Category: Brain Food

5 Benefits of Oolong Tea

9/20/2016

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Thinking about drink choices that are healthier? Oolong tea should be high on your list. Here are 5 benefits of drinking oolong tea.

Antioxidant

One study found that oolong tea may help prevent ovarian cancer from occurring. It is said to have natural antioxidant properties that specifically target this type of cancer.

Weight Loss Aid

Many swear by oolong tea’s ability to aid in weight loss. According to scientific studies, it can increase metabolism, burn fat, and block dietary fat absorption.

Mental Alertness

Drinking oolong tea is said to aid in mental alertness. This is likely due to the natural caffeine content.

Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

Oolong tea may help reduce the enzyme activities of streptococci bacteria. This bacteria has been known to cause formation of dental plaque, which can result in dental caries. Of the teas examined in a 1993 study, oolong was proven to have the most benefits.

Helps Ease High Blood Pressure & Certain Heart Conditions

One study claims that oolong tea can help reduce the blood concentration of triglycerides. These are the most common fats found in the body. It has also been found to reduce the body’s cholesterol level after just one month of regular drinking.

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Eat to Feed the Brain - Kids & Adults (Includes Food Suggestions and Meal Ideas)

11/27/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Photo via A Health Blog at Flickr.com

Your brain is an amazing thing. It controls your entire body. That said, we need to be sure we are taking proper care of our brains. The best way to do that is to eat food that enrich the brain's functions. Both kids and adults should eat to feed the brain. The 4 groups of foods that do this are fatty acids, amino acids, glucose, and micronutrients.

Fatty acids
(foods and supplements containing Omega-3 and Omega-6)

Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel, Trout, and other coldwater fishes
Evening Primrose
Borage
Black Currant Seed oils
Meat, Eggs, and Dairy (in moderation)

Amino Acids (Proteins)

Rice & Beans (combined)
Fish
Meat
Fowl
Eggs
Cheese
Yogurt
grains, legumes, seeds (these need to be combined to be complete proteins)

Glucose (carbohydrates)

Fruits
Whole grains
Vegetables

Micronutrients

Fruits
Vegetables

How to Manage

From the lists above, we can gather that the best brain foods are fruits and vegetables, fish, dairy, whole grains, and meat and legumes (in moderation). If your kids are a bit picky, try making kid-friendly combinations of the correct nutrients. You also may want to try slight variations to any of the meal suggestions to fit your child's taste. Just refrain from adding those nasty refined sugars. Sure they may taste good, but numerous studies have shown that sugar can be hazardous to the brain.

Breakfast ideas to feed the brain

Fruit Smoothies (berries, almonds or protein powder, kelp powder, flax meal)
Omelet (spinach and mushroom) with slice of whole grain bread with whole fruit spread or a side of orange slices
Yogurt with almonds and fruit slices
Whole grain pancakes with heavy whipping cream smiley faces, apple slices and almonds to make ears, eyes, and nose, and a glass of milk

Snack ideas to feed the brain

apple slices and almonds
carrot sticks and raisins
pears and walnuts
carrots and walnuts
applesauce
apple and banana slices
vanilla ice cream with pineapple slices
yogurt with fruit slices and almonds
smoothies

Lunch and dinner ideas to feed the brain

free-range turkey burgers, squash with organic butter, steamed spinach salad (romaine lettuce, carrots, snap peas, red cabbage, avocado, dressing - flax oil or walnut oil and lemon)
salmon, corn, string beans with almond slivers, salad (romaine lettuce, red cabbage, tomato, carrot, radish dressing, flax oil or walnut oil, and lemon)
vegetable stir-fry (olive oil, garlic, black beans, string beans, red peppers, zucchini, broccoli, almonds or peanuts) served over brown rice, sauerkraut
tempeh burgers, salad(lettuce, summer squash, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, dressing - extra virgin olive oil and lemon)
tomato soup salad (salmon or tuna, lettuce, spinach, red cabbage, zucchini, broccoli, tomato, sesame seeds, dressing - extra virgin olive oil and lemon)
chicken tostada (corn tortillas, chicken, sour cream, avocado, salsa)

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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5 Benefits of Oolong Tea

Eat to Feed the Brain - Kids & Adults (Includes Food Suggestions and Meal Ideas)

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