For years, green tea was consumed almost exclusively in Asia. For centuries, green tea has been used by Chinese herbalists to treat many health maladies from menstrual difficulties to headaches. In China and Japan, most people drink green tea all day long.

However, here in the Western world it has gained popularity only in the last few years. There are many ways to enjoy green tea, and many things to learn about it. There are several differences between green tea and other types of tea.

Processing – Green tea comes from the same plant as black tea, but it is processed differently. Green tea, however, is not fermented like black tea.

Green tea leaves are laid out to wither for about 8 to 24 hours after plucking to allow most of the water to evaporate. Next, to prevent the oxidation (fermentation) process, the leaves are steamed or pan fried. Finally the leaves are rolled and then dried again, unlike black tea leaves, which are cut.

Flavor – Because green tea is in a very natural state, it tastes more plant like than black tea. Most people describe green tea as having a somewhat “grassy” taste. It is green and somewhat pale in color, and can become bitter if over brewed. Green tea can have subtleties and differences in aroma and flavor based on the variety of the tea plant and the region in which the tea is grown.

In addition, there are many flavored green teas. Green teas are blended with herbs or fruit to create a wide variety of flavors. Many people who don’t enjoy the taste of plain green tea love the combination of green tea with other flavors.

Serving method – Green tea needs cooler water than any other tea for proper brewing.

Water for green tea should be purified and heated to about 160F. It can be enjoyed with sweetener, milk or lemon if you prefer. Green tea can also be enjoyed cold. Keeping a pitcher of iced green tea in your refrigerator lets you enjoy its health benefits all day long.

Caffeine Content – Green tea contains only about half the amount of caffeine as black tea. Black tea contains about 40 mg of caffeine per serving, while green tea contains just 20. In addition, caffeine in tea has been shown to be less likely to cause jitters than other caffeinated beverages.

Health Benefits – Green tea has received a lot of attention in recent years because it has been shown in research to be very effective at preventing many diseases and even in treating some. The natural anti-oxidants in green tea make it one of the most powerful health protectors you can consume as part of your diet. Green tea may be effective in:

-Reducing your risk of some forms of cancer – Many different studies have supported the finding that green tea can prevent and possibly even help treat some forms of cancer. The first interest in green tea’s health benefits resulted from statistics showing that Asian cultures, where green tea is the most commonly consumed beverage, have the lowest incidences of cancer in the world.

Some studies have even shown that green tea compounds can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, slowing the progress of the disease. It appears that tea may be most effective at preventing bladder, colon, rectal, esophageal, bladder, liver, lung, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

-Lowering Cholesterol – Tea has been shown to be effective in lowering LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). It appears that tea’s anti-oxidants work with HDL cholesterol to help transport bad cholesterol to the liver, where it can be passed from the body. Tea also appears to inhibit the formation of abnormal blood clots, which are the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.

-Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis -Tea’s anti-oxidants may have the power to help prevent rheumatoid arthritis. In some studies, it has even been suggested that green tea may be able to ease symptoms of those already suffering with this disease.

-Help Lose Weight – Tea’s combination of catechins and caffeine appear to speed up the metabolism and may help with weight loss. In addition, it appears that using green tea as a diet supplement causes fewer instances of jitteriness and rapid heart rate than other diet supplements. It may also help regulate insulin in the body, which can be beneficial for diabetics. Many studies have shown that lifelong tea drinkers tend to weigh less and have less body fat than non tea drinkers.

-Prevent Alzheimer’s disease – Studies suggest that tea drinkers may also be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Though the subject requires far more research, it has also been suggested that green tea’s potent anti-oxidants may even have the power to slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease in those already suffering.

Most people in the Western world still drink black tea over green tea. But, as you can see, there are many health reasons to make green tea a part of your regular diet. Green tea may be an important way to protect your health and prevent disease. And, it’s delicious, too!

The Glycemic Index (GI) has been around since 1981 and is a great blueprint for eating healthy.

With a growing population of diabetics and overweight individuals, eating within GI guidelines, meaning that you take into account how much a particular food raises blood sugar and over stresses insulin production, is gaining interest among the medical community and the public.

What is the Glycemic Index (GI)?

The Glycemic Index indicates how quickly 50 grams of a food’s carbohydrates turn into sugar. At the most basic level, the GI ranks carbohydrate filled foods according to their glycemic response. Foods that raise your blood glucose level very fast have a higher GI rating than foods that raise your blood glucose level at a slower pace. In general, lower GI foods are the healthier choice.

What are the benefits of low GI foods?

Trying to keep the bulk of your food in the low GI rating can offer a number of benefits, these include:

- Controlling your blood glucose level
- Controlling your cholesterol level
- Reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes
- Assists in lowering and controlling weight
- Reducing your risk of heart disease
- Prolonging your physical endurance

How do I lower my GI?

There are simple steps you can take to lower your Glycemic Index. Here are a few ideas.

- Limit your bread intake to whole grains and oats (No White Bread)
- If you are eating a high GI food, try combining it with a low GI food (see chart)
- Eat multiple servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. They fill you up and have a low GI.
- Try rice vinegar in place of salad dressings.
- Limit your intake of processed and starchy foods.
- Choose healthy fats such as canola and olive oil.

For more ideas and a more in depth look at the GI, you may want to look at the following books.

“Sugar Busters”

“Eat Yourself Slim”

“The G.I. Diet”

Glycemic Index Food Chart

Low Glycemic Index food (less than 55)
Foods with GI index between 55 and 70 are intermediate
High Glycemic Index food GI (more than 70)

Low Glycemic Foods

Apple 38
Pear 38
Skim Milk 32
Carrot Juice 45
Whole Grain Bread 50
Low Fat Yogurt 14
Oranges 44
Spaghetti, whole wheat 37
Sweet potato 54
Jams and marmalades 49
Popcorn 55
Artichoke 15
Asparagus 15
Broccoli 15
Cauliflower 15
Celery 15
Cucumber 15
Eggplant 15
Green beans 15
Lettuce, all varieties 15
Low-fat yogurt, artificially sweetened 15
Peppers, all varieties 15
Snow peas 15
Spinach 15
Young summer squash 15
Tomatoes 15
Zucchini 15
Soya beans, boiled 16
Peas, dried 22
Kidney beans, boiled 29
Lentils green, boiled 29
Chickpeas 33

High Glycemic Foods

Waffles 76
Doughnut 76
White bread 71
Rice Krispies 82
Cornflakes 83
Corn chips 74
Jelly beans 80
Pretzels 81
Rice Cakes 82
Potato, instant 83
Potato, baked 85
Rice pasta, brown 92
Dates 103

The GI should help you make smart choices when choosing what to eat. Remember to make most of your choices on balanced nutrition…including a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables. Make an effort to cut back on foods with refined starch and concentrated sugar. Include some healthful fats and do not forget the protein.

Here’s to your health!

One of the most dreaded diseases is diabetes. It is a killer disease and it is really very difficult to control. Going by the official US stats, diabetes is the third biggest giant killer among the deadly diseases in the United States of America. The global statistics is also mind-boggling!

First things first, how does a person become diabetic? When your body is unable to produce insulin that is necessary for its normal functioning, it becomes unable to absorb glucose (sugar). When the levels of glucose take a course to the blood stream, you become a diabetic patient.

Once you become diabetic, you have a problem for life. You live hour by hour, during the day. Medication becomes part of your life, which is likely to demand a good portion of your pension! Your lifestyle will be changed. You will suddenly become a thinking man now-thinking about diabetes. You might find your self pronouncing the term diabetes, diabetes, and diabetes hundreds of times a day!!

When it has finally seized you, it is not only diabetes alone! Many other dreaded diseases live in waiting to take hold of you. Some of them are kidney failure, heart diseases, nervous breakdown, blindness, blurred vision, limb amputation and the ultimate for the human body-death!

The prescriptive medicines complete the remaining process of the damage. Many toxic side effects are reported- skin rashes, weight gain and respiratory ailments, are few to quote. Notwithstanding the claims of many over-the-counter drugs that promise cure, the one thing that can really help you is your diet control and perfect discipline as regards to time management.

For example, your morning walks. Now, all the medical practitioners agree that morning walks do great service to tame the intensity of diabetics. So, you need to take a complete brief about the articles of food that is suitable for you, vegetables included! If anything will have the exacting affects to take you out of the influence of this disease, it is nature! So, have a perfect dietary discipline. It has taken many to the path of complete recovery! Some of the local treatments have the intrinsic capacity to tame your high blood sugar and such cases are the only hope for the diabetic patients!

So, do not think that everything is lost for you! From the dark ashes, sprouts a seedling!

Motherhood is a wonderful experience of a woman. Nature ensures the continuance of living beings through their progenies, human beings being no exception to this universal rule. The development of human consciousness and scientific advancement though has put some restrictions or exceptions to the very purpose and end of a man woman relationship, it is the nature’s design for obtaining progeny and thereby ensuring the continuance of the human race.

Diet is an important factor to be taken care of during the pregnancy. One has to bear mind that one has to eat for two during pregnancy though overeating is not the remedy for this. One has to take sufficient quantity of proteins, vitamins and minerals since the mother is the only source of al these essential items for the baby.

Pre natal diet do not recommend complete non carbohydrate diet since it may result in production of ketones in the blood stream in the absence of carbohydrates, that may result in the risk of brain damage for the baby. Besides this also may lead to constipation in pregnant women since they are supplied with additional doses of iron required for the baby.

The pre natal food need include enough fruits to ensure vitamins in required quantity. One need be careful not to over eat that may lead to obesity especially those who suffer from diabetics or low B.P. or over weight.

Normally low carbohydrate diet includes whole grains and fruits with minimum white rice and pasta. If one take high carbohydrate diet it is better to go for frequent meals. One may avoid processed meat as it contains less nutrients and more calories. Sufficient quantity of nuts salads and fruits are to be taken. Large doses of salt and sauces are to be avoided. One is best advised to consult the gynecologist to get a balanced diet prescribed. There is definitely a connection with the pre natal food and the baby’s health.

One has to prepare oneself to be a good mother by enriching the knowledge of baby care, and the post delivery health care. One needs to be emotionally prepared to keep adjusted with the physical, and emotional changes one is subject to during this period. The role of a loving husband during the period cannot be over emphasized. It is he who has to give her the care, comfort, and the confidence to prepare herself to become a matured, healthy and loving mother.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice regarding pregnancy. Prior to beginning any diet or taking any medication, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.

There is a strong connection between carbohydrates, high blood sugars and diabetes. Carbohydrates give your body the energy, or fuel, it needs to function properly.

There are two types of carbohydrates; simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are in foods such as fruit sugar, corn or grape sugar and table sugar. They are single-sugar molecules. Complex carbohydrates are the foods that contain three or more linked sugars. So carbohydrates create blood sugars and that’s where the problems start for diabetics. Understanding more about the connection helps to control your diabetes…

A Personal Experience

I am a diabetic type 2 and, at the moment, I control my blood sugars through tablets and diet. Blood glucose control is extremely important for any diabetic – it is the only way of minimising future health complications; heart disease; neuropathy resulting in amputations; kidney disease and early death.

Four years ago my A1C sugar levels were starting to get out of control – they weren’t massively high but were creeping up. My Doctor increased my medication – with no real satisfactory results, my blood sugars were all over the place; I could go from a high reading at night and be woken by a hypoglaecemic (low blood sugar) in the early hours.

Then I discovered the Atkins diet and, because I wanted to lose weight, I started to follow the low carbohydrate, high protein menus.

That’s when I discovered the real connection between complex carbohydrates, high blood sugars and my diabetes. Suddenly my blood sugars stabilised and it was because I was no longer piling in huge amounts of carbohydrate, which were pushing my blood sugars far too high.

This seemed to fly in the face of conventional advice on the right diets – complex carbohydrate rich – for diabetes. You see, I already understood I had to avoid sweet, sugary food – these contained simple carbohydrates. I hadn’t realised that the more complex carbohydrate of bread, potato and cereals affected my blood sugars as well.

But (there’s always a ‘but’ isn’t there?) the Atkins diet did not really suit me. I had constant diarrhea which was stressful and debilitating. So I came off that diet after 3-4 months and, of course, my blood sugars began to get out of control again.

But now I knew about the connection, all I needed to do was find the right program for me that followed the low carbohydrate principle.

And just recently, whilst doing research for my diabetes website, I discovered a program that suits me, and which I describe in more detail on my website for diabetics.

My advice to any diabetic and pre-diabetic, do your research! Understand the close connection between the complex carbohydrates you eat, how they affect your blood sugars and how it can make it difficult to control your diabetes. Once you understand that link, look for a diet or system that you can adapt to safely bring your blood sugars back under control.

Remember, too many carbohydrates (complex or simple) give you high blood sugar levels and if you have diabetes it means your body cannot cope with the additional overload.

Where type 1 diabetics do not produce enough insulin for their body, type 2 diabetics
produce the insulin but their bodies are not make proper use of it. Type 2 diabetes has
been linked to lifestyle choices as a large number of people who are diagnosed are
considered overweight or obese. The extra weight a person carries around can make it
hard for the body to process insulin properly.

Some additional risk factors for being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes include a family
connections (a first or second generation family member) and race. Even with these risk
factors present a person can prevent out put-off a diagnosis off type 2 diabetes by losing
weight, eating a healthy diet, and plenty of physical activity.

Type 2 diabetes has in the past been diagnosed in patients over the age of 40 but in recent
years people of all ages have been diagnosed with this disease. There is an alarming
number of young children who are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who are obese.

People who have not yet been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may exhibit some of these
symptoms: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) and skin infections. Moodiness and
irritability may also be a symptom of diabetes but is usually not one that precipitates a
trip to the doctor and is later explained by high or low blood sugar levels. Other warning
signs for type 2 diabetes are the same as type 1 diabetes such as an increased need to
urinate, a desire to drink more and a feel of lethargy or constant tiredness.

Type 2 diabetics have a range of options for treatment depending on personal preference
and their individual needs in contrast to type 1 diabetics whose only option is to go on
insulin injections or an insulin pump.

Reference Webster’s New World College Dictionary:
Food: 1. any substance taken into and assimilated by a plant or animal to keep it alive and enable it to grow and repair tissue; nourishment; nutriment.
2. Anything that nourishes or stimulates; whatever helps something to keep active, grow, etc.

But does it enable to grow and repair tissue, or give proper nourishment and stimulants to our mind and body? There was a time when this question could be answered with an astounding yes. But this certainly isn’t true anymore!

As a good example, in 1880 it was evident in the general population, that there were around 2.8 cases per 100,000 people who were diabetics. Then this rose to around 29.7 cases per 100,000 people in 1949. But then, in that same year, 1949, the manor in which they started keeping statistics was changed, to where the 29.7 cases were now 16.4 cases per 100,000 people. The consequence coming out of this change was to obscure what was actually the incredible rise in diabetic cases over this same period. Of course during that time period there was no distinction between Type I, and Type II diabetes it was known simply as diabetes.

Today, Type II diabetes alone has affected around 10 to 20% of the population; this is up from a low 0.0028% in the 1880′s. The cause for this seems to be connected directly to the reengineering of our once natural food supply. It appears that certain essential nutrients have been removed from our foods for the sole purpose of extending its shelf life. But the problem grew even more intensive and dangerous. If we look to the same 100 year period, as we see the diabetes epidemic increase, we must also take note to what occurred within the food industry. As we do this, we have to notice the many coincidences that exist between the almost complete corruption of our food supply and our massive disease epidemic.

As one looks back on the efforts being made to substitute artificial food as the real thing, we will find that it goes back to the time of Napoleon. It has always been the enormous profits as being the motivation factor that is possible with artificial food. It was a Frenchman named Hippolyte Mege-Mouries that invented what is now known as Margarine. He did this in order to win a contest that was sponsored by Napoleon III for the invention of a palatable table fat. We patented his invention in England in 1869. Based on today’s standards, this Margarine was barely edible. It wasn’t until 1874 when Margarine was first introduced to us in America. It wasn’t too palatable, for it consisted of such things as Hog Fat, Gelatin, Fat, Bleach, Mashed Potatoes, Gypsum and Casein.

It was in 1899 when David Wesson established a vacuum and high temperature process for deodorizing cottonseed oil. It was the next year when he marketed “Wesson” oil. It took him over ten years to fully develop his hydrogenation process. Then in 1903, William Norman patented the hydrogenation process. This process was used to prevent unsaturated fatty acids from becoming rancid, by turning them into saturated fats.

It was then around 1911 that the artificial fat business actually began to take off. These artificial fats did not spoil and turn rancid as un-refrigerated natural products do. It was also this same year that Crisco came upon the food scene. Even the Jewish community accepted Crisco, because it was considered to be “Kosher”.

But, it wasn’t until the time of WWII that Margarine finally became popular in America, even though it was taking up around 40% of the market, since the 1920′s. Formerly prior to WWII, there had been restrictive laws against Margarine which were repealed, and then Margarine became the dietary staple, as was motherhood and apple pie. And soon after this, it was followed by Crisco and artificial lard. It was also during this same period that refined oils made great inroads into the market place and became attractive to the consumer. It was these refined oils that actually made the manufacturer look great to the housewives of that time. It seems that no one ever noticed that even the insects would not eat of these oils, when any was spilled.

But by this time, it was very evident that these artificial oils and other product were here to stay. No one ever seemed to take note, or gave any thought to the long term consequences on the health of the nation that came with these cheap artificial foods. The whole period that started in the 1930s up until the present, was increasingly proliferated by a market driven science, one that was out to change consumer food habits. The complete idea was to wean the consumers away from the animal fat and cold pressed vegetable fat and seeds that had worked and was healthy for generations, and entice them to the new refined oils. Saturated fat was declared to be bad by salespeople posing as scientists, and as well, by the real scientists that were prostituting their trade.

The American Eskimo, whose diet formally consisted of about 60% animal fat, remained healthy without any signs of diabetes for several generations. But, after they became wealthy from their pipeline revenue, they adopted the typical American diet of artificial foods. Then within one generation, they had degenerated health wise, to the same health status that was then considered normal in America.

As scientific studies increased, several misleading studies came out regarding artificial fats, and the oil companies asserted the value of “polyunsaturated” or “monounsaturated” oils to ones health. There is no law that says they must tell you the truth, that these are really “transfats”; so they will not tell you, that a “polyunsaturated transfat” and a “monounsaturated” transfat, are poisonous. A polyunsaturated Cis, or natural fat, is a desirable and necessary part of a healthy diet. So now you know!

So, due to all of this, it becomes more evident that the health trend will continue to worsen, and more and more people will continue on the path of becoming Type II diabetics. That is, without some kind of dietary change, such as the living food program.

With diabetes such an epidemic today, it is essential that you know exactly what it is. Why? Well, to prevent getting diabetes yourself that is!

In layman terms, “diabetes” is the inability of the body to process sugars properly. When we eat or drink, our “pancreas” produces a hormone called “insulin”. Insulin is released into the blood and helps to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Diabetes is a condition where this process does not function correctly.

The reason why diabetes occurs is because no insulin is being produced (often called Type 1 Diabetes) and requires the sufferer to use insulin injections, or insulin is produced but the body becomes resistant to it. This renders the insulin ineffective. This is normally called Type 2 Diabetes and is rapidly becoming more common.

The danger is that while diabetes is not immediately life threatening the long term effects of high blood sugar can be damaging to one’s health. Uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged high blood sugar levels can, in later life, cause problems to many organs including the kidneys, eyes, nerves and the heart.

This may sound grim, however controlling blood sugar by a combination of medicine, diet and exercise will vastly reduce the long term complications. Recent research shows that 2 in every 100 people have diabetes. Alarmingly half of these people do not even know they have it. Many people have diabetes without being aware of it because someone with diabetes looks no different from anyone else.

How do you find out if you have diabetes? The simplest way to check if you have diabetes is to arrange a blood sugar check with your doctor. A tiny sample of blood, obtained by pricking a finger is checked using a small electronic tester.

A normal blood sugar level is generally between 72 – 126 mg/dl or 4 – 7 mmol/l (where 1 mmol/l = 18mg/dl). If the body is unable to keep the blood sugar level within these limits, then diabetes is diagnosed. Diagnosis of diabetes can occur out of the blue during a routine check-up but more often it follows from the sufferer experiencing the “symptoms” of diabetes. These symptoms can be many or few, mild or severe depending on the individual.

Common Diabetes Symptoms:

Loss Of Weight – Glucose is the form of sugar which is the body’s main fuel. Diabetics cannot process this properly so it passes into the urine and out of the body. Less fuel means the body’s reserve tissues are broken down to produce energy with a resultant loss in weight.

Thirst – Often it seems no matter how much you drink your mouth still feels dry. The problem is compounded before diabetes is diagnosed by sufferers drinking huge amounts of sugary drinks! Of course this only increases the blood sugar level and leads to increased thirst.

Urinating More Often – Sufferers need to urinate often and pass large volumes each time. In addition this symptom takes no account of time so sleep is constantly disturbed by having to visit the bathroom during the night. It is a mistake to think this is caused by the increased thirst and drinking more. On the other hand, high sugar levels in the blood spill over into the urine making it syrupy. To counter-act this water is drawn from the body causing dehydration and therefore thirst.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms it does not necessarily follow that you are diabetic however it might be advisable to visit your doctor to be sure. If it does turn out that you have diabetes please do not panic! It can come as a shock and it will mean some changes in your life. While it is incurable it can be treated so the long term complications are reduced or even eliminated.

By knowing exactly what diabetes is – and recognizing the symptoms early on – you can prevent it from ever building up within you. Start today by monitoring your health and daily eating habits. Or as they say, preventing is better than finding a cure later on!

With obesity levels being at an all time high, the epidemic
of type 2 diabetes is growing at an alarming rate, and will
only get worse.

Between 2001 and 2002, the diagnosis of diabetes went from
5.5 percent of Americans to an alarming 6.5 percent. In
just one year!

Overall, twelve million Americans have been diagnosed and
another 5 million Americans have diabetes and don’t know
it. And yet another 12 millions are on their way to type 2
diabetes because of impaired glucose levels.

Not knowing is the worst because risks of untreated
diabetes puts us at a terrible risk of complications
including but not limited to blindness, amputations and
ultimately death.

The stickler is, that type 2 diabetes is almost completely
preventable. Doctor’s say eat less, eat better and
exercise. The numbers show just how many Americans are
currently overweight.

Statistically, people are now living longer, and it has
been on the rise for years. But this will not continue if
type 2 diabetes is not put under control.

We are a gluttonous society and ultimately it is affecting
how we live and how long we live.

And unfortunately, the diabetes epidemic is not just a US
problem. It is spreading worldwide with epidemic reports in
Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

It is estimated that by 2025, the number of diabetics
worldwide will rise to 380 million. And diabetes is now
affecting more of the young and middle-aged population in
developing countries between the ages of 40 and 59.