Tag: green tea

Health Benefits of Green Tea and Honey

Health Benefits of Green Tea and Honey

Posted on by Michael Brown
Green tea and honey

Are you looking for a healthy, great-tasting beverage that is good for your body? 

We all know the benefits of drinking water, but sometimes you need something different. 

What if I told you there is a drink that can lower cholesterol levels, help fight free radicals, help you with weight loss, and even strengthen your immune system? 

This post will explain some of the health benefits of green tea and honey. Green tea can have a bitter taste, and adding honey can make the tea more palatable while adding some health benefits.

Here are a few reasons to consume green tea and honey.

Doctor taking Blood Pressure Reading

May Lower Blood Pressure and Improve Lipid Profiles

Studies have shown that the consumption of green tea can be beneficial to cardiovascular health. A systematic review of twenty random controlled trials including 1536 subjects found green tea intake significantly reduces systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), and total cholesterol.1

Another study also found that the administration of green tea lowered both total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. However, no effect on HD cholesterol (good cholesterol) levels was observed in this study.2

Reducing high blood pressure and improving lipid profiles may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

Cancer cells

May Have a Role in Cancer Prevention

Several polyphenols are present in green tea leaves, and these compounds are thought to be responsible for their cancer preventative effects. Green tea has the highest polyphenol concentration compared to other teas, which may explain why it is more effective in causing cancer cell damage and death.3

Studies have shown that consumption of green tea can either induce oxidative stress, leading to cancer cell death, or it can act as an antioxidant, preventing cellular damage.4

May Aid in Weight Loss

Green tea extract is a component in many weight loss formulations, including those available at Sunshine Nutraceuticals. For example, in one study, 60 obese subjects (BMI>25) were split into two groups. In addition to their meals, one group was given green tea, and the other group a placebo. The green tea group had significantly higher weight loss than the placebo group at the eight and twelve-week measurements.5

Another study involving 192 moderately overweight Chinese males and females showed that regular consumption of a very-high catechin green tea over 90 days leads to significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and intra-abdominal fat.6

Order Our Premium Weight Loss Blend Today!!

I need This

Green Tea and Brain Health

We are learning more about Parkinson’s Disease and dementia each day. The catechins present in green tea are potent antioxidants. They may help protect our brain neurons by scavenging free radicals and chelating iron, activating specific signaling pathways and genes.7

Benefits of Caffeinated Green Tea

Caffeine is the most popular nootropic substance currently in use. We all know how caffeine can boost energy levels and focus. Caffeine can also improve your brain reaction time and exercise performance and may improve cardiac health. However, caffeine is a drug, and no medication is free from side effects. 

For example, too much caffeine can make a person jittery. Caffeine can also be habit-forming and can cause headaches if abruptly discontinued. It can also cause anxiety, especially at higher doses. If you start to feel some of these side effects, try to consume less caffeine. Caffeine may also interact with some medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Sea Moss by Sunshine Nutraceuticals

Try Our Newest Product

Order Now

Honey

We all know that honey is a natural sweetener with a yummy taste. But, do you realize that honey has many benefits other than helping soothe a sore throat? 

Always remember that raw honey is a better alternative than processed honey. I know some don’t believe this to be true, but in my opinion, raw honey is a better option. So, what are some of the benefits of raw honey?

doctor with holographic brain between his hands

Honey Also Has Antioxidant Properties and
Positive Effects on the Brain

The brain is especially prone to oxidative damage due to its high oxygen consumption and the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the neural membranes. Raw honey contains polyphenols which can help protect against fat oxidation. These compounds may also improve learning ability, memory, and cognitive function.

We know that raw honey can help with anxiety and depression and may act as an anticonvulsant.8

Honey Maybe Better in Controlling Blood Sugar Levels
and Preventing Metabolic Syndrome

Honey has been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease obesity, reduce lipid levels, and positively affect diabetes. In addition, honey can decrease insulin resistance leading to lower blood sugar levels. These factors may help limit weight gain and accumulation of fat storage and prevent or improve metabolic syndrome.9

Bacteria

Honey and Green/Black Tea
May Have Antibacterial Properties

One study found honey and green/black tea reduced the risk of H. pylori infection. This study may lead to further studies evaluating the use of honey and tea in the prevention or treatment of some infections.10

Green tea (camellia sinensis) is one of the world’s most popular and healthy drinks. This tea, along with oolong and black tea, has been consumed in China and India for fifty centuries. 

The antioxidant substances in tea leaves may help with several health-related problems, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, weight loss, neurological disorders, and more. 

In addition, if you use raw honey to sweeten your green tea, more antioxidants will be available to help reduce cellular oxidation.

I highly recommend adding green tea and honey to your diet. Your body will thank you.

If you have any questions regarding this or any other post, please email me at [email protected]. I try to answer all emails.

Michael Brown in Lab Coat with arms crossed

Michael J. Brown, RPh, BCPS, BCPP

Mr. Brown is a Clinical Pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy and psychiatry.

Read Michael’s story here.

Feel free to send Michael a message using this link.

 
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Get up to date information on our company as well as coupon codes for discounts on our items.
I Want The Newsletter

Sunshine Store

Visit The Sunshine Store For Your Vitamins And Supplements
Shop Now

Some Remarkable Over The Counter Antivirals

Posted on by Michael Brown

The threat of COVID-19 has prompted a lot of questions regarding over the counter antiviral remedies. I thought I would discuss a few herbs that are thought to possess activity against viruses in general. We do not have specific information regarding COVID-19 because it is too new.  

Presently, the only known weapons we have against the spread of COVID-19 are handwashing, social distancing, and wearing masks. 

Until a vaccine is available, our options are limited. I take dietary supplements for several reasons. Some of these may help decrease my risk of contracting this virus. 

I believe benefit far outweighs the risk in this situation.

I have written about many of these herbs in the past. For more information, click the highlighted link to visit the corresponding blog post.

Green Tea

Green tea (Camelia sinensis) consumption can have significant positive effects on human health.1

Green tea contains catechins, which are polyphenolic compounds. These substances, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have shown broad antiviral effects.2

Green tea extract has the potential to cause liver toxicity. Products that contain the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verification stamp must be labeled with the following:

Due to the potential risk for hepatotoxicity with green tea extracts, products that carry the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verification stamp must include the following text on the label: “Do not take on an empty stomach. Take with food. Do not use if you have a liver problem and discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if you develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)”3

Shop Sunshine Nutraceuticals for all your Vitamins and Supplements

Take me There

Ascorbic Acid ( Vitamin C)

Studies have shown that patients with acute infections have low circulating ascorbic acid levels.4

 

5

We also know that vitamin C modulates interferons and cytokines in patients with viral infections.6

Ascorbic acid has also been shown to reduce neuralgia pain associated with the herpes virus.7

There have also been instances where influenza A patients with life-threatening respiratory failure have rapidly improved after receiving ascorbic acid and thiamine.8

Elderberry

Elderberry is a dark purple berry that grows on the European elder tree. There is evidence that elderberry fruit extract taken four times daily can reduce the symptoms and duration of influenza infection if started within 48 hours of symptoms. This extract can reduce the duration of symptoms by 56% on average.9

Another study found that lozenges containing elderberries taken four times daily within 24 hours of influenza onset improved flu-like symptoms compared with placebo 10

Zinc

Zinc is the second most abundant trace element in the human body. This element is essential for growth, development, DNA synthesis, and RNA transcription.11

A review article published in 2019 concluded that zinc can stimulate the body’s viral response.12

In vitro studies have also shown zinc may possess antiviral effects. This paper also stated that zinc treatment at therapeutic doses can drastically improve the clearance of acute and chronic viral infections.13

We know that Zinc lozenges can decrease the duration of the common cold by up to 40%.14

Quercetin

Quercetin is a common flavonoid found in many Chinese herbs and fruits, vegetables, and red wine.  

Quercetin has been shown to possess anti-influenza activity. This is likely due to its ability to inhibit the entry of the virus into the cell.15

This substance has also exhibited the ability to inhibit virus replication in the initial stages of influenza infections.16

Get Anxiety Formula

Calming, Relaxing, Soothing
I Need This

Echinacea

Echinacea is the name given to some flowering plants in the daisy family. This plant has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat many illnesses. 

Currently, Echinacea is used primarily as an herbal remedy in the treatment of the common cold and flu.

 Echinacea extracts have shown antiviral activity against several different viruses.17

 

18

 

19

There are also studies claiming Echinacea is an efficacious immunomodulator. There is still insufficient evidence available to make therapeutic recommendations for specific disease states.20

We all want to protect ourselves from infection. 

It is much easier to prevent an illness than to treat it. There are some simple steps we can take to stay healthy.

  • Eat whole foods.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Avoid bad habits.
  • Get enough sleep.

I also believe herbal products can help us stay healthy. One of the biggest causes of sickness is oxidative stress. Our cells are bombarded with free radicals daily. 

Just breathing the air can introduce toxins into the body.  

In addition to my products, I take ProtandimTM Tri-Synergizer daily. This not only helps protect my cells from free radical damage but also makes me feel better and improves my energy level. I strongly recommend giving this supplement a try.

With COVID-19 comes uncertainty and fear. Besides staying as healthy as possible, we should also wash our hands often, wear masks when near others, and practice social distancing. Although the products mentioned in this post are not proven to treat, prevent, or cure COVID-19, some have good evidence against other viruses. I think the benefits of taking them far outweigh the risks.

Nutraceuticals have been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Large, randomized-controlled studies are not always available to support these agents due to prohibitive costs. This does not mean they are ineffective. It usually means there is not enough profit to be made from them to justify the high costs of the studies.

If you have any questions regarding this post or about medications or nutraceuticals, please send me a message. I would also like to invite you to join our email list to receive our monthly newsletter. Our newsletter will keep you up to date on new products, our influencers, and sales.

Until next week, stay happy, healthy, and safe!

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Get up to date information on our company as well as coupon codes for discounts on our items.
I Want The Newsletter
Michael Brown in Lab Coat with arms crossed

Michael J. Brown, RPh, BCPS, BCPP

Mr. Brown is a Clinical Pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy and psychiatry.

Read Michael’s story here.

Feel free to send Michael a message using this link.

 

 
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram

Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click on, or make a purchase through a third-party link.