Page 25 - Hello Philippines December 2015 'B' ISSUE

HEALTH and Lifestyle food www.hello-philippines.com
Green tea: the elixir of life or just hype?December2015/Fortnightly–No.24•UK&EuropeEdition 23

GREEN tea has been used in quality study from 2009 reviewed 51 Cholesterol. There is increasing tea and Alzheimer’s disease is weak. about green tea’s health benefits are
traditional Chinese medicine for studies involving more than 1.6 million evidence that both green and black A 2010 laboratory study using animal inconclusive.
centuries to treat everything from participants. The studies looked for an tea are beneficial for cardiovascular cells found that a green tea preparation
headaches to depression. association between drinking green disease prevention. A good quality rich in antioxidants protected against She says: “In the Far East, green
tea and cancers of the bowel, prostate, review from 2013 of 11 studies the nerve cell death associated with tea has been used as a treatment for
The leaves are supposedly richer in breasts, mouth and lungs. The authors involving 821 people found that daily dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. a variety of conditions ranging from
antioxidants than other types of tea of the review concluded that the consumption of green and black tea (as Whether these lab results can be arthritis to weight loss, as well as a
because of the way they are processed. evidence of a link between green tea a drink or a capsule) could help lower reproduced in human trials remains preventative measure for diseases such
and cancer was weak and “highly cholesterol and blood pressure thanks to be seen. As such, the findings do as cancer, although the evidence for
All types of tea (green, black contradictory”. to tea and its catechins. The authors not conclusively show that green tea the majority of these conditions is weak
and oolong) are produced from the of the review caution that most of the combats Alzheimer’s disease. or lacking.
Camellia sinensis plant using different Weight loss. It is thought that the trials were short term and more good
methods. Fresh leaves from the plant antioxidants catechins and caffeine in quality long-term trials are needed to The dietitian’s verdict. Alison “However, as a social drink,
are steamed to produce green tea, green tea may have a role in helping the back up their findings. Hornby, a dietitian and BDA it appears to be safe in moderate
while the leaves of black tea and oolong body burn more calories – sometimes spokesperson, says the evidence amounts, so lovers of green tea can
involve fermentation. referred to as speeding up the Another good quality review from continue to enjoy it.” n NHS Choices
metabolism – which can help weight 2011 found that drinking green tea
Green tea is alleged to boost weight loss. Green tea preparations used for enriched with catechins led to a small
loss, reduce cholesterol, combat losing weight are extracts of green tea reduction in cholesterol, a main cause
cardiovascular disease, and prevent that contain a higher concentration of heart disease and stroke. However,
cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. of catechins and caffeine than the it’s still not clear from the evidence
typical green tea beverage prepared how much green tea we’d need to drink
We’ve teamed up with the British from a tea bag and boiling water. A to see a positive effect on our health, or
Dietetic Association (BDA) to examine well-conducted review from 2012 of 18 what the long-term effects of green tea
whether the myriad health claims about studies involving 1,945 people found consumption are on our overall health.
green tea are supported by the evidence. no significant effect of drinking green
tea on weight loss. Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence of a
The evidence positive link between drinking green
Cancer. There is no evidence that
drinking green tea protects against
different types of cancer. A good

Are chocolate’s health claims for real
RECENT interest in the health cocoa. Brand experts have sought to The evidence pressure and cardiovascular health. remember that the studies on the

benefits of chocolate was sparked by associate chocolate, and in particular Blood pressure. A well-conducted Cancer. Some limited animal and health benefits of chocolate have

studies on the cocoa-drinking peoples dark chocolate, with the supposed 2012 review of the best available laboratory research suggests a cocoa- focused on cocoa extracts, not

of Central America. health benefits of cocoa, which include evidence on the effects of chocolate on rich diet could offer protection against chocolate.

Researchers observed that the protection against cancer and stress blood pressure concluded that cocoa bowel cancer. However, it’s impossible She says: “A range of health

Kuna Indians of Panama, who drank relief. products – including dark chocolate to conclude from research carried out benefits from the consumption

cocoa as their main beverage, had We’ve teamed up with the British – may help to slightly lower blood in a laboratory that cocoa can protect of cocoa products have been

very low blood pressure, a leading Dietetic Association (BDA) to examine pressure. However, most of the studies people against bowel cancer. investigated, particularly in relation

cause of heart disease and stroke. whether the health claims made were of short duration (between two Stress. In a small study from 2009, to cardiovascular disease, with early

Chocolate is the processed and about chocolate are supported by the and eight weeks) and there were some 30 healthy people who were given 40g results showing promise.

sweetened food produced from evidence. weaknesses in the available research. of dark chocolate a day for 14 days “However, the potential health

A range of health benefits from the The authors of the review say longer experienced a reduction in stress benefit of some compounds in the
term trials are needed to further our hormones. However, the study, which chocolate have to be weighed against

consumption of cocoa products have understanding of cocoa’s effect on blood was funded by a major chocolate the fact that to make chocolate, cocoa
manufacturer, had several limitations, is combined with sugar and fat.

been investigated, particularly in including its short study period, and “This means chocolate is an
relation to cardiovascular disease, energy-dense food that could
does not provide any evidence that contribute to weight gain and a higher
with early results showing promise.” risk of disease. As an occasional treat,
chocolate has any benefits or effects on chocolate can be part of a healthy

stress.
The dietitian’s verdict. Alison

—Alison Hornby Hornby, a dietitian and BDA diet. Eaten too frequently, it is an
spokesperson, says it’s important to unhealthy choice.” n NHS Choices

Is garlic an everyday superfood?
APHRODISIAC, money, food, the health claims about garlic stand concluded that there was insufficient Cancer. The evidence is mixed. A the risk of cardiovascular disease.

medicine, vampire repellent – garlic up to closer scrutiny. evidence to say if garlic was an 2007 World Cancer Research Fund However, current evidence does not
has had many uses throughout the The evidence effective means for treating high blood review concluded that garlic “probably support the use of garlic supplements
ages. High blood pressure. An pressure and reducing death rates. protects against” bowel and stomach to improve health.
cancers. A more recent review from
More recent evidence-based authoritative review from 2012of the Cholesterol. A well-conducted “Garlic is particularly useful in

research suggests garlic may be best available evidence on the use of review from 2009 of 29 good quality 2009 of the best available research cooking as it provides an alternative to

effective against high blood pressure, garlic to treat high blood pressure studies (involving a combined total on humans concluded that there was salt in adding flavour to meals, along

cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, identified one good quality study of 1,794 participants) concluded “no credible evidence” with stomach, with lemon juice, chilli, herbs and

colds and some cancers. that suggested that 200mg of garlic that garlic (mainly garlic powder) breast, lung and womb cancers, but spices. Eating less salt is important for

We’ve teamed up with the British powder three times daily reduced produced “modest reductions” in total that there was “very limited evidence” avoiding high blood pressure.”
Dietetic Association (BDA) to see if blood pressure. However, the review cholesterol levels. that eating garlic may lower the risk More on superfoods. Check out
of colon, prostate, oral, ovary or renal
Common cold. A good quality the evidence behind the health

review from 2012 of the best cell cancers. claims about these other so-called
The dietitian’s verdict. Alison superfoods:
available evidence concluded there

was insufficient evidence regarding Hornby, a dietitian and BDA • goji berries

the effects of garlic supplements in spokesperson, says: “Garlic is a • chocolate

treating or preventing colds. Most delicious flavour used widely in • oily fish

studies that claimed this were of Mediterranean and Asian cooking. • wheatgrass

poor quality. The review said one “Studies using high concentrations • pomegranate juice

reasonably good study suggested that of garlic extracts have been associated • green tea

garlic may prevent colds, but that with improved blood circulation, • broccoli

more research was needed to back up healthier cholesterol levels and lower • blueberries

the finding. blood pressure, all of which reduce • beetroot n NHS Choices