Wednesday, November 18, 2009

TEA ~ 5 CUPS A DAY KEEPS THE SWINE FLU AWAY!

Harness the power of tea! The cold and flu season (whether is be swine flu or the good old fashioned seasonal variety) is definitely upon us. Because your mouth is one of the main entry points, medical research recommends drinking tea and other warm liquids as much as possible. According to Dr. Vinay Goyal, an Intensivist and Thyroid specialist, drinking tea washes off proliferating viruses from the throat and into the stomach where they cannot survive.

Because of its high catechin percentage, tea is especially effective in preventing the flu since the flavonoids help prevent infection and inhibit viruses’ growth and reproduction. While the flu vaccine protects against a particular strain of flu type, catechins can protect again many different types of flu virus.

Whether it's green or black, tea has about to 10 times the polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables, by one estimate. Tea’s antioxidant power is simply astounding. All teas -- green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea -- come from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis. The only difference is how they are processed. White and green tea leaves are not fermented; they are withered and steamed. Oolong and black tea leaves undergo a crushing and fermenting process.

Interestingly enough, tea has different types of antioxidants than fruits and vegetables too. Among those listed on the USDA charts are thearubigins, epicatechins, and catechins. All are considered flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. The charts show that brewed green, white, oolong and black teas have loads of these flavonoids.

To get the most health benefits out of your teas, choose high-quality loose leaf teas from Steeped in Style Teas. Sip, savor, do your body a favor!

Tealightfully yours,

Shellie & Amy
www.steepedinstyleteas.com

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