Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Powerful Disease Fighting Antioxidants
Antioxidants in Green and Black Tea
Tea is brimming with antioxidants, the disease-fighting compounds that help your body stave off illness.
By Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
Read the tea leaves, caffeine lovers. Tea is gaining ground over coffee. Even Starbucks is bucking up its tea menu. The health benefits of tea are one compelling reason: Green and black teas have 10 times the amount of antioxidants found in fruits and veggies, by one estimate.
Studies of humans and animals show that the antioxidants in black and green teas are highly beneficial to our health, says 82-year-old John Weisburger, PhD, senior researcher at the Institute for Cancer Prevention in Valhalla, N.Y.
"I've published more than 500 papers, including a hell of a lot on tea," says Weisburger, who drinks 10 cups daily. "I was the first American researcher to show that tea modifies the metabolism to detoxify harmful chemicals."
Green tea, black tea, oolong tea -- they all come from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis. The leaves are simply processed differently, explains Weisburger. Green tea leaves are not fermented; they are withered and steamed. Black tea and oolong tea leaves undergo a crushing and fermenting process.
All teas from the camellia tea plant are rich in polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant. These wonder nutrients scavenge for cell-damaging free radicals in the body and detoxify them, says Weisburger. "Astounding" aptly describes tea's antioxidant power, he tells WebMD. "Whether it's green or black, tea has about eight to 10 times the polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables."
Black and green both have different types of antioxidants than fruits and vegetables. Thearubigins, epicatechins, and catechins are among those listed in a USDA chart. All are considered flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Brewed green and black teas have loads of those, the chart shows. (Herbal teas may also contain antioxidants but less is known about them, Weisburger says.)
"In my lab, we found that green and black tea had identical amounts of polyphenols," he tells WebMD. "We found that both types of tea blocked DNA damage associated with tobacco and other toxic chemicals. In animal studies, tea-drinking rats have less cancer."
Look at the world's big tea drinkers, like Japan and China. "They have much less heart disease and don't have certain cancers that we in the Western world suffer," says Weisburger.
Green Tea, Black Tea: Packed With Antioxidants
"The scientific evidence about tea is evolving and I think it's compelling," Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, tells WebMD.
Tea is a great example of the past decade's research of antioxidants, he says. "There is a pretty consistent body of evidence suggesting there is a benefit to tea. Tea is a very rich source of a specific kind of antioxidant called flavonoids."
The detoxifying effect of these antioxidants protects cells from free radicals, the damage that can lead to blood clot formation, atherosclerosis, and cancer, says Weisburger.
Tea is brimming with antioxidants, the disease-fighting compounds that help your body stave off illness.
By Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
Read the tea leaves, caffeine lovers. Tea is gaining ground over coffee. Even Starbucks is bucking up its tea menu. The health benefits of tea are one compelling reason: Green and black teas have 10 times the amount of antioxidants found in fruits and veggies, by one estimate.
Studies of humans and animals show that the antioxidants in black and green teas are highly beneficial to our health, says 82-year-old John Weisburger, PhD, senior researcher at the Institute for Cancer Prevention in Valhalla, N.Y.
"I've published more than 500 papers, including a hell of a lot on tea," says Weisburger, who drinks 10 cups daily. "I was the first American researcher to show that tea modifies the metabolism to detoxify harmful chemicals."
Green tea, black tea, oolong tea -- they all come from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis. The leaves are simply processed differently, explains Weisburger. Green tea leaves are not fermented; they are withered and steamed. Black tea and oolong tea leaves undergo a crushing and fermenting process.
All teas from the camellia tea plant are rich in polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant. These wonder nutrients scavenge for cell-damaging free radicals in the body and detoxify them, says Weisburger. "Astounding" aptly describes tea's antioxidant power, he tells WebMD. "Whether it's green or black, tea has about eight to 10 times the polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables."
Black and green both have different types of antioxidants than fruits and vegetables. Thearubigins, epicatechins, and catechins are among those listed in a USDA chart. All are considered flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Brewed green and black teas have loads of those, the chart shows. (Herbal teas may also contain antioxidants but less is known about them, Weisburger says.)
"In my lab, we found that green and black tea had identical amounts of polyphenols," he tells WebMD. "We found that both types of tea blocked DNA damage associated with tobacco and other toxic chemicals. In animal studies, tea-drinking rats have less cancer."
Look at the world's big tea drinkers, like Japan and China. "They have much less heart disease and don't have certain cancers that we in the Western world suffer," says Weisburger.
Green Tea, Black Tea: Packed With Antioxidants
"The scientific evidence about tea is evolving and I think it's compelling," Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, tells WebMD.
Tea is a great example of the past decade's research of antioxidants, he says. "There is a pretty consistent body of evidence suggesting there is a benefit to tea. Tea is a very rich source of a specific kind of antioxidant called flavonoids."
The detoxifying effect of these antioxidants protects cells from free radicals, the damage that can lead to blood clot formation, atherosclerosis, and cancer, says Weisburger.
Powerful Disease Fighting Antioxidants, Part Two
w
Green Tea, Black Tea: Packed With Antioxidants continued...
The bulk of research shows that regular tea drinkers, people who drink two cups or more a day, have less heart disease and stroke, lower total and LDL (often called "bad") cholesterol, and that they recover from heart attacks faster.
Some laboratory tests also show that black and green tea may help boost metabolism to aid weight loss, block allergic response, slow the growth of tumors, protect bones, fight bad breath, improve skin, protect against Parkinson's disease, and even delay the onset of diabetes.
In a study involving bladder cancer cells, green tea extract seemed to make the cancer cells behave oddly. They matured sooner, bound together tightly, and had a hard time multiplying. Another study found that men who drank oolong tea plus green tea extract lost more weight and total body fat, compared with men who drank plain oolong tea. Also, the green tea drinkers had lower LDL cholesterol.
Other small studies have found that the antioxidants from drinking tea can help prevent skin cancer. There's also evidence that tea extracts applied to the skin (in a lotion) can block sun damage that leads to skin cancer.
All this research seems to suggest that if you want to do something good for yourself, drink tea. "It has no calories and lots of polyphenols. If you're drinking tea, you're not drinking soda -- that's a real benefit. Water doesn't give you those polyphenols," says Blumberg.
Weisburger recommends drinking six to 10 cups of black or green tea throughout the day, starting with breakfast. Switch to decaf tea midday, if you need to. "Flavonoids are unchanged by removal of caffeine," he says.
Green Tea, Black Tea: Packed With Antioxidants continued...
The bulk of research shows that regular tea drinkers, people who drink two cups or more a day, have less heart disease and stroke, lower total and LDL (often called "bad") cholesterol, and that they recover from heart attacks faster.
Some laboratory tests also show that black and green tea may help boost metabolism to aid weight loss, block allergic response, slow the growth of tumors, protect bones, fight bad breath, improve skin, protect against Parkinson's disease, and even delay the onset of diabetes.
In a study involving bladder cancer cells, green tea extract seemed to make the cancer cells behave oddly. They matured sooner, bound together tightly, and had a hard time multiplying. Another study found that men who drank oolong tea plus green tea extract lost more weight and total body fat, compared with men who drank plain oolong tea. Also, the green tea drinkers had lower LDL cholesterol.
Other small studies have found that the antioxidants from drinking tea can help prevent skin cancer. There's also evidence that tea extracts applied to the skin (in a lotion) can block sun damage that leads to skin cancer.
All this research seems to suggest that if you want to do something good for yourself, drink tea. "It has no calories and lots of polyphenols. If you're drinking tea, you're not drinking soda -- that's a real benefit. Water doesn't give you those polyphenols," says Blumberg.
Weisburger recommends drinking six to 10 cups of black or green tea throughout the day, starting with breakfast. Switch to decaf tea midday, if you need to. "Flavonoids are unchanged by removal of caffeine," he says.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
10 GREAT FALL FESTIVALS
By Liz Gray, FineLiving.com
Fall is finally here -- kids are back in school, leaves are starting to change and festival season is in full swing. These 10 classic festivals celebrate autumn's bounty with seasonal food and kitschy American traditions.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Bardstown, Ky., September 15-20, 2009
Since 1776, the people of Bardstown, Ky., have been making Bourbon. Each year, the "Bourbon Capital of the World" puts on a fall festival to celebrate the spirit. Sample bourbon and tour local distilleries, learn the ancient craft of barrel-making and learn to cook with the savory spirit. If you live for a good competition, try your hand at the cornhole or horseshoe classic. Or, head to the family fun area for interactive games, hot air balloons, train rides and more. Visit the Bourbon Festival Web site at www.kybourbonfestival.com for more information.
Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey, Calif., September 18-20, 2009
Held every September since 1958, the Monterey Jazz Festival is a three-day extravaganza dedicated to perpetuating jazz. This year's festival features jazz greats like Pete Seeger, the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Winton Marsalis, as well as panel discussions, workshops and an international array of food and shopping spread throughout the 20-acre Monterey Fairgrounds. Visit the Montery Jazz Festival Web site at www.monteryjazzfestival.org for more information.
Bristol Mum Festival
Bristol, Conn., September 25 to October 11, 2009
Chrysanthemums are the quintessential fall flower, and Bristol, Conn., is the self-proclaimed "Mum City U.S.A." The festival's main attraction is the plush six-acre carpet of brilliant color that graces Chippens Hill each fall. This year, more than 115 varieties of mums will be on display. Once you've seen the mums, the three-weekend festival offers a wide array of activities: an Oktoberfest the first weekend, an antique auto show the second weekend, and a "Mum-a-Thon" foot race the third. Though the festival officially ends in mid-October, you can see the mum display until November 1, when the flowers will be cut down to begin the growing cycle for next year. Visit the Mum Festival Web site at www.bristolmumfestival.org for more information.
Mountain State Forest Festival
Elkins, W.V., September 26 to October 4, 2009
The Mountain State Forest Festival, a staple on the fall festival circuit since 1930, is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the state's trees and natural resources. More than 125,000 visitors flock to Elkins, W.V., each year to watch lumberjack-style events, like chainsaw carving and the "Strongest Man of the Forest" competition, and experience the state's beautiful fall foliage. For classic car lovers, there's also an antique, classic and street rod parade on October 3. Visit the Mountain State Forest Festival Web site at www.forestfestival.com for more information.
Sonoma Harvest Fair
Santa Rosa, Calif., October 2-4, 2009
Fall is grape harvest time in Sonoma Valley -- the perfect excuse for a fall festival. Taste the wares of more than 150 wineries, see chef demonstrations and taste local microbrews. Let the kids try their hand at agricultural activities, from cow-milking to bee-keeping to pumpkin-tossing. Then, try your hand (or rather, feet) in the World Championship Grape Stomp. If you and a partner can stomp grapes into juice faster than anyone else, you could win 4 plane tickets to anywhere, $1,000 dollars to spend on your trip, and, of course, the glory of being a world-champion. Visit the Sonoma Harvest Fair Web site at www.harvestfair.org for more information.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, N. M., October 3-11, 2009
For nine days in October, New Mexico skies are painted with hundreds of hot-air balloons, from the whimsical to the wild. Enjoy the colorful balloons from the ground, or charter a balloon for a bird's-eye view of Albuquerque. At dusk , look up for the "Balloon Glow" -- hundreds of balloons lit from within ascend at once, creating an amazing sight that's one of the festival's most popular events. Visit the Balloon Fiesta Web site at www.balloonfiesta.com for more information.
Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze
Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., October 3-4, 10-12, 16-18, 28-November 1
Halloween is a big deal in the Hudson River Valley, home to the infamous ledgend of Sleepy Hollow. The month-long Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze features more than 4,000 hand-carved pumpkins lit up through the landscape of Van Cortlandt Manor, arranged in designs like snakes, spider webs, a colossal Pumpkin Henge and even a replica of Henry Hudson's ship Half Moon. Visit the Jack-o-Lantern Blaze Web site at www.hudsonvalley.org for more information.
Scarecrow Festival
St. Charles, Illinois, October 9-11, 2009
The heart of the Scarecrow Festival on the bank of the Chicago suburb's Fox River is -- you guessed it -- the scarecrows. Hundreds of people submit hand-crafted scarecrows decorated by theme, like the 175th anniversary of the city this year. Guests vote on the harvest art to see who will reign supreme. The festival also includes a craft show with more than 150 local artisans. Visit the Scarecrow Festival Web site at www.scarecrowfest.com for more information.
Feast of the Hunter's Moon
Lafayette, Indiana, October 10-11, 2009
The Feast of the Hunter's Moon is a re-creation of the annual fall gathering of the French and Native Americans that took place at Fort Ouiatenon, a fur-trading outpost in the mid-1700s. Take in traditional French and Native American music like fife and drum corps performances, see traditional military drills and demonstrations and learn how tools and baskets were made in the 18th century. Then, sample more than 50 French, Native American and English foods adapted from original recipes and served by costumed participants, like fry bread and buffalo. Visit the Feast of the Hunter's Moon Web site at www.tcha.mus.in.us/feast.htm for more information.
Florida Seafood Festival
Apalachicola, Florida, November 6-7, 2009
The Florida Seafood Festival celebrates all things aquatic for the 46th time this year. After the Miss Florida Seafood and King Retsyo, the festival's mascot, float in during the annual parade, it's time for competition galore. Watch competitive eaters battle it out to see who can consume the most oysters in 15 minutes -- sometimes as many as 300! Or, see who qualifies to go on to the national oyster-shucking competition. For some competition of your own, try your luck at the kid-friendly blue crab races, and don't forget to save room for fresh, delicious seafood. Visit the Florida Seafood Festival at www.floridaseafoodfestival.com for more information.
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© 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.
Fall is finally here -- kids are back in school, leaves are starting to change and festival season is in full swing. These 10 classic festivals celebrate autumn's bounty with seasonal food and kitschy American traditions.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Bardstown, Ky., September 15-20, 2009
Since 1776, the people of Bardstown, Ky., have been making Bourbon. Each year, the "Bourbon Capital of the World" puts on a fall festival to celebrate the spirit. Sample bourbon and tour local distilleries, learn the ancient craft of barrel-making and learn to cook with the savory spirit. If you live for a good competition, try your hand at the cornhole or horseshoe classic. Or, head to the family fun area for interactive games, hot air balloons, train rides and more. Visit the Bourbon Festival Web site at www.kybourbonfestival.com for more information.
Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey, Calif., September 18-20, 2009
Held every September since 1958, the Monterey Jazz Festival is a three-day extravaganza dedicated to perpetuating jazz. This year's festival features jazz greats like Pete Seeger, the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Winton Marsalis, as well as panel discussions, workshops and an international array of food and shopping spread throughout the 20-acre Monterey Fairgrounds. Visit the Montery Jazz Festival Web site at www.monteryjazzfestival.org for more information.
Bristol Mum Festival
Bristol, Conn., September 25 to October 11, 2009
Chrysanthemums are the quintessential fall flower, and Bristol, Conn., is the self-proclaimed "Mum City U.S.A." The festival's main attraction is the plush six-acre carpet of brilliant color that graces Chippens Hill each fall. This year, more than 115 varieties of mums will be on display. Once you've seen the mums, the three-weekend festival offers a wide array of activities: an Oktoberfest the first weekend, an antique auto show the second weekend, and a "Mum-a-Thon" foot race the third. Though the festival officially ends in mid-October, you can see the mum display until November 1, when the flowers will be cut down to begin the growing cycle for next year. Visit the Mum Festival Web site at www.bristolmumfestival.org for more information.
Mountain State Forest Festival
Elkins, W.V., September 26 to October 4, 2009
The Mountain State Forest Festival, a staple on the fall festival circuit since 1930, is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the state's trees and natural resources. More than 125,000 visitors flock to Elkins, W.V., each year to watch lumberjack-style events, like chainsaw carving and the "Strongest Man of the Forest" competition, and experience the state's beautiful fall foliage. For classic car lovers, there's also an antique, classic and street rod parade on October 3. Visit the Mountain State Forest Festival Web site at www.forestfestival.com for more information.
Sonoma Harvest Fair
Santa Rosa, Calif., October 2-4, 2009
Fall is grape harvest time in Sonoma Valley -- the perfect excuse for a fall festival. Taste the wares of more than 150 wineries, see chef demonstrations and taste local microbrews. Let the kids try their hand at agricultural activities, from cow-milking to bee-keeping to pumpkin-tossing. Then, try your hand (or rather, feet) in the World Championship Grape Stomp. If you and a partner can stomp grapes into juice faster than anyone else, you could win 4 plane tickets to anywhere, $1,000 dollars to spend on your trip, and, of course, the glory of being a world-champion. Visit the Sonoma Harvest Fair Web site at www.harvestfair.org for more information.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, N. M., October 3-11, 2009
For nine days in October, New Mexico skies are painted with hundreds of hot-air balloons, from the whimsical to the wild. Enjoy the colorful balloons from the ground, or charter a balloon for a bird's-eye view of Albuquerque. At dusk , look up for the "Balloon Glow" -- hundreds of balloons lit from within ascend at once, creating an amazing sight that's one of the festival's most popular events. Visit the Balloon Fiesta Web site at www.balloonfiesta.com for more information.
Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze
Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., October 3-4, 10-12, 16-18, 28-November 1
Halloween is a big deal in the Hudson River Valley, home to the infamous ledgend of Sleepy Hollow. The month-long Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze features more than 4,000 hand-carved pumpkins lit up through the landscape of Van Cortlandt Manor, arranged in designs like snakes, spider webs, a colossal Pumpkin Henge and even a replica of Henry Hudson's ship Half Moon. Visit the Jack-o-Lantern Blaze Web site at www.hudsonvalley.org for more information.
Scarecrow Festival
St. Charles, Illinois, October 9-11, 2009
The heart of the Scarecrow Festival on the bank of the Chicago suburb's Fox River is -- you guessed it -- the scarecrows. Hundreds of people submit hand-crafted scarecrows decorated by theme, like the 175th anniversary of the city this year. Guests vote on the harvest art to see who will reign supreme. The festival also includes a craft show with more than 150 local artisans. Visit the Scarecrow Festival Web site at www.scarecrowfest.com for more information.
Feast of the Hunter's Moon
Lafayette, Indiana, October 10-11, 2009
The Feast of the Hunter's Moon is a re-creation of the annual fall gathering of the French and Native Americans that took place at Fort Ouiatenon, a fur-trading outpost in the mid-1700s. Take in traditional French and Native American music like fife and drum corps performances, see traditional military drills and demonstrations and learn how tools and baskets were made in the 18th century. Then, sample more than 50 French, Native American and English foods adapted from original recipes and served by costumed participants, like fry bread and buffalo. Visit the Feast of the Hunter's Moon Web site at www.tcha.mus.in.us/feast.htm for more information.
Florida Seafood Festival
Apalachicola, Florida, November 6-7, 2009
The Florida Seafood Festival celebrates all things aquatic for the 46th time this year. After the Miss Florida Seafood and King Retsyo, the festival's mascot, float in during the annual parade, it's time for competition galore. Watch competitive eaters battle it out to see who can consume the most oysters in 15 minutes -- sometimes as many as 300! Or, see who qualifies to go on to the national oyster-shucking competition. For some competition of your own, try your luck at the kid-friendly blue crab races, and don't forget to save room for fresh, delicious seafood. Visit the Florida Seafood Festival at www.floridaseafoodfestival.com for more information.
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© 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.
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