Green tea may protect DNA from damage, study suggests

Drinking green tea every day for a month may protect against damage at a genetic levels, with benefits linked to the beverage’s antioxidant content, says a new study. Combined results from a human supplementation trial and an in vitro study indicated a 20 percent reduction in levels of DNA damage, while measures of whole-body oxidative stress were unaffected, say findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Read article at nutraingredients.com

You may also find this site (about green tea et al) of interest:
the phytobiologicals.com website.

Eating dark chocolate every day could help guard against heart disease and stroke, new research has suggested.

Dark chocolate diet reduces risk of stroke and heart disease, study suggests
Article in the Telegraph

Extract:

"Patients with raised blood pressure who treated themselves to one 100 gramme bar per day saw their health improve significantly over a two week trial period.

The study led by scientists in America and Italy looked at 19 patients with high blood pressure.

For two weeks, the patients were given 100 grammes of white chocolate, which is not rich in flavanols - a health-giving antioxidant found in dark chocolate.

Their blood pressure and cholesterol levels were then measured.

After the fortnight their diet was changed so that they were given dark chocolate instead of white chocolate. After two weeks of eating dark chocolate, their blood pressure readings showed an impressive reduction. On average, their blood pressures fell by three millimetres of mercury."

I personally favour chocolate because it very seldom contains much salt so it is not 'fattening' - despite the widespread misinformation that claims that it is fattening.

It's also good for you because it is rich in magnesium, which helps to counter fluid retention, the cause of obesity.

But as regards blood pressure and cholesterol levels, the very best course of action of all is to avoid salt and salty food. This lowers both significantly and makes you feel much better.

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

vulnerable groups

See Sodium in foods

Associated health conditions

Food scientists have done tests and say they have evidence that organic produce is better for us than non-organic.

Organic IS healthier, say food scientists

Extracts:

"As the debate rages on about whether organically grown food is better for us than the "conventional" produce we have become used to, a new study sides firmly with organic.
Scientists found that some organic food is more healthy after tests on kiwi fruit grown by both methods.

The American researchers discovered that organically grown kiwis had significantly higher levels of vitamin C and polyphenols - compounds associated with health benefits including reducing cholesterol, improving circulation and preventing cancer."

"The researchers compared organic and non-organic kiwis grown next to each other on a farm in Marysville, California, at the same time. They found levels of sugars and acids were almost identical, so the flavour would be similar.

The organic fruit was darker and had thicker skin - likely to have developed as part of its defence against pests in the absence of pesticides.

It had 17 per cent more polyphenols - antioxidants that reduce the production in the body of harmful chemicals called free radicals. The organic produce was also found to have 14 per cent more vitamin C and greater concentrations of several important minerals such as potassium and calcium."

Purple grape juice, cloudy apple juice, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice - good for your heart

Purple grape juice 'best against heart disease'

Extract:

"Drinking purple grape or cloudy apple juice reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's more than orange, grapefruit or pineapple juice, scientists say.

Researchers who have carried out the first comprehensive analysis of the antioxidant content of fruit juices concluded some varieties have substantially greater health benefits than others.

The scientists from the University of Glasgow studied 13 different brands of fruit juices from a local supermarket, measuring the number and overall levels of polyphenols - antioxidants that reduce the production of harmful chemicals called free radicals.

The top five juices for polyphenol content were Welch's Purple Grape. Copella Cloudy Apple, Tropicana Tropical Fruit, Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Drink and Pomegreat Pomegranate Juice Drink.

The drink with the lowest polyphenol content was Tesco's Own Brand White Grape."

You can also lower your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity and many other chronic illnesses by eating less salt/sodium. - See http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/conditions.html

Lose weight by eating less salt! Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better! See my website www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk (The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)