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Saturday, August 01, 2009 by: Zephyr Faegen, citizen journalist

Earthy, rich and smooth with the comforting aroma of autumn leaves. Grade 1.

(NaturalNews) For over 2000 years, a special tea that originates from the Yunnan Province of China has been coveted for its preventative and curative properties. This tea is known as Pu-erh or Yunnan Tuocha. The tea’s cultivation can be traced as far back as the Han Dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE) and was made from the leaves of da ye or broad leaf tea. The leaves of this variety of old wild tea tree when picked, are taken and put through a process of delicate maturation that ends in the creation of what is called maocha.

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Nutrition Wise: Tea Extract, Caffeine in Espresso, Alcohol and Blood Pressure

*by Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 :: Staff infoZine

Q: Does green tea or green tea extract help people lose weight? Q: How does the amount of caffeine in espresso compare to the amount found in regular coffee? Q: Is it true that alcohol can affect blood pressure?

Kansas City, MO – infoZine – American Institute for Cancer Research

Q: Does green tea or green tea extract help people lose weight?

A: According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there is not sufficient evidence to determine if green tea can aid in weight loss. In fact, the research is conflicting. In one 2007 study, obese men and women who were given green tea extract (but still maintained their usual diet and activity patterns) showed greater decreases in body fat and waist measurement than those given a less-active compound. But other research, including one 2008 study that followed participants for four months, has found no difference in weight loss or change in waist measurements between groups given green tea extract versus a placebo. If you want to see if it makes a difference for you, there’s no harm in including some green tea among your daily beverages. When used in moderation, potential side effects include caffeine sensitivity and possible interference with blood thinning medications due to a small amount of vitamin K. Drinking green tea is certainly more economical than choosing supplements or extracts since an eight-ounce mug costs about 17 cents and contains an equal amount of active compound found in the pills or powders. In the end, you are probably best advised to focus on finding small ways to cut calories and increase physical activity each day rather than rely on weight loss aids like teas and extracts.

Q: How does the amount of caffeine in espresso compare to the amount found in regular coffee?

A: Espresso is more concentrated in caffeine than regular coffee, but the standard serving is much less, so drink-for-drink the two are fairly comparable in caffeine content. A six-ounce cup of coffee contains about 70 to 120 mg of caffeine, while a standard one-ounce espresso shot contains about 70 mg. Portion size is key however. A 16-ounce coffee (considered a “medium” at many coffee chains) can provide up to 300 mg of caffeine. A double shot of espresso in a cappuccino or latte offers about 150 mg.

Q: Is it true that alcohol can affect blood pressure?

A: Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is dependant on several lifestyle influences, among them: weight control, regular exercise, limiting salt and sodium consumption, and getting enough potassium – particularly by eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits. According to most experts, blood pressure control is usually not disrupted by alcohol, as long as it is consumed in moderation (no more than one standard drink a day for women and no more than two standard drinks a day for men). However, individuals can vary in how they respond to alcohol and should discuss it with their physician.

*Source: http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/32933/

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Weight Loss with Tea and Coffee

*by Sean Paajanen, About.com

You might not think of coffee or tea when it comes to trying to lose some weight, but I’ve got a few gems around here that might help you out. Sorry, but there is no ‘miracle tea’ that can melt away all your excess pounds.

Your Diet Plan
If you are following one of the hip, new diet and eating plans (such as the South Beach diet, Sugar Busters or the Blood type diet), you might want to check whether or not your coffee and tea is allowed.

Pu-erh Tea
Don’t let the odd name scare you. Pu-erh tea is quite tasty, and might be able to help you on your road to good health. Pu-erh is known to help digest fatty foods, and may even help to reduce your cholesterol levels.

Watch Your Fat Content
Now, there is NO fat in coffee or tea, so you can drink either one to your heart’s content. But you can rack up some serious calories and fat if you don’t watch what you put into your cup. If you enjoy a dollop of cream, you may be surprised just how much fat you’re adding.

Drink Lots of Water
It can be tough to drink all those glasses of water that nutritionists say we should, especially when you’d rather be noshing on some fudge ice-cream. Filtering your water can really improve the taste, and even makes it better for you by removing the chlorine. Portable filter bottles can help you bring filtered water with you.

Caffeine as an Appetite Suppressant
Caffeine can help to dampen down your appetite, at least mildly. Of course, caffeine does have some other side effects you should keep in mind before you start guzzling coffee to help your weight loss. My wife often has a cup of coffee mid-afternoon to help quell her munchies. The little energy boost might help you stay active a little while longer too.

Overall, a nice cup of tea or coffee can help you get over any snack cravings. Green or herbal teas are a great choice because of the extra health benefits.

This article is for information only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Make sure to consult with a physician before starting any weight loss program.

*Source: http://coffeetea.about.com/cs/health/a/weightloss.htm