Slow Aging with Tea

White tea is good at slowing down the aging process of the body. It has ingredients that are effective at boosting the immune function of skin cells and protecting them against the damaging effects of the sun. It also has an extract that protects the skin from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress of the skin causes a breakdown in cellular strength and function. The extract has antioxidant properties that make it very effective. Antioxidants rid the body of free radicals that speed up the aging process. White tea has a high amount of the antioxidant called catechin, which is believed to help prevent stroke, diabetes, cancer, and heart failure.

In a study done on 21 different plant extracts, scientists have found that white tea was better than all of the other botanicals at stalling the activity of the enzymes that wear down elastin and collagen, which are two proteins that help to prevent wrinkles. Elastin helps maintain the elasticity of the skin, lungs, and arteries. Collagen is commonly found in the connective tissue and it is important for the strength and elasticity of the skin.

White tea also has anti-viral and antibacterial properties. It has a considerable amount of both caffeine and the amino acid theorine, both have mood enhancing qualities.

Fight Cancer with Soy

Soy contains compounds called isoflavones that can prevent the growth of tumors and block the stimulation of cancer cells through hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. There are also other substances in soy, such as saponins, phenolic acids, phytic acid, phytosterols, and protein kinase inhibitors, that have anticancer properties. There are isoflavone supplements currently available on the market in pill form.

Increase Metabolism with Protein

Protein can be used to increase metabolism. The body uses more energy to process it than fat or carbohydrates. You can burn up to twice as many calories digesting protein as digesting carbohydrates. Having 28 percent of your calories in your diet coming from protein and reducing carbohydrate intake can burn an extra 150 to 200 calories each day.

When it comes to exercise, eating 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day can keep you nitrogen levels high and allow your body to fully recover from workouts faster. It also helps muscle growth and increasing muscle mass can help to burn even more calories.

Tuna Sushi Found High in Mercury

The New York Times recently did a study of the mercury content of sushi that was sold at 20 random New York City restaurants and found that most of the bluefin tuna that was being sold had mercury levels so high that a regular diet of six pieces a week would be beyond the levels acceptable by the Environmental Protection Agency. Similar results are found other places as well.

Sushi is often eaten because it is low in fat and high in protein but the mercury in it accumulates in the human body. Even small amounts can cause brain development problems, especially in children and pregnant women.