Image courtesy of the Men’s Health Network.

Why are women 100% more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men? This startling statistic, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), is exactly why a national Men’s Health Month is so important. June is Men’s Health Month, celebrated across the country through health fairs, media appearances and other health outreach activities. Men’s Health Month heightens awareness of preventable health problems, encouraging early detection and treatment of disease. Men — it’s a great opportunity to take a look at your health and wellness. 

Bigelow Tea makes a number of delicious and healthful teas. The numerous health benefits of tea have been examined on our Bigelow Tea Blog for years, from fighting the flu to keeping a healthy heart. One prominent health issue is stress and hypertension, which continues to grow for men — from 26.4% in 1992, to 31.8% in 2006 — the most recent CDC stats. Bigelow Tea to the rescue — your stress reliever! Green tea is rich in an amino acid commonly known as L-theanine; one of the unique properties of L-theanine is its ability to induce relaxation and stress relief.

For more information on Men’s Health Month, see the Men’s Health Network (MHN) a non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men and their families with health prevention messages, screening programs, education and patient advocacy and navigation. MHN is a nonprofit organization with a board of advisors of over 800 physicians, and it receives the highest 4 stars rating from Charity Navigator.

So take a little time to look at your health and wellness in June, and as you do remember to enjoy that extra cup or two of Bigelow Tea. Here’s to your health!

The USA has already had some record cold snaps this winter, and the 2009 Flu/Cold season is well under way. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there will be more than 200,000 Americans affected by the flu or influenza this year. So what can one do? Can hot tea every day keep the doctor away?

Published research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University found that drinking tea containing high concentrations of the amino acid L-theanine may help strengthen the body’s immune system response. “The health benefits of tea have been touted for centuries…” said lead author Jack Bukowski, (MD, PhD) “…now we have a new explanation for the medicinal effect of tea. Our research suggests that when tea drinkers become exposed to germs, some may be protected from getting sick,” Bukowski, (also of Harvard Medical School), wrote “…importantly, those who do become ill, may develop a milder infection compared to non tea drinkers, indicates that theanine, an ingredient found naturally in tea, supports the immune system”. A cup of tea contains an average of 20-25 mg of theanine.

Other studies even suggest that gargling tea may bolster your efforts to fight the flu. In one study, participants who gargled with a black tea extract solution twice daily were more immune to the flu virus than those who didn’t. Sounds good — but drinking a nice cup of tea sounds much better! To help keep fighting the flu/cold season a warming experience, Bigelow Tea has many tasty suggestions at the ready. With this record-setting winter, prevention has never been so good!

I have a new favorite combo brew of the week… perfect during flu and cold season (which seems to be all around me!!)

Take one tea bag each I Love Lemon herbal and Ginger Snappish herbal, brew together in one cup, add a little dollop of honey.

If you are not feeling well, I guarantee you will feel better and if you are currently healthily (lucky you!), have this combo everyday to ward off those pesky germs!  My friend at work just made one up for me-it is FABULOUS!

Cindi Bigelow