Could drinking green tea be the answer to staying fit?
Sometimes we're just looking for a quick fix, something that doesn't take much effort and will leave us feeling better for it.
New research suggests that a common drink could significantly improve the physical health of those of 65.
A major study published in the March addition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the more green tea drunk, the more self-sufficient and mobile people were.
The study was conducted over a period of 3 years and followed 14,000 Japanese individuals over the age of 65. The amount of green tea consumed over this period was monitored along with the incidence of physical disability and the level of care they needed.
In those who drank 1-2 cups of green tea a day the incidence of functional disability dropped by 10 per cent, in those who had 3-4 cups it dropped by 25 per cent and in those who had more than 5 cups a day it dropped by 33 per cent.
The researchers concluded that "Green tea consumption is significantly associated with a lower risk of incident functional disability, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors."; that is to say Green tea drinkers fared better as they grew older (even after taking into account that 'green tea drinkers' already generally had healthier diets, lower smoking rates, were better educated and had more friends and family to rely on).
To date no one is entirely sure why green tea may help promote good health so significantly, but it is known to contain high levels of plant chemicals called polyphenols, which occur in higher levels in green tea than normal tea and have numerous associated health benefits. Furthermore, the researchers noted one recent study found green tea extracts seem to boost leg muscle strength in older women, which may indicate a possible mechanism.
However the tea works the results are significant and make it clear that if you want to stay active as you get older going green is the way forward.
Which Green Tea?
The exciting new Green Tea Diet Blend from Natur Boutique has been specifically created to harness the health benefits of green tea in a tasty way aiming to make it more appealing to everyone.
The blend combines green tea with the rare and exotic Java tea, which is a powerful antioxidant, and therefore aids the body with removal of unwanted waste molecules safely. The blend also contains Liquorice offering a friendly sweetness and a delicious taste to the tea.
Natur Boutique's Green tea blend is available from www.naturboutique.co.uk and costs just £2.95.
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