This Blog’s Goals: Better Nutrition, Fitness, Mobility, Longevity.

As a long time athlete, I have trained hard over the years and constantly thought about nutrition and fitness and how to deal with it as we get older. In each one of my blogs, I want to share some things I have learned along the way. My goal is to help you improve your nutrition and fitness and increase mobility and longevity. Today we are going to take one big, baby step with nutrition…TEA!

WHAT IS TEA?

Tea comes from the plant camellia sinensis. Only tea from this plant is considered true tea (henseforth called tea). All other teas are herbal tea. Tea comes in four different types: white, green, oolong, and black. Each type has a different taste and different nutritional values, because the processing is different for each type of tea. All four teas are very good for you, but since green and white tea are processed less than black and oolong teas, they have a higher nutritional value than black and oolong teas. Black and oolong teas have about double the caffeine of green and white, so they give you a bigger boost in the morning. These teas have their own individual flavor, with white tea the smoothest and mildest tasting, and green tea a bit more of a distinctive taste. Both black and oolong are much stronger in taste. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the taste that suits you.

WHY IS TEA HEALTHY FOR YOU?

True tea is considered a superfood because it contains unique antioxidants and compounds that can improve your health. The first important antioxidant is flavonoids. The most potent of the flavonoids is ECGC (also known as catechins). When the body consumes flavonoids, ECGC helps prevent damage to your body from free radicals. Free radicals can cause cancer, heart disease and clogged arteries through oxidation. They build up within the body during bodily processes such as breathing and drinking water.  Polyphenols, a micronutrient  which may also prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes, are a second powerful compound found in true tea. Finally, theanine is an amino acid found in tea that can help relieve stress and have a calming affect. It may also help prevent and reduce the damage from strokes.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS (this should send you running to the store to buy tea)

-Lowers Cancer risk- ovarian, pancreatic, oral cancer, prostate cancer,

-Tea is tied to longevity (In population observations)

-Protects skin from aging

-Supports bone density

-Helps prevent type 2 diabetes

-Supports brain health

-Reduces stress

-Reduces Inflammation

-Supports immune system

_ -Reduces blood pressure

What I’ve noticed since I started drinking tea 3 years ago is:

-lower blood sugar, dropped from 99 to 85 on fasting glucose test,

-lower blood pressure from 130/80 to 110/65

-my skin cleared up

-positive bone density test

I have also given up all carbonated and sweetened drinks for tea, water and almond milk.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU DRINK?

3-5 cups per day, every day!

HOW I DRINK TEA?

-Hot black tea first thing in the morning, I like the extra caffeine

-Iced green tea during the day with lemon or lime juice

-Hot tea at night often with with lemon, bergomot or cinnamin

–without sugar (negates many of the benefits of tea) or sweeteners

–without cream

-fresh brewed with bottled water

-not bottled tea

-not instant instant

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!

Remember: You are what you eat!   So long till next time…

Jeff 🙂

Also, send me a gmail with any questions, or if you would like to know my favorite teas.

bootscootinreview@gmail.com