cacao powder often combined with other super nutritious foods in smoothies and good-for-you deserts. Natural organic candies start with the same ingredients as the drinks, but without the liquid. Mixing the chocolate and coconut oil is easiest with your hands (as this gently melts the coconut oil) — making a paste to which you can add any little natural crunchy treats. As you’re not baking anything, there’s little to go awry, and really, so many possibilities. By using raw chocolate, you’ll open up a whole new world of cooking for yourself and your family — and if you hadn’t before, you might just find yourself really motivated to treat yourself to natural health and wellness.