Lucid Nutrition

More reasons to drink Green Tea

A recent study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, found that drinking at least two cups of green tea a day reduces the risk of dying from a heart attack by an astonishing 44 percent.

Green tea contains a variety of chemical compounds, minerals, vitamins, volatile oils and essential nutrients, but the primary compounds believed to provide green tea with its health and medicinal effects are polyphenols, particulary epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

Green Tea catechins (EGCG)  belong to the flavan-3-ol flavonoids which are potent antioxidant compounds. The extraordinary health benefits of these class of polyphenolic substances in green tea are instrumental in preventing, inhibiting, and combating oxidative stress, a syndrome causative of some neurodegenerative diseases, some cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

One study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has also been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection and slow the spread of the virus in people who are already infected. The journal shows that the EGCG component prevents the virus that causes AIDS from binding to immune system cells. EGCG does this by binding to immune system cells first, leaving no room for HIV to attach to the cells. Researchers stress that this is not a cure, nor is it a safe way to avoid infection but do suggest that it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected.

Simply sipping can:

• Help Reduce Cholesterol

• Burn Calories by raising metabolism and decreasing appetite

• Sustain your body with vitamins C (a stress reliever, infection fighter, and immune system booster), vitamin B (a carbohydrate metabolizer), and vitamin E (an aging fighter)

• Reduce plaque formation and bacterial infections in the mouth

• Provide the body with minerals such as magnesium, zinc and potassium

• Aid with the prevention and relief of type-two diabetes, specifically cataracts.

• Relieve and prevent arthritis

My Pick:

Over the past few weeks I've been trying out different brands of teas. Typical teas found in the grocery store do not compare to the health benefits of Srina green tea due to the fact that many packaged teas contain fluoride and/or aluminum. The fragrance of this loose leafed tea is much more therapeutic in nature than its counterparts; deliciously light and refreshingly sweet.

Additionally, consumers who buy Srina green tea will effectively be supporting the Paradise Community Project in Sri Lanka and assisting in better living for the small-scale farmers. The project is committed to eco-friendly farming and offers their farmers above-average wages, a clean and safe working environment and training towards sustainable development using local natural resources.

The benefits of green tea are obviously unending and becoming conscious of where we get our foods should be prerequisites for consuming them. Supporting the Srina tea farms has brought a sense of peace to my entire being, and I'm not just saying that, it really did:)

P.S. The packaging is quite impressive available in either a sac, hand wrapped in a rustic recycled paper and tied with natural fiber, or a basket, constructed of woven natural cane wreaths. They make for perfect gifts.

Energize, Detoxify, and Prolong Your Life - Sip green tea daily!

When we drink a Cola...

After 10 minutes: our body is hit with 10 teaspoons of sugar for every 12 oz. but we don’t immediately ralph from the extra sugar because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor back allowing us to keep it down.

After 20 minutes: our blood sugar level spikes, causing an insulin burst. Our liver responds to this by turning any sugar into fat.

After 40 minutes: caffeine is fully absorbed by our body, our pupils dialate, and our blood pressure rises.

After 45 minutes: our body increases our dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of our brain. (this is very similar to how drugs hook people)

Eventually: the caffeine’s diuretic properties show effects and we will have to discharge (pee). This dispels the essential calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, electrolytes and water our bodies needs to be healthy. The decrease in calcium can result in reduced bone mass, which can contribute to broken bones in children and can lead to osteoporosis later in life.

At last: our body will experience a sugar crash. We become irritable and sluggish. Valuable nutrients from our body that could  have been used for hydrating our system or building strong bones and teeth are drained. (Source)

We can replace Cola with:

a) Water: flat, fizzy;seltzer, preferably alkalized, we need lots of water to help flush out toxins, aid digestion, and to keep our joints lubricated.

b) Tea: If you like caffeine, green tea is  the way to go providing an outstanding source of anti-oxidants. Plus, it is also known to lower cholesterol. In addition, herbal teas have many healing properties and they do great without sugar or honey. For added sweetness you could try using Stevia drops.

c) Vegetable juice: Low calorie, great source of nutrients, energy, antioxidants, and fiber. You can make it at home.

Read more on the health effects of drinking soda while having a refreshing glass of h2O.

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Introduction to LN

Hello! My name is Briana Franco, the author of Lucid Nutrition.

I have taken such a long time to begin this blog for good reason. I have been trying to understand what 'Lucid Nutrition' really means and how the content here will be useful not only for myself, family, and friends, but for any person who happens to come across this page. I have been in a research process for quite some time now, online and in books. I was searching for some sort of definition or explanation for LN when it finally hit me; Lucid Nutrition is just what it is. Simple.

Lets take a look at the definition for the word Lucid:

lucid. an adjective. 1 expressed clearly; easy to understand : a lucid account, written in a clear and lucid style. ˚showing ability to think clearly, esp. in the intervals between periods of confusion or insanity: he has a few lucid moments every now and then. ˚Psychology (of a dream) experienced with the dreamer feeling awake, aware of dreaming, and able to control events consciously. 2 poetic/literary bright or luminous : birds dipped their wings in the lucid flow of air.

and now the definition for the word Nutrition:

nutrition. a noun. the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth : a guide to good nutrition. ˚food; nourishment : the substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.

I plan on explaining more about what it means to become Lucid in our lives throughout the lifeline of this blog. Most importantly, is the notion that nutrition, the substances necessary for growth, are not limited to the physical ingredients which we put down our throats and into the digestive system. It also consist of the thoughts we think, the air we breathe, our daily environment, people surroundings, and how we handle the experiences we meet.

The research done for Lucid Nutrition will strive to help consumers like you and me feel less confused about what to buy, what to eat, and how to find strength and peace for a sound body and mind. Choices we make every day significantly influence our chances of feeling healthy, happy, energetic, and clear-minded.

Sound health is much more than the absence of sickness. It is the conscious pursuit of the highest qualities of the physical, environmental, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of the human experience.

We will delve deep into the past learning about ancient healing techniques like Ayurveda, Yoga, Dance, Reiki, Chakras and venture into the future where bodies will be healed quicker and easier by the rapid advances in technology.

We will test and try various recipes, opening our minds to new vegetables, fruits, spices, herbs and vitamins. We will sip on various teas, nibble on blueberries, and learn stretching routines and exercises great upon rising in the morning. Together we will discover more and more about complementary and alternative healing techniques; holistic and integrative, art therapy, foods we should avoid and eat, plus so much more.

The ultimate mission of Lucid Nutrition is to share what I am learning with you in the hopes that my findings may enliven your life as they do mine. To produce health, prevent and fight dis-ease and to have a greater awareness of our body/mind/heart/soul is what Lucid Nutrition is all about.

See disclaimer.

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