Magnified View of Cataract in Human Eye Courtesy of Wikipedia.com

March is Save Your Vision Month, a perfect time to review protecting your eyes and vision health. Studies show that up to 80 percent of learning for sighted people can be visual, and yet many children and students have never had an eye exam. At Bigelow Tea, we’re taking a good look at vision health this month.

One common vision concern is cataracts. Sunlight, smoking, diabetes, and steroid use can contribute to the development of cataracts, but most often it’s due to time and aging.

Image Courtesy of aoa.org

In recent years, researchers have been studying the effects of EGCG, prominent in both black and green teas, in preventing the development of cataracts in the lens of the eye.

Signs that your vision is being strained range from difficulties seeing everyday things like a clock, signs, or an oncoming car to headaches while reading or working at your computer screen. Computer Vision Syndrome is a growing problem, as people of all ages spend more time in front of computers. But there are things you can do to reduce the strain:

• Minimize time at the computer
• Get special glasses
• Blink more often
• Use a humidifier
• Instill artificial tears
• Rest your eyes often

Of course we may need our computers to make it through the day (just like our Bigelow Tea). So take frequent breaks from the computer to rest those precious eyes of yours, and enjoy some of Bigelow Tea’s green or black teas–a Bigelow Tea salute to your health!

Image Courtesy of Livestrong.com

Breathing is so fundamental that we sometimes take it for granted. Yet, for those who are afflicted with lung cancer or  may be at risk of developing the disease, the simple act of taking a breath can be quite daunting. There is positive news in a recent medical research study conducted in Taiwan and presented at the 2010 AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer, in which researchers determined that regular consumption of the properties in green tea contribute to the deceleration of cancer cell growth in lungs. It is a fascinating report.

Researchers carefully selected and examined over 500 patients, 170 with lung cancer and 340 patients without. They were all subsequently sub-categorized as smokers and non-smokers, then as green tea drinkers or non-green tea drinkers.  It’s interesting to note that non-smokers who did not drink green tea had an increased risk of getting lung cancer by 5.16 times, in comparison to those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day.  More alarming was the finding that the smokers who did not drink green tea saw increases in their risk levels more by 12.71 times, versus their fellow smokers who drank at least one cup of green tea/day.

Aside from the genetic factor, scientists report that the antioxidants from the polyphenols found in green tea were powerful enough to inhibit and/or moderate lung tumor growth. These findings will likely spur further studies.

At Bigelow Tea, we’re always looking for organic ways to improve the quality of life, and green tea is as an outstanding option. So, take a nice, deep breath; smell the delicate scent of your favorite selection of Bigelow® Green Tea, made from lovingly grown, hand-picked tea leaves, and take a long slow sip. The smooth liquid will warm you up and do you a world of good!



Image Courtesy of Meditationforbeginners.net

“… the very purpose of our life is happiness,
the very motion of our life is towards happiness.”

~ H.H. the Dalai Lama, from The Art of Happiness

Happiness, according to Zen teachings, cannot truly occur until one achieves a state of mind known as Enlightenment. The path to Enlightenment is called “The Way.” Meditation and the study of koans help us travel this path. It is taught that,  as we embark on this spiritual journey, we begin to shed all the negative energy around us, essentially purifying the mind, heart, body and soul.

According to Zen Buddhism, we are each responsible for reaching this destination on our own. Therefore, according to the Dalai Lama, “the key to happiness is in our own hands.”

So what is the relationship between Zen and tea? Well, both Zen meditation and the ceremony of tea help relax and cleanse the mind, body and soul – allowing us to live in the present and experience a life where the principles of harmony, purity and tranquility reign supreme.

Image Courtesy of Catalogs.com

With a wonderful selection of flavorful teas for every palate, Bigelow Tea knows firsthand what it means to experience the Way of Tea.

We lead complicated, hectic lives. It is essential to our emotional and physical well-being to take time to quietly sit and slowly enjoy the soothing taste of tea.  So, please, slow down for just a bit; savor some of our relaxing green tea, you’ll be glad you did. And the only pressing decision you’ll have to make is: which one do I choose? Should it be Bigelow® Green Tea Chai, Bigelow® Green Tea with Mint…or simply try them all?

Image Courtesy of Womenhealthzone.com

We know that green tea is an elixir for the soul – thanks to its exquisite, organic flavor and soothing taste. But can this Zen-like beverage help to revitalize our body?

In a recent study conducted by researchers at Meharry Medical College, it was discovered that green tea extract could potentially be used as treatment for uterine fibroids – a medical condition which affects over 40% of women in the reproductive age range.

In the past, a hysterectomy was the only treatment option presented to women suffering from this condition. Today, patients can opt for less radical and minimally invasive procedures, such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).

In an effort to determine whether there are any organic approaches to prevent/treat this disease, scientists conducted a study which demonstrated that antioxidant compounds – specifically, the Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that is found in green tea extract – can kill human leiomyoma cells in tissue cultures, as well as eliminate fibroid lesions in lab animals. The 2009 findings, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, were so encouraging that the next phase of the research –extensive human clinical trials – is set to commence soon.

At Bigelow Tea, we have learned that the polyphenols present in tea are believed to be largely responsible for green tea’s role in promoting good health. That’s why we have such a wide selection of green tea offerings – from the original fragrant Bigelow® Green Tea to the more exotic Bigelow® Green Tea with Mango. The medical research is impressive, and the green tea is simply delightful to sip and savor. So, pour yourself a cup and relax.

Thanks to www.diabetes.org for the image

There is more great information from a new study regarding the many healthful properties of tea. In this impressive report, published recently by Medical News Today, medical researchers reported tea is linked to a reduced risk of diabetes. The pooled review of studies – covering nearly half a million participants – was a systematic review and analysis by an international team of medical researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, as well as colleagues from the UK, The Netherlands, France and the US.

The findings were originally presented online, in the Archives on Internal Medicine in late 2009. The research states, in part:

“High intakes of coffee…and tea are associated with reduced risk of diabetes. The putative protective effects of these beverages warrant further investigation in randomized trials.”

Diabetes is a disease that involves the body’s failure to properly produce or use insulin. The benefits of controlling diabetes are many; diabetes causes serious medical complications with the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart, according to the American Diabetes Association. As the rates of obesity increase across the country, so do the risks of diabetes, which already affects millions of people now, with many more at high risk.

Health experts also suggest a healthy diet combined with exercise, to help ward off the risk of diabetes and a host of other health issues. Check your ABC’s of Diabetes prevention, and raise a cup to your good health!

Image Courtesy of Mensxp.com

Green tea is perhaps the most widely consumed tea of all. Bigelow Tea, always an enthusiastic advocate of the beverage, features a wide selection of green tea, showing our belief in its natural assets. Here’s an update on some of what we’ve found about the healthful properties in tea:

Youthfulness

Let’s face it; we all want to drink from the fountain of youth. The EGCG present in green tea, according to a recent study by Stanford University, can help to diminish Acne Rosacea, and reduce pore size – refining the skin. Dubbed “The Skin Tea,” green tea also contains Riboflavin which helps repair and protect cells in the hair and nails. So drink it and bathe in it. Yes, bathe! Green tea baths are a fabulous way to invigorate the skin. Just throw some tea bags into your bath, light a few candles (for ambiance) and relax.

Energy

Image Courtesy of Greenteainformation.org

When you’re more alert, you’re more energetic. Perhaps that’s why college students favor green tea as a study aid: L-theanine, found in green tea, helps stimulate alpha brain waves, helping you stay alert (but relaxed) and able to study for long hours. Additionally, studies have shown that catechins found in green tea help physical endurance, making it a popular beverage among athletes.

Longevity

And the fountain of tea runneth over…medical research published in association with JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) indicates that the EGCG in green tea also helps the immune system  fight disease and cell decay. And further research – a study with 40,000 participants over 11 years – informs us that drinking one cup of tea a day may have a positive effect on the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The benefits of green tea continue to be studied, and Bigelow Tea will keep you informed!

Photo: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

February is American Heart Month, a great time to remind ourselves and the ones we love about heart-healthy habits! During American Heart Month, thousands of American Heart Association volunteers visit their neighbors to raise funds for research and education, as well as to share information about heart disease and stroke.

Thanks to nhlbi.nih.gov/for image of the Red Dress Pin

In addition, Friday, February 5, 2010 is National Wear Red Day^®, where Americans nationwide will take womens’ health to heart by wearing red in support of fighting women’s heart disease. The Red Dress^® symbol was created by The Heart Truth^® in 2002 as a wakeup call to American women; heart disease is the number one killer of women, just as it is for men.

A healthy diet is one of the best weapons we have to fight cardiovascular disease – whether male or female. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole-grain and high-fiber foods, fish, lean proteins, fat-free or low-fat dairy products – is important. And what is a more perfect complement to delicious and healthy food, than a great cup of Bigelow Tea!

At a time in many women’s lives (menopausal and  perimenopausal) when your bones may become compromised, there are many practical and organic ways to help prevent bone loss.

Image Courtesy of Thenakedscientists.com

Recent studies have measured the effect that the three major catechins found in green tea have on osteoblasts (bone-forming cells). The trio of catechins used for the study: gallocatechin, gallocatechin gallate and epigallocatechin (EGC).

The results, recorded in American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, were astounding. When the bone cell cultures were exposed to the green tea compounds, the bone strength and growth showed significant increase within the first 72 hours. Much of this improvement can be attributed to the EGC component.  So, there you have it…move your bones through daily exercise and nourish them with three or more cups of green tea each day.

The thing is, many studies show that the antioxidants in green tea are good for you – not only do they help with the prevention or treatment of bone diseases like osteoporosis, but they may also help prevent other serious diseases and may even help reduces stress!

We have always been health conscious at Bigelow Tea. Our selection of green tea runs the gamut from the pure and simple to green tea with fruits like peach, mango and pomegranate or with herbs and flowers like mint and jasmine. Whatever your pleasure, just sip and savor your green tea. Your bones will thank you!

Brian Hagiwara/Jupiterimages.com

Do the antioxidants in green tea prevent cancer? Science cannot answer that question definitively, but new research suggests that you should “go with your gut” and drink lots of green tea. The International Journal Gut published a study in October 2009, finding a strong correlation between drinking green tea and avoiding stomach cancer among women.

This new research deserves all the attention it has garnered from Reuters and other media for two reasons: Gut is an authoritative gastroenterology journal—part of the highly regarded family of British Medical Journal publications. And the new research combines six previous studies totaling 219,080 Japanese men and women over 11 years: that represents 2,285,968 person-years of follow-up. That’s a lot of data, which helps validate its conclusion: “Green tea may decrease the risk of distal gastric cancer in women.”

Specifically, women who drank five or more cups of green tea a day had 20% less stomach cancer than women who drank one cup or less. Other new research that we’ve noted at Bigelowtea.com describes a cancer-fighting compound recently discovered in green tea. According to researchers, the compound, called EGCG, could be used to make new anti-cancer drugs.

The American Cancer Society notes that “changes in diet have helped lower the rate of stomach cancer.” One day tea will undoubtedly be added to the list of foods (such as fruits and vegetables) that ACS recommends, but for now, enjoy Bigelow Green Tea for its other many health properties — as well as its taste!

Thanks to zimbio.com for the Image

Best known for her hilarious and yet totally inappropriate character Karen Walker on the former hit TV series Will & Grace,  Bigelow Tea knows that behind-the-scenes Megan Mullally leads an extremely healthy lifestyle.

Mullally reports to drinking  herbal teas and water exclusively, and credits tea with helping her maintain a fresh, youthful appearance. She explains that a diet of healthier food and drink has contributed to much higher energy levels, which she puts to great use with her Broadway appearances.

An established stage star, cast in hits like Grease and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Mullally is working on her latest stage performance, Karen: the Musical.  Set to open sometime in fall 2010, the musical will revive the beloved character Karen Walker. That’s a revival we can’t wait to see; Will you join us?