Tea drinkers in studies see cardiovascular benefits

23 May 2012By World Tea News

Two independent studies suggest flavonoids and polyphenols found in tea may aid in the prevention of heart disease.

Consumption of the flavonoid rutin in foods and tea could help to prevent the formation of blood clots, according to researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School.

The report published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that the compound commonly found in fruits and vegetables could have promise in blocking the formation of blood clots in an animal model of clotting (thrombosis)

“Rutin proved to be the most potently anti-thrombic compound that we ever tested in this model,” said lead researcher Robert Flaumenhaft. In particular, he revealed that rutin was shown to inhibit both platelet accumulation and fibrin generation during clot formation.

Clots occur in both arteries and veins, he explained. Arteries are platelet-rich while those in veins are fibrin-rich. This discovery suggests that a single agent can treat and prevent both types of clots,” he said. The researcher recommended clinical trials.

Results show rutin may prove helpful in the prevention and treatment of stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

A different study to examine the impact of tea drinking on blood cholesterol levels found black tea intake improves lipid profile and antioxidant status of a random population.

In a paper published in the Journal of Preventative Medicine, researchers studied the effect of black tea on risk factors of cardiovascular disease in a normal population.

In a report included in the American Botanical Council’s HerbClip “the moderate intake of black tea improved the plasma levels of some of the cardiovascular disease risk factors and total antioxidant capacity.”

"Although the underlying biological mechanisms for these effects and the exact role of phenolics warrant an extensive study, tea may provide an important source of dietary antioxidants in many individuals," conclude the authors.

They conducted a randomized, controlled, parallel clinical trial to determine the effects of black tea consumption on fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, as well as the antioxidant status in a normal population in the Republic of Mauritius.

Participants were given three 200mL servings of tea daily with no additives for 12 weeks, then drank hot water to wash out their systems. Black tea was from the Mauritius Corson Tea Estate Co. was carefully analyzed to determine the concentration of flavonoids.

Subjects tested after 12 weeks of tea drinking showed significantly increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels: 17% in the men and 24% in the women.

A significant increase in antioxidant activity was in tea-treated men (440% FRAP) and tea-treated women (386% FRAP) at week 12, followed by a significant increase in the men during the washout. The tea’s antioxidant effect was also measured in TEAC values which were slightly reduced by tea intake in the men and women at week 12.

Tea also appears to have a beneficial impact on glycemic levels. The mean fasting blood glucose level at baseline was 134 ± 66 mg/dL for the men and 111 ± 38 mg/dL for the women. At 12 weeks, those levels dropped significantly for the men (30.2%) and for the women (14.8%). Non-significant decreases were observed in the control groups.

The population of Mauritius has an unusually high (23.6%) incidence of diabetes compared to populations worldwide. The authors note that the baseline glycemic levels in both the control and test groups were higher than the international standard values. Examining the results of this trial, the authors conclude that "an antihyperglycemic effect of black tea can therefore be anticipated."

Cinnamon & Honey - Interesting / Simple / Why Not?

by Weekly World News
April 2012

I'll bet the drug companies won't like this one getting out. First of all, never boil honey or put it in a microwave. This will kill the enzymes in the honey. It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects for any kind of disease, even diabetics. Dr. Oz talks about it all the time...

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attacks. Those who have already had an attack, daily use could stop the next one. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully, finding that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily (morning and night) one cup of hot water with two tablespoon of honey and one small tbs of cinnamon powder. When taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water were found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained).

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and aids digestion.

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient', which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month?

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

TOOTHACHE: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied three times a day until the tooth stops aching.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore hearing. 

And if you suffer from pollen allergies, using local honey may help. There's just enough pollen in the honey to trigger your immune system to fight your allergies!

At SensibiliTeas, we sell local honey and organic cinnamon. Once again, proud to be your one stop shop.

Green Pekoe Adirondack Brined Pork Loins

Serving Size: 6 

You will need:

2 quarts cold water 
2/3 cup sea salt 
½ cup maple syrup (real and local if possible, please) 
2 cups apple cider real and local if possible please) 
1 tablespoon peppercorns 
2 tablespoons Green Pekoe tea
4-6 pound pork loin, or 4 1lb pork tenderloins, or 6 center cut pork chops cut 1 ¼” – 1 ½” thick 
2 tablespoons cooking oil
Paprika

Directions 

1) Trim any excess external fat from the meat. 
2) Bring water, cider, salt, syrup & peppercorns to just below a boil. (Steam should be slow and lazy) Make sure salt is dissolved. 
3) Remove from heat and add tea. Cool solution, uncovered, to room temp. 
4) Submerge pork loin in the brine in a large glass bowl or small crock. Weigh the meat down by placing an object (like a heavy plate) on top so that the meat remains submerged in the solution. Refrigerate overnight if the loin, 6-8 hours if using tenderloins, 4-6 hours if using chops. Bone-in pork may take a day longer. 
5) Remove pork from solution & rinse &  pat dry. To test flavor of brined pork, cut a small piece off the meat, pat it dry and pan-fry it. If the meat is sufficiently flavorful, remove it from the brine, let it come to room temperature, sprinkle with paprika and grill. If not, leave it in the brine and test again later. Discard solution. 
6) Staying inside? Brown pork on all sides in vegetable oil. Sprinkle all sides with paprika and place in a 350◦F oven for approximately 1 hour. Ovens vary, so check doneness by making a small cut in pork. No pink! Remove pork from oven & tent in foil for about 10 minutes.

Golden Jasmine Butterfly ... yummm...

Mmmmm... mmmmm ... what's in your cup tonight...


Tonight I'm enjoying Golden Jasmine Butterfly. This rare reserve tea is absolutely our finest jasmine tea. It begins with an exceptional hand-picked organic white tea from the Fujian region of China, and is then layered with fresh jasmine petals night after night until the scent and flavor are indescribably deep and sweet. The tea is then beautifully hand-bound into the shape of tiny, delicate. Sheer luxury in a cup.


Yes, it's expensive ... but let's put it into perspective. No one thinks twice about paying $10.50 for a great bottle of wine, so why would anyone balk at $10.50 for an ounce of organic handpicked, hand-processed, hand-tied tea from the other side of the world?


Even better ... a quarter-pounder, large fries and coke ...  gotta be at least $6 ... and gone in a matter of minutes.... but $10.50 is to expensive for about 30 cups of the best stuff on earth?


This is great with my Chinese food (broccoli, snow peas, green beans with rice) and my new happy music ... I feel a bubble bath coming on ...


You know what ... I should make some in the shop for you to try ... maybe I'll do that tomorrow. That makes for a happy day for me at the shop tomorrow!  Awesome music, luxurious tea and anticipated visits from at least three beautful friends.  Nice way to start a weekend!


So what's in your cup?

Sensibiliteas.blogspot.com gets a new look

Good morning ...
Well, the good folks at blogger changed their way of doing things I'm sure I'll adjust. However, the emailed version of the blog yesterday was really icky looking.


The problem has always been a blog with a black background and an email with a white background... how to best format the text... 
Well, I've alleviated the problem (I hope) by cleaning up the blog a little and giving it a fresher look. Let me know what you think!

Brain Waves Indicate Tea Creates `Relaxed Alertness'

Brain Waves Indicate Tea Creates ‘Relaxed Alertness’

26 Apr 2012
By World Tea News


Brain scans show that compared to water, the L-theanine in tea has a very pronounced calming effect (indicated by red, alpha waves)
 


Australian researchers at the Center for Human Psychopharmacology measuring brain waves of volunteers found the EGCG in tea has a calming effect producing “relaxed alertness.”


Lead researcher Andrew Scholey sought to discover whether the flavonoid epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) modulates brain activity and self-reported mood in a double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study.


Participants completed baseline assessments of cognitive and cardiovascular functioning, mood and a resting state electroencephalogram (EEG) before and two hours after receiving 300 mg EGCG or matched placebo, according to Scholey.


He writes that “EGCG administration was associated with a significant overall increase in alpha, beta and theta activity, also reflected in overall EEG activity, more dominant in midline frontal and central regions, specifically in the frontal gyrus and medial frontal gyrus. In comparison to placebo the EGCG treatment also increased self-rated calmness and reduced self rated stress. “


“This is in keeping with the widespread consumption of green tea for its purported relaxing/refreshing properties,” he concludes.


EGCG is one of the key flavonoid phytonutrients found in the Camellia sinensis, the plant from which green, white, black, and oolong teas are made, writes Dr. Michael Greger who has written about similar findings with the active ingredient L-Theanine.


Using an electroencephalogram, researchers were able to anatomically match changes in brain wave activity to the feelings of a relaxed alertness that participants reported when consuming the tea phytonutrients, compared to a double-blinded placebo, he writes.


In a report on his website, Care2Make a Difference (www.Care2.com) Dr.  Greger an author, physician and founder of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, describes in a video how the introduction of L-theanine (50 mg) has a similar pronounced effecting on brain wave activity (pictured here).


The phytonutrient theanine “offers another neurological basis for humanity’s love affair with tea,” writes Dr. Greger. “Relaxed and aware is where we want to be. How do we get there? Drink tea,” he says.


There are benefits to tea drinking beyond just making us feel good, such as extending our lifespan.


This may explain the so-called Asian Paradox, why people living in Asia have lower heart disease and lung cancer rates despite their high level of smoking.


“How many cups a day of green tea are associated with increased longevity, though?” he asks.


“Five.”


Sources: Appetite, Acute Neurocognitive Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate


Abstract: Acute neurocognitive effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
Scholey A, Downey LA, Ciorciari J, Pipingas A, Nolidin K, Finn M, Wines M, Catchlove S, Terrens A, Barlow E, Gordon L, Stough C.


Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Vic. 3122, Australia

Good morning folks! Some major changes going on at SensibiliTeas these days ...

Over the next month or so, I will be working on modifying the SensibiliTeas pricing structure. This will include a tiny price increase. I figure it's time, in that I haven't increased prices since opening on 04/25/2006 (that's right! SensibiliTeas birthday is just around the corner!) during a time when the world has seen skyrocketing shipping charges, global climatic changes and meterological problems and significant global unrest ... all things that contribute to higher tea prices.

Anyway ... I'm doing it in such a way that though some will pay a little more, some people may even benefit! Instead of offering firm price breaks at 4oz, 8oz and 1lb, there will be a 10% discount for purchases of 4-7 oz of tea, 8-15 oz of tea will see a 15% discount, and those purchasing 16oz or more will see a 25% discount.

Here's a price comparison:

Now:

Lime Ginger Green Rooibos

1 oz. = $3.00 (.30 per cup)

4 oz. = 10.00 (.20-.25 per cup)

8 oz = 19.00 (.19-.24 per cup)

16oz = 32.00 (.16-.17 per cup)

Coming :

1oz = $3.00 (about .30 per cup)

4oz = 12.00-1.20 = 10.80 (.22-.27 per cup)

8oz = 24.00-4.80 = 20.40 (.20-.26 per cup)

16oz =48.00-12.00=36.00 (.18 per cup)

As well, we are discontinuing the sample size. The price of the packaging has become far too expensive, so minimum prices begin at 1oz. Hope you understand.

While researching more affordable packaging, we have found the need to change our packaging. Most tea purchases will now be packaged in rice paper bags. All of them will be light green, so it will be difficult for you to come into the shop and tell us you need a gold bag of tea when we no longer have them. If you are unsure how much tea you usually, please bring your old bag with you, and we'll help you figure it out. I expect the packaging changes to happen sometime in the coming week.

Even though prices are going up a little, many people will benefit!

The price breaks will no longer be limited to the purchase of a single kind of tea, but will apply to your entire purchase. So where

currently you'd buy

Apricot Allure 1oz = $3.00

Lemon Tulsi 1oz. = $3.00

Assam 1947 1oz. = $3.00

Mayan Chai 1oz. = $3.00

And your bill would be $12.00.

With the pricing structure change you'd get at 10% discount and pay $10.80!

Changing prices on 600+ different teas is a time consuming task -- even more so when considering how carefully it must be done to make sure the bookkeeping system, the website and the new brochure we're working on all say the same, so I'm begging for your patience as we move through this crazy project.

All in all, we promise to keep our prices lower and practices more fair than our mall-residing competitors. ;0)

Thanks for your continued loyaltea!

donnalynn