With the onset of winters and festivals around the corner, the air quality index  (AQI) is plunging each day in Delhi and other nearby areas. The poor air quality is causing many health issues like throat irritation, sneezing, and coughing in almost all the age group. Apart from respiratory issues, exposure to air pollution also gives a rise to cardiovascular disorders, fatigue, headache and anxiety since people are also skeptical to visit hospitals due to the coronavirus pandemic, they are mostly adhering to home-based remedies and various green teas to keep their health on check and strengthen their immunity system.

However, it is suggested that whenever somebody is stepping outside, wearing a mask that fits your face is essential as it will not only protect from COVID-19 infection but also will prevent inhaling harmful pollutant matters. It is quite likely that you will experience respiratory illnesses like cough, cold and congestion if you don’t adhere to precautions. We also need to introduce certain lifestyle changes to fight with the air pollution. One of such amendments is drinking green tea, which has become a staple of health because of its numerous benefits. One of these benefits is that it helps fight many kinds of damages that pollution does to our bodies.

Why one should take green tea?

The time we live in undergoes more environmental issues like global warming and rising air pollution than any other generation. The catechin content of green tea acts as a savior to fight the ill-effects of pollution in our body. The catechins are antioxidants, which fight and prevent cell damage. We all know, taking antioxidants regularly reduces the risks of oxidative damage, which would otherwise result in diseases such as various forms of cancer.

The same applies to many kinds of effects that pollution has on our bodies. In case of air pollution our lungs get oxidized resulting in damage to the respiratory system. But, Green tea’s antioxidants fight to reverse this damage. Even the presence of EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), a major polyphenolic compound, is found to exhibit a wide range of therapeutic properties, including:

• anti-oxidant
• anti-inflammatory
• anti-atherosclerosis
• anti-myocardial infarction
• anti-diabetes

Lemon and ginger green tea

Ginger is excellent for controlling cough, congestion and cold. Ginger is a natural antiviral which helps to fight against illness and bacteria that causes cold. Ginger can heal from nausea and reduce congestion. Lemon helps in strengthening the immune system. As lemons are rich in Vitamin C, this drink shields the body from disease-causing microbes and helps the body fight back without antibiotics.

Green Tea and Skin

Air pollution is not just a health concern. It is rapidly becoming a beauty issue not only in India but also globally. Toxic fumes from vehicles and industries are the primary cause of skin ageing in polluted cities. New research shows that air pollution causes wrinkles and premature ageing. Many studies suggest that both drinking green tea and applying it extracts can have benefits for your skin. Green tea extracts help with acne and help your skin look younger, but it also has the potential for helping to prevent melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Mr. Sundeip Bhatia
Business Head
India Shilpa Medicare Ltd

The post Air pollution – combat its effect with green tea appeared first on Health Vision.

You heard it right! Green tea can be a medicine for the people who are distress from diabetes, as per National Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy Survey report, the prevalence of diabetes in India in 2019 continues to be 11.8%, out of which known diabetes cases was 8.0% and new diabetes cases was 3.8%. The WHO predicted the global occurrence of diabetes among adults above 18 years of age as 8.5% in 2014.

To manage the growing graph of diabetes, our diet and lifestyle play a pivotal role. It is one such dietary supplement that can stimulate the production of insulin if you’re suffering from type 1 diabetes. And, compounds like polyphenols and EGCG Catechins, which do wonders for type 2 diabetic patients.

Before we delve into the benefits for diabetic people,  we first need to know what is diabetes and what are the types of diabetes to understand the role green tea plays in better way.

Diabetes and Its Types

Diabetes occurs because of the high levels of blood sugar (glucose) in the body. The blood sugars in human body are usually controlled by the insulin hormone, which is generated by the pancreas. In a diabetics, pancreas cannot generate insulin hormone in an adequate quantity or there is a problem with how the body cells’ respond to it.

Diabetes are of 2 types:

Diabetes type 1 – Occur when the pancreas stops creating insulin hormone. Daily injection of insulin is the only treatment for this type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is generally recognized in children and young adults, even though it can emerge at any time.

Diabetes type 2. This type of diabetes is the universal form of diabetes. This type of diabetes could occur because of insufficient physical activity, poor diet, stress, family history and obesity. If not managed or controlled in its initial stage, this can be fatal.

Reasons why green tea is beneficial

1.Increases insulin production in body

If the individual is suffering from type 1 diabetes, it gets difficult for the body to produce insulin. Some studies evidence that green tea could stimulate your body to produce the insulin, which then will control your sugar levels and transform the nutrients from the food that you just ate into energy. Further, green tea will may also aid in maximizing the functions of the pancreas, which is very significant in the production of insulin. Some studies also suggest that green tea could protect the pancreatic beta cells from any damages.

2. Treats Hyperglycemia

High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) alongside glucose intolerance is the main reason why diabetes can occur to people. Hyperglycemia, if not addressed, will discharge the oxidative stress which leads to other illness, like diabetic retinopathy.  This diabetic retinopathy will lead to blindness and deafness if you’re not treating it as soon as possible.

3. EGCG catechins reduces excess fat from the body

Green tea contains certain types of flavonoid called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG catechins), which helps in burning body fat and increases the fat oxidation. Extra fat in human body usually leads to diabetes. EGCG catechins also improve the tolerance against glucose, thereby protecting the individual from developing diabetes type 1. In addition to that, EGCG catechins are also beneficial to protect you from diabetes type 2. Evidence has shown that regularly drinking green tea for 12 weeks (3 months) reduces waist circumference and also has higher levels of adiponectin hormone, which is responsible for lowering the fat accumulation.

4. Stimulates metabolism

Uncontrollable rise of blood sugar levels leads to diabetes. By drinking green tea, the creation of adrenaline hormone that may increase and blood sugar levels will be drop.It is widely known for its ability to stimulate the metabolism, as well as improve immune system which means that there is more energy and blood for use by the brain. This soothing situation will avoid any symptoms related with stress, depression, or anxiety. Lowered levels of stress will be very important for the people who suffer from diabetes.

5. Prevents from obesity

For type 2 diabetes patients, obesity can be fatal. Therefore, drinking a hot beverage like green tea cuts down the extra fat from the body as it helps to burn the calories. It can lower your fatty acids and triglyceride levels which will control obesity and will prevent any complications that may arrive around people with obesity problems.

6. Polyphenols in green tea has anti-diabetic properties

Polyphenols in a green tea is an antioxidant which has anti-diabetic properties. These anti-diabetic properties will inhibit the oxidative stress and increase the glucose tolerance. Consequently, the polyphenols in green tea can aid in diabetes management.

Health experts recommend that people suffering from diabetes need to consume at least four cups of green tea a day. It ought to be taken without adding sugar, milk or cream. The desirable time to drink this beverage is morning. But Consuming this alone will not help in reducing diabetes. You also need to make healthy activities like regular exercising, eating the right food to keep yourself fit and strong and taking your medicines on time.

Mr Sundeip Bhatia
Business Head- India
Shilpa Medicare Ltd, Hyderabad

The post Green tea is best for diabetic patients appeared first on Health Vision.

With the ready- to-drink green tea market size is expected to be USD 3,515 million worldwide by the end of 2021, it illustrates that your humble cup of green tea is wooing people all over for its oodles of health benefits. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has shifted the people’s focus on health once again and this rising health consciousness, value addition and strong growth of online retail are the key factors in driving the green tea market not only in India but also globally.

Even the mushrooming café culture, where various hot beverages adorn the a la carte menus including variants of green tea, has shown that now drinking tea is not merely a home ritual. It has very much become a part of not only leisure drinks but also health beverage in metro, tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The green tea market is also leaving no stone unturned to cash in on this popularity of the healthy drink among the millennials. They are doing many experiments with exotic ingredients such as wine, chocolate and floral elements to cash in on the enduring trend.

Here are some of the green tea trends that are driving the ready-to-drink green tea market:

Green tea films/strips

The Green tea disintegrating strip completely disintegrates in hot water and won’t remain any residual matter. It gives accurate dose as per the label claims. Green tea disintegrating strips contain 120mg of green tea extract which contains 98% Polyphenol content and 50-60% of EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), which gives antioxidant properties to them.

In disintegrating strips, there is no loss of nutrients, aroma, essential oils and flavour, so that we will get the intended effect of green tea. Green T Films are packed in plastic-free covers and one just needs to dip the film in hot water unlike the traditional Green Tea where we dip it with the help of plastic tea bags. The best part about Green T Films is that with every sip, the consistency of tea remains the same.

Iced Green tea

Iced green teas are just perfect for a hot and sultry day. It will provide cool refreshment on a hot day, and the beverage comes with a host of health perks you won’t get from a can of soda. Some bottled versions can be heavy in sugar, however, and potency can vary. Making your own tea at home can help ensure the healthiest beverage possible. Brew your tea at home and chill it in the refrigerator or pour it over ice and mint.

Green Tea capsules

Green tea capsules contain the extracts of green tea. It assists weight loss by boosting metabolism. Green tea extract capsules are high in antioxidants to support immune function, energy and overall health and well-being. Green tea capsules need to be swallowed whole and not to be chewed or bitten.

Instant green teas

This latest trend of green tea is for people, who want to enjoy tea but do not have time to brew the tea. This instant tea is very convenient and easy to prepare. You just need to put a certain tsp of instant tea powder into a regular bottle of water, then shake and drink. You get all the health benefits, aroma, and taste of loose leave green tea in an instant. It is great for all occasions.

Loose leaf

Loose green tea contains those young tea shoots harvested in the early season. Therefore, only loose leaves have the highest quantity of those young tea shoots. Scientific studies have shown that young tea shoots contain the highest level of theanine and EGCG. Theanine promotes calmness and aid concentration. EGCG is the most powerful and abundant antioxidants present in green tea. They also have the better value for money than any other variants.

Mr. Sundeip Bhatia
Business Head, India
Shilpa Medicare Ltd

The post Green tea trends giving the business new high appeared first on Health Vision.

In Indian households, tea is one of the most enjoyed hot beverages. With the advent of green tea, this healthy drink has taken the place of black or milk tea and coffee. And, the reason behind their growing popularity is they come with truck loads of health benefits besides providing the raw and aromatic flavor of tea. Green tea comes from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, which is a small shrub that is quite common in East Asia and India. Filled with antioxidants, polyphenols and EGCG ((Epigallocatechin gallate)green tea does wonder to our body and helps in fighting many chronic diseases. While the drink has been enjoyed for quite a sometime, even today, scientists continue to uncover new and exciting benefits of the beverage.

Health benefits of green tea:

1.Green tea helps boosting immunity : Incorporating foods like green tea into our diet will help strengthen our bodies by raising our immune system, which may actually prevent some illnesses from flaring up. Various researches suggest that green tea will help keep illnesses at bay. Speak to doctor once to see if drinking green tea is a healthy choice for you to incorporate into your diet. Remember, green tea is caffeinated, so drink in moderation or consider buying a decaffeinated version. Since green tea leaves are slightly steamed before drying, so the nutrients are preserved intact unlike black tea or any other fermented tea, where many nutrient values get lost in the environment while processing the tea leaves.

2. Fat burning property which leads to weight reduction : Green tea increases fat burning and boost metabolic rate.  A 2009 meta-analysis of studies in this area found that drinking catechin-rich green tea significantly reduced body weight. The same analysis also suggested that people, who drank green tea were more likely to maintain a healthy weight after significant weight loss. Caffeine present in the green tea also improves physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from fat tissue and making them available for use as energy.

3. Cancer prevention : Cancer, which is the leading cause of death globally, is the growth of uncontrolled cells in a particular section of the body. Research has shown that oxidative damage can lead to chronic inflammation, which can lead to chronic diseases, including cancers. Therefore, antioxidants can help protect against oxidative damage. Research has linked green tea compounds including EGCG has been shown to reduce the growth of breast and prostate tumors.

4.Green tea catechins may improve brain function : This green tea contains a host of antioxidants known as catechins and flavonoids that give it a unique flavor and also offer extensive health benefits for cognitive function. Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is found almost exclusively in tea plants. L-theanine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, meaning that it sends signals to neurons. Several studies have shown that L-theanine appears to increase alpha-wave generation in the human brain, signalling a state of relaxation and thereby improving the brain function.

5. Green tea EGCG is great for skin and hair :   Not only green tea helps you to keep many chronic diseases at bay, but also it helps to make you look youthful. Many beauty products use green tea extracts for anti-inflammatory reasons. The antioxidants in the green tea protect you from harmful UV rays, oxidative stress, photo damage and skin cancer. It also helps to nourish your hair.

6. Green tea oxidants reduces PCOS in women: PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is one of the leading hormonal diseases in women. According to PCOS society, every one in five woman has PCOS. According to a study in the May 2005 issue of the journal Carcinogenesis, the blood estrogen levels were 13 percent lower in women who regularly drink green tea, when compared to irregular green tea drinkers. Antioxidants in green tea help in lowering this stress, thereby helping to reduce many symptoms of PCOS. Green tea is rich in a compound called L-theanine that is known to reduce anxiety and calm the mind.

Mr. Sundeip Bhatia
Business Head- India
Shilpa Medicare Ltd.,Hyderabad.

The post Polyphenols and EGCG: Health benefits of green tea  appeared first on Health Vision.