Why White Tea is Wonderful

news you may not know

White On...

Black tea calms the nerves. Green tea soothes the soul. White tea...

-Fights cancer
-Protects against aging
-Reduces inflammation
-Fights rheumatoid arthritis
-Reduces wrinkles
-Tastes pleasant, especially on cool fall days

How does it manage all this disease-fighting proficiency? It all has to do with its ability to protect the elastin and collagen, which are natural protein structures of the skin. Elastin and collagen support the elasticity and strength of the skin, as well as the lungs, arteries and ligaments. Diseases often cause a breakdown in these proteins, but the extracts from white tea hold great promise in combating that process.

Several other plant extracts, including bladderwrack, green tea, anise and pomegranate were also effective in fighting the breakdown of elastin and collagen. But, even to the researchers' surprise, white tea far outperformed them all.

What exactly is white tea? It's actually made from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis, as green and black teas. It's the least processed of the teas, often still having the fine white hairs on the leaves - hence the name. See the link below for more information.

Well, this is great news - if you love tea. If you never touch the stuff, it just may be worth an experimental sip or two. Where else will you find a drink that gives you a healthy glow both inside and out?

To read more about the study, see this from ScienceDaily. To learn more about white tea, see this from white tea guide.

Resveratrol to the Rescue

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Sips That Soothe...

It's at it again...

Resveratrol, a component found in red wines (and, by the way, in red grape juices) is showing its potential for healing. Previous studies have shown resveratrol is heart-healthy, offering protection against cardiovascular disease. New studies now add a significant anti-inflammatory effect to its credentials.

This is especially significant because inflammation is the hallmark of many illnesses. In fact, secondary inflammation, such as that following a stroke, may do as much or more harm than the initial event. So, for scientists to find a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory is quite exciting.

The research has been restricted to lab mice up to this point. But, the discovery holds great potential for the development of an entirely new class of drugs that fights life-threatening systemic inflammation that accompanies appendicitis, peritonitis, sepsis and other conditions.

Stay tuned, as it appears the power of resveratrol has yet to be fully tapped. In the meantime, break open a bottle (or some grape juice if you prefer) and toast to your health.

To read more about the study, see this from ScienceDaily. To learn more about resveratrol, see this from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Omega-3s Fight Macular Degeneration

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Life With a Hole in the Middle...

Now you see them, now you don't.

Or, if you're over the age of 65, you may see just a portion of your spouse - or the television, the grocery store aisle or (yikes!) the roadway. That's the lot in life for those suffering from macular degeneration - one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly.

Macular degeneration causes the middle of the visual field to disappear, leaving the edges intact. This is all well and good if you've always lived life on the fringes and want your visual acuity to match your philosophy. But, most folks prefer their visual fields to be more well rounded than their worldview.

Scientists now say that omega-3 fatty acids may help. New research, in the lab with mice, indicates that omega-3s may help protect against macular degeneration by slowing the progression of the formation of lesions. Previous studies have shown omega-3s, derived form diets high in fish oil, also help protect against atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's.

So, grab some fish - or, head over to the health food store and grab a bottle of fish oil pills. Either way, be diligent with your omega-3s. They'll help you keep an eye on life.

To read more about the study, see this from ScienceDaily. To learn more about omerga-3s, see this from the American Heart Association.