Matcha Tea: Can This Antioxidant Superfood Give You A Reboot?

Sometimes we all just need a boost. And for most of us, that zing in the tail comes from a lovely big shot of espresso.

Let's face it, most of us are pretty hooked on the brown stuff. And while I do my best not to guzzle too much coffee, I certainly couldn't live without - at the very least - extremely strong tea.ALL THE COFFEE (Yahoo)

But caffeine doesn't really agree with me. This much I know. It gives me the twitches and stops me sleeping even if I have it long before the 3pm cut off that's recommended. So really it's part of a vicious cycle of not sleeping, drinking coffee and, er, not sleeping that leaves me tired yet wired and probably not always operating on my A-Game.

So I've always been intrigued by Matcha Tea. Caffeinated sure, but not to the same levels as black tea and coffee and with a longer 'high' as it were, it sounds right right up my street.

When Bloom sent me some of its new tea powders I decided it was time to ditch the habit, and pick up one loved by Buddhist monks - because surely they've got a better idea of what's good for the body and mind than I do?Whisk up the green tea powder for a frothy drink (Yahoo)

Why Matcha Tea?

The highest grade of green tea you can get, Matcha is a very fine, bright green powder that you mix with hot water to make tea. It's part of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and is the most expensive and highly prized tea you can get.

It's very high in antioxidants but relatively low in caffeine, making it a good choice for those looking ot cut down. But though it does give a gentle caffeine lift, it also promises better concentration and alertness, over a longer period of time than you'd get from your cwaafeee.

That's because the amino acid L-Theanine present in the tea works with the caffeine to give you slow release energy.Tropical Match by Bloom Teas

What it promises

Matcha tea is said to speed up your metabolism, improve your concentration and boost your energy for up to four hours.

And the Bloom tea I tried awas the Tropical Matcha with mango which promises to taste nice.

What's it really like?

If you've ever tried Matcha tea you'll know it's something of an aquired taste. It's earthy in flavour and though not as bitter as standard green tea, it's not as easy to drink as a builder's brew.

So I was keen to try something that changed the taste without reducing the benefits. And this is a good bet.

Like all fruit teas, it smells more mango-ey than it tastes, but it definitely makes the Matcha more paletable if you're not keen.

Did it give me a tonne of energy?

Well I'm a big fan. I religiously supped my bright green brew every morning at around 11am and found it did give me the energy and concentration I usually lack. It's subtler than coffee - instead of a hit of caffeine careening around my body making me work at 100 miles an hour and then crash, the Matcha did seem to give me a longer energy boost and improved focus.

Plus, even better, it did this without giving me the shakes and twitches coffee and tea tend to, didn't stop me sleeping and didn't give me a crash and cravings for another hit a few hours later.

Did it speed up my metabolism?

Possibly. It's hard to tell in a month. I didn't lose a load of weight but I did feel generally more alert and the improved energy and concentration probably had something to do with a boosted metabolism.

So all in all, I'll be keeping the switch! And it gives me something to chat about with colleagues in the kitchen, which is always nice.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/blogs/health-blog/matcha-tea--can-this-antioxidant-superfood-give-you-a-reboot-183629991.html

9 Health Mistakes Women Don’t Realise They’re Making

Attention ladies; even if you think you’re a fitness and diet guru, we guarantee you’ll be making some of these health mistakes without even realising it.

Cut out these bad habits and you’ll be healthier before you know it.

Unhealthy friends?

Having unhealthy friends

Who you’re friends with can have a big influence on your health without you even realising.

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared obesity to a virus. When your friends gain weight, you’re more likely to gain weight yourself.

That doesn’t mean you need to ditch your friends as soon as they put on a couple of pounds – study author Dr Nicholas Christakis suggests instead taking cues from your healthier friends.

Only relying on cardio

“I can’t work out with weights because I don’t want to bulk up!” you proclaim as you follow the familiar route to the treadmill for the thousandth time. But is there any truth behind this popular excuse?

In short, no.

Far from bulking you up, building muscle will help you to shed the pounds. Experts estimate that for every pound of muscle you gain, you’ll burn an extra seven -13 calories per day.

Any fears you have of looking like She Hulk can be put to bed. Because of lower levels of testosterone, women don’t bulk up anywhere near as quickly as men.

Overusing social media

We all enjoy a sneaky Facebook stalk every once in a while, but do it too often and you could become depressed, according to researchers in Germany.

They found that overuse of Facebook can pose a serious risk to our mental wellbeing.

Checking out other people’s holiday photos was the major culprit, with one in three study participants reporting that this made them feel depressed or lonely.

Twitter is no better, with a University of Vermont study finding that Twitter users gradually become more stressed and unhappy the more they use the site.

Relying on diet products

When your sweet tooth is crying out for sugar, it can be tempting to turn to sugar-free diet options. Sadly these substitute snacks aren’t as guilt-free as you’ve been led to believe.

In place of sugar, manufacturers will often use nasty artificial alternatives to provide that sweet taste.

Aspartame, commonly found in diet drinks, was found to increase your risk of obesity by 41 per cent in a University of Texas Health Science Centre study.

Psychologists in a separate study at Cornell University observed that phrases like ‘sugar-free’ can subconsciously trigger overeating. In some cases, this meant people ate twice as many calories as they would have done if they opted for the full-sugar version.Don't become fixated on your abs (REX)

Focusing on stomach toning

All too often we become fixated on trying to develop a rock hard stomach by performing endless crunches. If this sounds like you, you’re wasting your time.

Want to know just how useless crunches are? A Men’s Health study found that you’d have to do a staggering 22,000 of them to lose just a pound of fat off your stomach.

If you want to lose weight, focus on high intensity interval training instead.

HIIT increases your metabolic rate for up to 24 hours after you exercise, and boosts fat oxidation.

Wearing high heels too often

Who can resist a pair of killer hills for accentuated legs and an instant confidence boost?

Wear them too frequently however, and your feet won’t be thanking you.

Wearing four-inch heels increases the pressure on your feet by around 30 per cent, leading to damaged tendons, reduced circulation and bone and nerve deterioration.Swap heels for flats occasionally and your feet will thank you (AP)

Not getting enough calcium

A recent survey conducted by Creighton University Medical Centre showed that 85% of women don’t get enough calcium per day, which leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

It’s recommended that women between the ages 19 to 50 need a daily calcium intake of 1,000mg.

Topping up on calcium is easy with dairy products like milk and natural yoghurt. If dairy doesn’t agree with you, you’ll also find high levels of calcium in fish such as salmon and sardines and even leafy veg.

Using electronics before bed

That one last game of Candy Crush you squeeze in before you hit the hay could be ruining your sleep pattern, if researchers in Sweden are to be believed.

They observed that people who use mobile phones or tablets directly before going to sleep found it harder to doze off, causing lasting health issues.

As well as displaying signs of insomnia, these pre-sleep tech-addicts suffered from headaches throughout the day.

Eating what your date eats

Next time you’re on a hot date, psychologists suggest you need to spend more time checking what’s on your plate than staring into your partner’s eyes.

University of Birmingham researchers have discovered a link between new relationships and weight gain, particularly in women.

According to their findings, when dining with a new partner you subconsciously mirror their portion sizes, which can lead to weight gain if they eat more than you’re used to.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-health-mistakes-women-don-t-realise-making-090000295.html

9 Winter Health Myths Busted

Winter does have its downsides. It’s cold, dark and the days just seem to disappear – where did the summer go? That being said, this super-cold season isn’t as bad as people believe.

If we catch a cold or put on a few pounds, we’re quick to blame winter. But in many instances, the season is wrongly accused. From oldwives tales to common misconceptions, we’re separating winter fact from fiction. 

   

Myth 1: You can’t exercise in winter

This would be a great excuse to kick off the running shoes and sit in front of the TV, but the truth is, exercising in winter is perfectly fine.  Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise claims that it’s actually better for you than running in warmer climates. The cold forces us to pick up the pace, encouraging a faster, harder workout. It burns calories and increases endorphin levels, resulting in a healthier, happier you.

Myth 2: The cold air makes you sick

A classic line from mum – ‘wrap up warm or you’ll catch a cold.’ And whilst the drop in temperature can exacerbate feelings of sickness, there’s no definitive proof that it causes a cold directly.  Only by coming into contact with the germs themselves can you become sick. Flu expert Doctor Thomas Tallman of Cleveland Clinic says we’re “more likely to catch a cold indoors, where it's warm and crowded than outdoors in the chilly air. 

Myth 3: Less sunlight causes depression

The combination of bad weather and shorter days can make us feel down in the dumps. However, there’s nothing to suggest that the lack of sunshine during winter causes widespread depression. Some do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during this time – a condition that triggers depression-like symptoms such as lethargy, tiredness and withdrawal from family and friends. But this only tends to affect a small percentage, 3-6% of people in the UK. Family and financial stresses are more likely to cause winter blues than a shortage of sunlight.

Myth 4: You can drink less in winter

Whilst you might not feel the need to drink as much water during winter, it’s important to always stay hydrated, whatever the season. During the summer months, the hot and humid climates make us sweat, and naturally we reach for an ice-cold drink. But as you’ll agree, this is less tempting when the temperatures hit freezing outside. Hydration effects everything from energy to concentration, so be sure to top-up the hot teas and water during winter.

Myth 5: Sun cream in winter? Don’t be silly

Despite the lack of sunshine, you still need to apply some level of protection to your skin during the colder months, especially if you’re jetting off for some winter sun. Even skiing and snowboarding trips come with risks. The UV rays reflect off the snow, and this can cause skin damage.

The sudden exposure to sunlight after being wrapped up indoors can have a huge impact on your skin, so it’s better to be on the safe side.  By using an SPF all year round, you reduce the risk of skin cancer and keep your skin looking smooth and healthy.

Myth 6: Winter = weight gain

As much as we’d like to blame the change in season for weight gain, research proves that we’ve no reason to eat more during winter. Medical Director of the Bariatric Institute in Ottawa, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff says “We do know that in hibernating animals there will be seasonal changes in hunger hormones, but there is nothing to suggest that that’s true in people.” The sudden desire for comfort food and cosy nights in comes from our wish to avoid the winter – the cold, the stress, the dark nights – not because we have a biological need to increase our calorie intake.

Myth 7: Winter makes the allergies disappear

If your winter cold won’t budge, it could be allergies. There’s a common misconception that summer is allergy season. However, winter brings its’ own irritants. Being stuck indoors; in warm, temperate climates can flair up itchy eyes, tickly throats and constant sneezes. The best way to distinguish between the two is the length of your symptoms – common colds only tend to last a few days, a week at the maximum. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, it’s likely to be allergies.

Myth 8: Winter makes your hair fall out

The stress of winter might cause your hair to fall out, but the season itself isn’t the culprit. Research even suggests that summer could potentially be the worst season for hair loss.  A 6-year study conducted by the University Hospital of Zurich found that the ladies tested lost the least amount of hair during winter. The cold can make hair dry and brittle, and reconditioning treatments can help with this.

Myth 9: Alcohol makes you warm

Winter is a great time for socialising, but remember: alcohol doesn’t increase your body’s temperature. The warm feeling you experience when enjoying a glass of wine or beer is the blood dilating and rushing to your cheeks, making them nice and rosy.  This is only temperamental and can be dangerous, as your body isn’t actually as warm as you think it is. You may misjudge the icy-cold temperatures because of the instant feeling alcohol provides – so be careful.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-winter-health-myths-busted-090000505.html

How To Get Rid Of A Cold And A Blocked Nose: 12 Remedies

Christmas colds are par for the course this season.

While everyone else is gearing up for the office party, you're all bunged up feeling sorry for yourself.

Sadly, there is no magical cure for the common cold, but there are plenty of things out there to help relieve symptoms such as sinus pains and blocked noses.

Cures for colds and blocked noses! [REX]

We've compiled a list of some of the best and most unusual pieces of advice, so you're not a snotty mess missing out on all the fun.

1. Break Out The Swiss Ball

If you're feverish, then don't attempt this, but as my fitness instructor always used to say "If you're only sick from the neck up, get back on that treadmill!"

The common cold shouldn't stop you from continuing with moderate exercise. In fact, gently working up a sweat can do wonders for seeing off a cold faster, thanks to the endorphin-producing, immune-boosting consequences of a workout.

2. Humifidiers

Blocked noses are really annoying. There are lots of places touting really expensive humidifiers, but actually this really simple steam in haler, for as little as £4.99, works in just the same way!

Simple steam inhaler [Medisure]

3. Coconut Water

Yeah yeah, we know, every man and his dog is trying to sell you on the benefits of coconut water. But besides it being the trendiest thing to drink since Fiji water, there is some evidence to prove it hydrates you at a faster rate than tap water.

And as any good Doctor will tell you, recovering from a cold is all about hydration, hydration, hydration!

(In the absence of coconut water, normal water will also work just fine).

4. Blow The RIGHT Way

Blowing your nose (rather than sniffing) can actually be good for you.

However, there IS a right way to go about it.

Trumpeting really hard isn't just annoying for everyone around you, it also risks damaging blood vessels and pushing the phlegm into the passages between your nose, throat and ears, leaving you open to earache.

The best way to blow is to press on one nostril and gently blow out of the other, in one swift motion. Then repeat on the other side.

5. Get In The Shower

Quite apart from making you feel generally refreshed, a steamy shower can work in the same way as a humidifier - clearing your sinuses.

A hot shower can make you feel better for a number of reasons [REX]

6. Allergy Tablets

Although you should always consult a doctor before using medicine other than for its intended use, tablets for allergies such as hayfever can be useful to those suffering from colds.

They often contain antihistamines, which in some forms can help decrease the swelling in your nasal passages and prevent you from feeling so stuffed up!

7. Raw Onion and Raw Garlic

Yep, it's gross, but eating raw onion and garlic can help. You won't make any friends doing this, but you might get over your cold faster in order to hang out with your old ones.

Cooking onion is thought to strip it of its antimicrobial properties.

Just knock it back! [REX]

8. Dark Chocolate

This isn't just to make you feel better after scarfing raw onion and garlic, but it might help wtih that too!

The theobromine in dark chocolate can help stop persistent coughs and soothe sore throats.

9. Vaporub Babies' Feet

If it's not you but your little one that is feeling ill, popular doctrine says massaging vaporub into their feet and then covering with socks is best practice.

This means the vaporub is far enough away from hands and mouths where it would risk ingestion, but it is able to be absorbed and effective.

Rub on their feet to get them to sleep [REX]

10. Hot Toddies For Everyone!

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, didn't you know.

Sitting around feeling sorry for yourself while missing out on the season's party drinks is no fun.

Hot whiskey and lemon might be an oldie, with limited medical efficacy, but it makes everyone feel better, so who cares right?

11. Saline Solution

Is there anything a bit of salt water can't cure?

Whether it's gargling it three times a day, to spraying it up your nose, saline solution (salt water) can help.

Try dissolving a heaped tablespoon of salt into half a cup of water.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-cold-and-a-blocked-nose--12-remedies-145022952.html

Comfort Eating Doesn't Work Says Science: Is Completely Wrong

Comfort eating does not work' says science, so step away from that tub you're emptying of ice cream and filling with tears.

Instead, it has discovered that most bad moods will get better on their own and food doesn't make a difference.

Er, Science, have you ever even BEEN in a bad mood?Pizza - Not a mood improver, apparently (Food Network)

Experiments deny food's importance

The research worked by putting 100 college students in the US in a bad mood (by the very scientific method of showing them sad clips from films) and then splitting them into groups to see how what they ate, or didn't eat, affected their mood.

And they found that it didn't really matter what they ate or if they ate at all. But as anyone who has emotionally eaten (even if you wouldn't consider yourself an 'emotional eater'), this experiment is, in our scientific opinion, complete rubbish.

Food is hugely important to us emotionally complex humans, and most women particularly will have had bouts where their relationship with it isn't the healthiest.

Whether it's restricting food as something to control in an otherwise rollercoaster life, to bonding with friends over a shared dessert or treating yourself to a take away when you've had a bad day at work, food is an important tool in our psychological make up.

Dr Pam Spurr says that around 70 per cent of women are 'emotional eaters' and that their mood can be a huge part of why healthy eating and dieting fails.

Because emotional eating isn't just having a cake when we're in a grump, it's a way to forget about problems, give yourself an instant mood boost and a fall back to deal with self esteem issues. It's certainly not about having a bar of chocolate after a sad film.Feeling grumpy? You could just wait it out... (REX)

Will any food do?

The research found that eating something seen as 'comfort food' such as pizza or ice cream, did make people feel better. But equally eating something a bit healthier improved mood too. That would suggest that it's more the process of eating that cheers us up.

But then, the students' moods improved with no food as well, suggesting it's really just a case of sitting it out until you feel better.

But if you're feeling down, which are you going to reach for - a carrot or a lovely slice of Victoria sponge?

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/comfort-eating-doesn-t-work-says-science--is-completely-wrong-113649636.html

Caffeine Could Seriously Harm Men's Fertility: Should We All Just Quit?

Caffeine has hit the headlines again as it's been found to seriously affect men's fertility. New research has found that drinking just two strong cups of Joe a day could halve their chances of conceiving a child.

We know that too much caffeine isn't super duper healthy for us, but can our beloved coffee and tea really be that harmful to our health? And are we unwittingly drinking far more than is healthy without even realising?Coffee - should we give up our caffeine fix?

In the past women have been warned not to overdo caffeine in pregnancy and there are studies suggesting it can raise the risk of miscarriage - so most women trying to conceive cut down anyway.

But this seems to be the first time men have been warned that their caffeine consumption could affect parenthood.

The research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston showed that men who drank 265gm of caffeine a day had the least chance of becoming fathers. Experts suggest this could be because caffeine may harm sperm at a molecular level.

And though men who aren't trying to conceive might not think that they have anything to worry about, it definitely raises questions about what else caffeine might be doing to our health that we have no idea about.

Last year the editor in chief of the Journal of Caffeine Research Dr Jack James suggested caffeine-containing products need health warnings similar to those found on cigarette packets.

Dr James, who is head of the department of psychology at Reykjavik University, Iceland, has claimed that we're all consuming way more caffeine than we think we are.

According to him, manufacturers include it in all kinds of products you wouldn't expect from chewing gum to painkillers.

But it's confusing because research and recommendations about caffeine seem very conflicted and ever changing. While some experts suggest we eschew is stuff is entirely, other studies have found that in small amounts, say two cups of coffee a day, it can be beneficial.

Some countries in Europe and Scandinavia are already taking action to regulate how much caffeine is used and in what products, but in the UK we still presume it to be more or less harmless.Coffee - Is it even worst for us than we thought? (REX)

Should we give up caffeine altogether?

Should we be ditching our coffee habits ASAP and do we need to be checking all the foods, drinks, medicines and even cosmetics we use to make sure we're not over-doing it?

It's suggested adults only consume 400mg of caffeine a day (two cups of instant coffee or four of tea). To put this into perspective, one large Starbucks coffee contains 360mg. So savour your morning cup as you shouldn't be drinking any more that day.

Though some studies have linked moderate caffeine consumption to better kidney function and a reduction in gallstones, and even heart benefits, experts remain cautious.

Migraine expert Dr Nicholas Silver, consultant neurologist at The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, told Yahoo! Lifestyle that he believed we could get rid of 80 per cent of chronic illnesses, sleep problems, migraines and headaches if we simply stopped consuming caffeine.If you suffer from headaches or migraines, try cutting out caffeine ©Rex

Women should also bear in mind that caffeine stops your body being able to absorb iron, which could end up leaving you deficient (anaemic) and making you feel more tired - and reaching for another cuppa.

But ultimately there is no right or wrong answer. Individuals respond differently to all drugs and caffeine is no differently. Signs of overdoing it include a racing heartbeat and palpitations, anxiety, an upset stomach, dizziness and insomnia.

If you are suffering from these, are feeling antsy, having troubles sleeping or regularly get headaches or migraines, you may want to try giving up caffeine to see if it helps.

However if you're a moderate coffee drinker and see no ill effects, there's no need to immediately ditch your favourite beverage - unless of course, you're a man having trouble conceiving, in which case get on the decaff stat.

Try swapping one of your daily coffees for a green or other herbal tea and see if you feel better for it. It still contains caffeine but at lower levels and with the added boost of healthy antioxidants.

[17 Amazing Facts About Coffee]
[9 Coffee Hacks To Perk Up Your Cup]

• https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/two-cups-of-coffee-a-day-could-seriously-affect-male-fertility-thanks-to-caffeine-levels-130541083.html

Could Broccoli Help Beat Autism?

We already know that Broccoli is something of a miracle veg, but now it seems that children and young people with autism could feel even more benefit from the tasty little trees.

The humble green veggies offer a wide range of essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C and calcium, as well as protecting against cancer, inflammation and even looking after your heart.Beautiful broccoli (Flickr/steffenz)

And researchers have been looking into how a particular chemical found in broccoli affects those with autism.

The chemical - sulforaphane - is what gives broccoli its slightly bitter taste, and the research at MassGen Hospital for Children and Johns Hopkins University in the US, seems to suggest it can calm autistic people and help them be more sociably comfortable.

Professor of pharmacology Dr Paul Talalay, who worked on the project said: "It was a small study but the effects were very, very large.

"We believe that this may be preliminary evidence for the first treatment for autism that improves symptoms by apparently correcting some underlying cellular mechanisms."

In the study 44 boys and men between the ages of 13 and 27 were either given a pill form of sulforaphane or a placebo before undergoing assessments on their behaviour.

Those who were given the real substance showed definite improvements - aggression and irritability were reduced, energy was increased and the subjects found it easier to communicate and socialise.

Though the trials were blind, both parents and researchers were able to tell which subjects had been given the real pill and which hadn't, because the change in behaviour was so great.

Researcher Dr Andrew Zimmerman said: "The results seen on the social responsiveness scale were particularly remarkable.

"I’ve been told this is the first time that any statistical improvement on the social responsiveness scale has been seen for a drug in autism spectrum disorder."Having a hot bath has been found to help temporarily reduce children's autism symptoms (REX)

Autism is a common disorder that's on the rise (in the UK diagnoses are 10 times higher than 30 years ago). It affects people's ability to communicate and socialise with others, often requiring very strict routine. Sufferers can become agitated and aggressive and find it hard to express themselves within normal social boundaries.

While many drugs help with individual symptoms, experts are still hunting for something that will tackle the condition as a whole.

Is there anything broccoli can't help with?

(Well actually, other substances in it, glucosinolates, are thought to affect iodine absorption and could potentially cause problems for people with thyroid conditions. If that's you, it's a good idea not to go overboard on your broccoli smorgasbord. But for most people you can chow down as much as you like.)

[Why An Autism City Could Help Our Children]
[Meet The Cancer-Fighting Super Broccoli]

• https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/could-broccoli-help-beat-autism-092230023.html