Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea has been around for thousands of years and has been used by the Chinese for generations as treatments for conditions such as depression and headaches. The tea is made by steaming the leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Although this plant is used in the production of a number of different teas, it is the process of steaming the leaves that makes the difference as this prevents the beneficial properties from being lost. There have always been claims that green tea had beneficial properties, mainly because of the apparent benefits on those in the Chinese community for whom the tea is part of their daily lifestyle. However, nowadays there is also scientific evidence to back up these claims.
There is a wide variety between the types of benefits caused by green tea, from minor aliments such as headaches, to more serious illnesses such as cancer. These benefits are due to the fact the tea is rich in antioxidants – at levels thought to be twice as strong as those found in resveratrol which is also well known for its health benefits. These antioxidants reduce the damage caused to cells by ‘free radicals’, which helps counter the effects of smoking and a diet rich in fats, known as the ‘French effect’. By reducing the damage caused by these free radicals, green tea also inhibits the growth of cancer cells which are basically damaged or deformed cells caused by free radicals. It has also been suggested that green tea can kill cancer cells already present without harming the healthy tissue, however the reliability of this is unclear. The same antioxidant properties helps reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, and has been known to reduce infection and can improve impaired immune functions.
Green tea has also been linked to the prevention of cardiovascular disease as it can inhibit the abnormal formation of blood clots, in turn preventing issues such as thrombosis which is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes. This is due to the antioxidant properties of the tea that help fight infection and repair cell damage. It is also due to its ability to reduce cholesterol levels, improving the ratio of good cholesterol (known as HDL) to bad cholesterol (known as LDL). Another benefit of green tea, and perhaps one of the main reasons for its increased popularity in the Western world, is its ability to help weight loss. It is thought that the tea can increase the metabolism which in turn helps burn calories without exercise. An additional benefit is that although the metabolic rate is increased, the heart rate is not. This is why green tea can be found in an increasing amount of weight loss supplements.
As well as the benefits regarding the serious health issues mentioned above, green tea can also be helpful in fighting more trivial ailments such as heartburn and tooth decay. It is also known to help with bad skin, which has resulted in it becoming a popular ingredient in skin care treatments. The only known downside to green tea is that it can contribute to insomnia due to the caffeine content; however the rate is lower than that found in coffee. Nevertheless, this is no reason not to try green tea for yourself to see if you can feel the benefits. Plus, it also has a great taste!
The Best Exercises for Weight Loss
Weight loss is an issue faced by many people, particularly due to the increase in obesity. Whilst everyone wants to know the best exercise to do or what will guarantee weight loss, this is hard to define as different things work for different people. It is also important to try to find a form of exercise that you are likely to stick to in order to achieve the optimum weight.
For those that are overweight or obese, it can be hard to exercise as your body may be physically restricted as to what you can do. Therefore it maybe better to do something a little less physical or exertive, such as housework. This may also be a good form of exercise for those that don’t have the time to fit any other exercise into their daily routine. Although housework only burns a few calories, higher percentages of fat are used. It is also useful as it can be fitted around the daily schedule, and if done daily, can increase the metabolism, activity levels and energy expenditure. Walking 30 minutes per day is also an easy way to loss weight, burning both fat and calories. It is less strenuous than other forms of cardiovascular exercise but a person can expect to burn around 180 calories per 30 minutes of exercise depending on the effort and intensity involved. Light jogging would be the next step for overweight or unfit people as it burns more calories and fat than walking, but is not as strenuous as running.
Aerobics is a good form of exercise to loose weight but is not suitable for overweight people due to amount of movement involved. It can be a pretty intense work out burning around 400 calories in 30 minutes, and is popular amongst women due to the focus on the arms, legs, hips and glutes. Running is perhaps one of the most common forms of weight loss exercise, and is one of the first things people choose to do when starting a weight loss regime. However it may actually be over-rated with regards to its weight loss abilities. This is due to the fact that running burns more carbohydrates than fat so it is not really affecting the weight stored in the body, and can also increase the appetite of the runner. Whilst professional runners may be used to this, it could stop any really weight loss occurring amongst everyday runners. However it is possible to burn around 400 calories per 30 minutes depending on the speed and resistance.
Anaerobic exercises such as sprinting and weight training burns both calories and carbohydrates but can only be done for short periods of time as it may cause muscle fatigue. One benefit however is that it increases the metabolism enabling the body to burn calories even whilst resting due to the increased muscle as it is an active tissue. Other forms of exercise that are good at providing a full body workout are cycling, swimming and rowing; each burning around 300-400 calories per 30 minute workout.
No matter what exercise you choose to do, it is important that you do it right. To get the best effects it is recommended that 30 minutes of exercise are done five times a week – however this could mean three 10 minute session a day. It is also important to have the right attitude. By focusing on getting healthy instead of getting thin, your whole attitude will change both in terms of exercise and healthy eating. By approaching exercise with the right frame of mind and finding a form of exercise you enjoy and that works, you will stick to it and will soon be able to see and feel the results!
Pilates vs Yoga: Which is Best for Weight Loss
Pilates and Yoga are similar in a lot of ways – in fact Pilates is actually based on Yoga! Both are different than other forms of exercise as they take an approach that is focused on the mind and body as a whole, which some people feel is better than regular forms of exercise in the long run and has additional benefits. The main difference between the two is that Pilates is seen as an exercise aimed at conditioning the body, whereas Yoga is a lifestyle. In terms of exercise, both aim to strengthen the muscles, particularly the arms, legs, abdomen and back. They also both focus on breathing and concentration, with yoga aiming to employ breathing on a deeper level. The first noticeable difference between the two is how they are carried out. Pilates needs both a mat and machines in order to do the various ‘moves’, whilst Yoga requires a mat as well as blocks, straps and blankets. Both are usually carried out in a class with a teacher, but they can also be done at home if you have the apparatus.
Pilates aims to strengthen the core muscles whilst helping to elongate the spine and improve flexibility. These exercises can lead to a flat abdomen and strong back, and so it does have benefits when it comes to weight loss. Pilates also refreshes the body and mind due to the non-strenuous regimes involved and the use of valuable breathing techniques. These breathing techniques also help reduce and prevent stress, which is all part of the aim of achieving a healthy body as well as a healthy mind. With regards to the body, Pilates helps improve posture, strengthens and lengthens muscles, and enhances muscle elasticity and joint mobility. It can also help build strength without the appearance of bulky muscles often gained through weight training. This is also a plus for those using Pilates as a form of weight loss exercise.
Yoga is seen as the path to physical and mental well-being and is a lifestyle choice rather than an exercise, due to the importance placed on the diet, relaxation. meditation and breathing skills, as well as exercise. Yoga can enhance flexibility and lubricates the joints, tendons and ligaments. It is also the only exercise to massage the internal glands and organs and detoxify the body. It is a good form of exercise for those wanting to loss weight as it works on all the muscles, helping to tone them and improve their appearance without appearing bulky. Yoga is also chosen over Pilates by some as it works all the muscles rather than just the Core muscles.
It is hard to say which of the two is best for weight loss as both have a different approach to exercise – Pilates aims to produce a longer leaner body, whilst Yoga aims for a conditioned body and mind. Which one works best depends on the individual’s body frame and their own individual goals. However, as there are no negative effects produced by either if done properly, it could be a good idea to do both in order to achieve maximum results.
