Extracts from black tea may reduce total cholesterol levels by 9 per cent and LDL cholesterol levels by 12 per cent, according to a new study from Japan.

Consumption of the black tea extract (BTE) was also associated with beneficial changes in blood levels of triglycerides and body weight, according to results published in the journal Nutrition Reviews.

High cholesterol levels, hypercholesterolaemia, have a long association with many diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the number one killer on both sides of the Atlantic.

“The present study is the first to report that BTE (one gram per day) significantly lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in human subjects with borderline hypercholesterolemia in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study,” wrote authors Hiroyuki Fujita and Tomohide Yamagami from the R&D Department of Nippon Supplement in Osaka.

The study involved 47 people with borderline hypercholesterolaemia assigned to receive the BTE or placebo for three months.

The health benefits of tea have been linked to the polyphenol content of the tea. Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidised by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent.

The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tea leaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin.

Study details

The subjects, aged from 40 to 70 years, were randomly assigned to receive the black tea extract (one gram per day) or placebo for three months. The subjects consumed the extract before a meal.

After three months, a 9 per cent reduction in total cholesterol was observed in the tea extract group, from 6.14 to 5.62 moles per litre at the start and end of the study, respectively. Furthermore, LDL cholesterol levels fell by 12 per cent, from 4.32 to 3.81 moles per litre.

Similar reductions in triglyceride levels were observed, but no significant changes in any blood lipid levels were recorded in the placebo group.

“Interestingly, the reduced levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and TG levels remained significant even one month after termination of black tea extract intake,” wrote Fujita and Yamagami.

The authors also note no “undesirable changes in other biochemical parameters”, such as fat-soluble vitamins. Moreover, none of the subjects reported any adverse effects from consumption of the black tea extracts.

Mechanism

Fujita and Yamagami postulated that the tea extract may function by inhibiting the reabsorption of bile acids. By binding to the bile acids the extracts increase the excretion of cholesterol - the liver compensates by producing more bile from cholesterol, thereby promoting cholesterol lowering.

“Because the black tea extract induces the precipitation of mixed bile salt micelles and lowers blood cholesterol levels, it might have contributed to body weight loss in this study,” they wrote.

“In this regard, further investigation of black tea extract effects on body weight loss is warranted,” they concluded.

They also stated that future studies should investigate if the extract can play a role in reducing arteriosclerosis related to the metabolic syndrome and obesity in humans.

By Stephen Daniells

   Coffee is a beverage made from coffee beans, which are the seeds of the coffee cherry. The coffee bush, which produces the cherries, grows around the world in a narrow subtropical belt between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn at elevations varying between 2,200 and 6.000 feet above sea level.
The coffee bush is a tropical evergreen and would naturally grow up to 20-30 feet tall., however, bushes are typically trimmed to 3-7 feet to accommodate hand picking of the cherries. Each coffee cherry produces 2 green beans and it takes approximately 2,000 cherries of 4,000 beans to produce one pound of coffee.
Each coffee bush on average produces approximately 1-2lbs of roasted coffee per year. It takes a young coffee bush 4-5 years to produce it’s first crop.

Is the environmental trend “sustainable”? To be so, marketers mad about the mantra might want to make sure their customers know what it means to maintain.

In conducting its Project Green study, BuzzBack, New York, found that only about one in three people were “familiar” or “very familiar” with the term sustainable and its meaning.

“It’s this huge buzz term, but it’s such a client term,” said Carol Fitzgerald, president of the market research firm. “So maybe there’s a disconnect with consumers.”

The Project Green study was conducted among 1,141 U.S. and U.K. respondents “to uncover behavior, attitudes and emotions” about environmental concerns. Overall, BuzzBack didn’t find many differences among the peoples living across the pond: A little more than half of U.S. and U.K. residents agreed that “the environment is the most important issue” (55% vs. 51%), and 19% of each said they are “willing to make sacrifices (convenience, comfort, cost savings, etc.) in order to support the environment.” U.K. residents were more into recycling paper and walking rather than driving short distances, while Americans were more obsessed with buying recycled paper and hybrid cars.

U.S. vs. U.K. consumers who:
• Recycle paper: 71% vs. 87%
• Purchase recycled paper: 55% vs. 47%
• Walk rather than drive short journeys: 36% vs. 56%
• Own or lease a hybrid: 4% vs. 1%

In a creativity-enhancing exercise, participants were asked to choose from 120 images to build an “e-Collage” to illustrate their personal vision of what it means to be green. According to BuzzBack, this tool helped respondents be more articulate and personal in describing their feelings: Those who used collages were more than twice as wordy/expressive in their answers than those who were not given the visual prompts (37 words vs. 16 words on average), while comments from the latter group tended to be more succinct and literal. The images picked most often to represent “being green” included pictures of eco-friendly icons (such as the Energy Star logo gracing efficient appliances), unspoiled environments (a la forests) and animals (pandas and baby seals).

By Becky Ebenkamp

What is organic?                                                                                                             

Organic refers to the way agricultural products—food and fiber—are grown and processed. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food.

Is there an official definition of “organic”?                                                                 

The following excerpt is from the definition of “organic” that the National Organic Standards Board adopted in April 1995: “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.”

What does “Certified Organic” mean?                                                                   

“Certified Organic” means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set.

Can any type of agricultural product become certified organic?                    

Yes, any agricultural product that meets third-party or state certification requirements may be considered organic. Organic foods are becoming available in an impressive variety, including pasta, prepared sauces, frozen juices, frozen meals, milk, ice cream and frozen novelties, cereals, meat, poultry, breads, soups, chocolate, cookies, beer, wine, vodka and more. These foods, in order to be certified organic, have all been grown and processed according to organic standards and must maintain a high level of quality. Organic fiber products, too, have moved beyond T-shirts, and include bed and bath linens, tablecloths, napkins, cosmetic puffs, feminine hygiene products, and men’s, women’s and children’s clothing in a wide variety of styles.

Source: Organic Trade Association

(Jun 27, 2007) With a market flooded with delicious — and unhealthy — snack foods, it can be hard to find tasty and reasonably priced alternatives. Flavourless rice cakes aside, what’s out there that isn’t full of artery clogging saturated fats, barrels of salt or tons of unrefined sugars?

Go for the real foods
When looking for those healthier alternatives, Dr. Jonny Bowden, a board certified nutritionist and author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, suggests you choose snacks relatively low in calories (under 200), not fried (no potato chips), with at least 5 grams of protein and made with whole foods.” Read the nutritional and ingredients label and avoid anything with high fructose corn syrup and trans fatty acids. Be wary of the No Trans Fat label. “Even if [an ingredient] says ’partially hydrogenated’ it contains trans fats, no matter what the label says,” said Dr. Bowden.
 

Our number one choice
Chocolate is high up on the list for snack food. Relax…dark chocolate, in moderation, is a great way to treat the sweet tooth and provide some solid health benefits. According to The Journal of the American Medical Association, not only can dark chocolate “help lower blood pressure” but the antioxidants in dark chocolate can “gobble up free radicals, destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments.” Researchers at American Heart Association even report dark chocolate can “improve insulin resistance.” Whenever you can look for fair-trade, organic chocolate with at least 65 percent cocoa. You’ll find it more satisfying that that sugar-laden bar you picked up at gas station and you’ll be less likely to gorge.

With any healthy snack, it’s important to watch your portion size because any healthy snack can turn into an unhealthy choice quickly. “Even if you’re eating great food, calories still count. Junk foods and those healthy snacks high in carbs and low in protein and fat, can still raise blood sugar and insulin which sets you up for fat storage,” said Dr. Bowden.

Jason Antebi is a freelance writer in Los Angeles, CA and the Executive Producer of the nationally syndicated talk show Women Aloud with Mo Gaffney and Shana Wride on the Greenstone Media Network.

Come to see and hear former President Bill Clinton to speak at Toronto’s Green Living Show April 25 – 27, 2008, Exhibition Place.                                                          

Tickets to hear him discuss “Embracing Our Common Humanity” go on sale on Saturday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. at http://toronto.greenlivingshow.ca/clinton.php.

The Green Living Show is Toronto’s first consumer show dedicated to all things green. Information… Innovation… Inspiration… everything you need to green up your life is right here, under one roof!

• Over 300 exhibitors with simple, practical “greenovations”
• Hundreds of new products
• Earth-friendly advice and services
• Sample * Sip * Shop * Learn * Discover * Play

Don’t miss GoBIO! Organics at booth 1137!   

Sample GoBIO! Organic Products! 

Special Show Pricing for all GoBIO! Products!                                                                            

Show Hours:

Friday, April 25 - 10 am - 9 pm
Saturday, April 26 -10 am - 9 pm
Sunday, April 27 -10 am - 6 pm  

Where:                                                                                                                                             

Exhibition Place, Toronto - Direct Energy Centre                                        

http://toronto.greenlivingshow.ca/index.php

March 2008: Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), the leading market research and strategic consulting firm specializing in health, wellness and sustainability, reported today that its recent Health & Wellness Trends Database™ survey revealed that consumer integration of organic into their lifestyles is growing. New data reveals that total organic household penetration across six product categories is up from 57% in 2006 to 59%, but some categories are experiencing significant penetration growth while others are flat. More importantly the number of core users, DEVOTEDS™, has grown. The chart below shows the percentage of general population/primary grocery shoppers who fall into each of NMI’s organic consumer segments for 2007 and 2006.

2007 / 2006

DEVOTEDS                                                                                                                                   18% / 16%                                                                                                                    

TEMPERATES                                                                                                                                                                                                      22% /22%                                                                                                                            

DABBLERS                                                                                                                                          41% / 44%                                                                                                                       

RELUCTANTS                                                                                                                                                                                                          19% / 18%

DEVOTEDS, as their name implies, are the most committed to organic and its ideals and are most likely to have changed their lifestyle to integrate organic. The more a category is used, the more it has to be organic. TEMPERATES have modern organic attitudes and fit organic into their lifestyle; the more they use a category, the more an organic version becomes a treat. DABBLERS are non-committal about organic – they can take it or leave it. For them, buying organic is more about hipness than the health benefits. RELUCTANTS are the least trustful of organic and believe that conventional products are just as good (if not better) than organics and that organics are not worth the extra cost.

In the rapid race of development we have inflicted serious damage to our natural resources and consequently to ourselves. Pesticides once used to promote and protect crop yield are now being used indiscriminately-harming both, the environment and human life. Over the years these chemicals accumulate in the environment and poison us slowly. When consumed on a regular basis they form deposits in our tissues and vital organs, particularly liver, kidney and brain.

THREAT

As years progress, they lead to life threatening diseases and even cancer a reason why they are “cumulative poisons”. In fact studies over the last few years have proved that as polluting chemicals have built up in the environment they have even invaded the most natural and safest of all sources of nourishment-mother’s milk. More than 350 man made pollutants have been identified in the breast milk of women in UK. Pesticide residues, poison mother’s milk and have adverse effects on the baby’s immune system.

PESTICIDE USE

The plight is that besides bans on harmful pesticides, they are still used extensively by farmers and agriculturists; consumed by us unnoticed. India is the largest manufacturer of chemical pesticides among South Asian and African nations. A number of research studies have found higher instances of brain cancer, leukemia and birth defects in children with early exposure to pesticides, according to National Resources Defence Council.

HARVARD FIND

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, discovered a 70% increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease for people exposed to even low levels of pesticides. WHO estimates over a million pesticide-poisoning cases and 20, 000 deaths every year globally. The indiscriminate use of fertilisers and plant protective chemicals to increase yields and save crops from pets and diseases, no doubt, has escalated food production, created food security but has also resulted in a number of health hazards. Further, it has deteriorated the agro-ecosystem badly. This situation has spelled the need to switch over to organic farming to cultivate valuable crops for healthy and safer foods.

GROWING ORGANIC

Organic food is grown without pesticides and chemical inputs. Organic is not a “product” rather it is a “process”. Organic farming significantly reduces external inputs by avoiding the use of chemo-synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Instead it works with nature and natural systems to increase both agricultural yields and disease resistance. It builds healthy soil and prevents chemicals from entering into earth and water. It helps in protecting top soil, water and air.

By Rohit Tomar

The benefits of green tea might include blocking fat and keeping extra pounds at bay, according to preliminary lab tests in mice.

Don’t skip over that word “preliminary.” There’s no proof yet that sipping green tea will do the same for people. Staying in shape continues to be a balancing act between calories and activity.

Here’s what those preliminary lab tests in mice show:  

• Less weight and fat gain. Among mice with an obesity gene, those that ate chow laced with green tea extract gained less weight and less fat.
• Less fat in the liver. There was less sign of “fatty liver” disease in the mice with the obesity gene that ate chow laced with green tea extract.
• Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in mice with the obesity gene that ate the chow laced with green tea extract, compared to other mice with the same obesity gene.

A healthy liver isn’t fatty. But obesity - in mice or in people - can lead to fatty buildup in the liver and cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

As for that green tea extract, the study used it in doses equal to what a person would get from drinking at least seven cups of green tea a day.      (WebMD) 

Who can resist them – and why should we?

A recent survey by the foodservice consultancy Technomic found, what we all know already: almost everyone enjoys desserts, some of us occasionally, others frequently.

During the Holidays most of us tend to join the ‘frequent’ group. We will enjoy exquisite desserts and goodies not only after already rich meals, but we will most likely nibble on cookies and cakes at any time of day.

Here a few tips to enjoy home made scrumptious treats without overdosing on sugar and fat:

Use alternative sweeteners that are better for you, such as honey, maple syrup or rice syrup. Find dessert mixes that have no sugar added, such as our very easy to prepare and delicious GoBIO! Organic Puddings and Jellies. They are bursting with natural, organic flavours, rather than being overly sweet.
The elegant, fluffy and creamy GoBIO! Organic Chocolate Mousse and Organic Vanilla Mousse contain only a fraction of sugar compared to conventional mixes. That does not only make them healthier, but they are also so much more delicious.

Combine traditional desserts with fresh fruit. Use raspberries for garnish on Chocolate Mousse, add a small serving of fresh strawberries in each dessert bowl and fill up with creamy GoBIO! Organic Custard, or sprinkle pomegranate arils (seeds) over your Organic Almond Pudding for a festive touch.

If you are concerned about fat, use soy drink, almond drink or low fat milk for your GoBIO! Organic Puddings and Organic Custard. All GoBIO! Desserts are free of Trans fats.

Stick with pure, organic products and enjoy rich, natural flavours as they were meant to be. Stay away from commercial desserts, loaded with chemical additives, such as artificial flavouring, artificial colouring, preservatives, and chemical agents that supposedly give the product a “better” consistency and texture.

Be creative and try new combinations. Use your traditional recipes and experiment a little. Use GoBIO! Organic Berry Pudding instead of sugary jam in your Thumbprint Cookies or GoBIO! Organic Cherry Jelly in your Jello Christmas cookies. Try a Café Au Lait Parfait with GoBIO! Organic Gelatine.

And don’t forget – enjoy all good things in moderation, try not to over-indulge.

Celebrate the Holidays and all its tastes!