German Researchers: White Tea Can Affect Fat Life Cycle

Friday, 15 May 2009

Concern over increases in obesity-related diseases prompted research into the effects of white tea on the human body. Researchers in Germany conducted in-vitro studies to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying fat metabolism, more specifically the effect of white tea on cultured human subcutaneous preadipocytes and adiopocytes (fat cells).

The findings, published this month in Nutrition & Metabolism, found that white tea effectively inhibits adipogenesis (the production of fat) and stimulates lipolysis activity (the destruction of fats). According to the abstract, this means white tea “can be utilized to modulate different levels of the adipocyte life cycle.”

If you'd like to see the full study and abstract please let me know and I'll provide that info to you!

Tulsi (Holy Basil)

To answer this week’s most popular question …


What is Tulsi?

Known as "The Queen of Herbs", tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) or holy basil is the most sacred herb of India. Although called holy basil it is a different plant from the pesto variety of Basil (Ocimum basilicum). For over five thousand years, tulsi has been revered in India as a healing balm for body, mind and spirit, and is known to bestow an amazing number of health benefits. Today, available at SensibiliTeas, it is known as a stress-relieving, energizing and delicious tea.

What are the health benefits of tulsi?
Tulsi, rich in antioxidant and renowned for its restorative powers, has several benefits:

• Relieves stress
• Boosts immune system
• Enhances stamina
• Provides support during cold season
• Promotes healthy metabolism
• Lowers cholesterol
• Eliminates toxins
• Protects against radiation
• Relieves inflammation
• Prevents gastric ulcer
• Reduces fever
• Improves digestion
• High in antioxidants
• Improves viscosity of blood
• Regulates blood pressure
• Normalizes blood sugar

How soon can you expect to see results from drinking Tulsi?
Some of tulsi effects are quite immediate, while others develop gradually after weeks of regular use. You may feel more relaxed and energized after the first cup. With regular use, you may simply notice that you do not seem to be bothered by stress or common illnesses, such as colds or flu, as often or as much as before, or you may generally notice that you tire less easily. As with many other herbal supplements, it usually takes at least a week or so of consistent use for the body to experience major benefits. For best results, we recommend drinking 3 cups a day (or two mugs) if possible.

As well as carrying plain Tulsi, I also carry a tulsi blend, Shanti, that contains orange peel, fennel and spearmint. I’m also working on a Tulsi Chai blend, and a sensuous, relaxing blend that is yet to be named containing rose petals, chamomile, lemon myrtle.

If you have any further questions about tulsi, please feel free to ask!

Want to try Tulsi? How about a sale through Saturday, February 14th? 20% off all purchases of Tulsi or Shanti to blog readers. For online orders, use the code ``blog020809'' in the special comments field of the online order form. For in-shop sales, remind me of the blog sale for Tulsi.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate (pronounced herba maatay) is an shrub or tree native to the subtropical regions of South America, primarily Argentina, eastern Paraguay, western Uruguay and southern Brazil. A member of the holly family, it grows to be about 40 feet tall. Yerba Mate is NOT A TEA. It is an herbal tisane, which is prepared and enjoyed as tea is, but it comes from a plant that is not a TEA plant (camellia sinensis) Yerba means herb and mate means gourd. In South America, mate is typically drunk from a gourd called a cuia through a long silver straw called a bombilla (both available at SensibiliTeas, though not yet on the website). Drinking it from a cup is perfectly acceptable, though.

Recently there has been a flurry of excitement about yerba mate being an effective aid for losing weight. Mate raises metabolism, regulates appetite and aids digestion. It is also thermogenic, meaning it induces the body to burn calories. Mate is a good source of antioxidants and provides the B vitamins, minerals and amino acids needed for long-lasting metabolism stimulation. I personally have not used yerba mate for weight loss purposes, as I am satisfied with the abilities of oolong and Pu Erh, but I do find it to be a pleasantly uplifting cuppa in the afternoon. I especially enjoy the Citrus Mate, which I have come to refer to as ``sunshine in a cup.’’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quote du jour:

"We must use time wisely and
forever realize that the
time is always ripe to do right."

Nelson Mendela (07/18/18-present)

Green tea and weight loss

Green tea can be a great part of a healthy weight management diet. It is calorie-free, fat-free and carbohydrate-free with no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners. Like oolong, pu-erh and yerba mate, it boosts your metabolism. Green tea is the perfect complement to meals of fresh fruits and vegetables, which should be a large part of any weight loss regime.

Green tea more popularly used for weight loss, because green tea is what has been marketed as the right tea for weight loss. More of the tea harvest is allocated for green tea production. Green tea is less expensive than oolong and therefore more profitable for a big company to use green tea for the ready-to-drink market. Once it hits the ready-to-drink market, it’s the cure-all. Personally, I think the effects of green tea weight loss combined with its superb health benefits (that will be discussed at another time) make it a good adjunct to any weight loss program. However, I have personally seen better results with oolong and Pu Erh. Drinking five cups of green tea a day will burn between 70-80 calories daily.