It is no secret I move a lot. Sometimes at quite a brisk pace. I usually carry a large bottle of water with me that melts throughout the day. However, my water always contains a bit of color and a huge chunk of ice. One of my Pilates TRX Bootcamp students inquired yesterday, “what is in the water?” She did know there was no sugar in it, but did not know why the color was a little off and why it completely refreshed me. This is for SA.
Anti-oxidants – Duh!
In 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
Green tea and its extract have been shown to fight obesity and lower LDL “bad” cholesterol — two risk factors for heart disease and diabetes — but in very limited studies. One study in the Netherlands and a study in Japan showed that green tea did both.
In the Dutch study, participants who drank caffeinated green tea lost more weight, but even those who typically drank the decaf variety saw a decrease in their waistlines and body weight. Researchers speculated that the caffeine helps with fat oxidation.
The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
Because of green tea’s minimal processing — its leaves are withered and steamed, not fermented like black and oolong teas — green tea’s unique catechins are more concentrated.
I like the taste of Green tea, sans the sugar. I brew it and dilute it into 24 oz bottles, the freeze and drink the thawed water (sometime two, 24-ounce bottles) daily. Completely refreshes me throughout the day, particularly since I talk all day long!
The one negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. But for those of us looking to keep that volume pumped up and a little more “edge” to burn those extra calories, caffeine from tea can be a “friend.”
Truthfully, my worry now is finding the quality green tea I have been using (Ito En brand) without the risk of radiation from the Japanese power plant catastrophe.
Related articles
- The Official Green Tea Diet Promotes Healthy Weight Loss (prweb.com)
- Drinking Green Tea Lowers Total Plus “Bad” Cholesterol (fyiliving.com)
- Study: Green tea does work on cholesterol (timesunion.com)
Gina Jackson, is a classically trained Pilates Teacher and has been teaching along the Gold Coast of Hudson and Bergen County, NJ for the past fifteen+ years.
Certified by Power Pilates of New York, Gina has trained with Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Susan Moran and Brett Howard; loved workshop training with Cary Regan and Blossom Leilani-Crawford and has particularly enjoyed listening to the personal stories as told by Pilates Elders, Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel.
An active teacher and blogger, Gina manages a private personal training business supporting a myriad of clients, teaching all to honor their health, strength and life with the principles of Pilates at its core.