There is no wonder why tea has been a popular drink amongst people for thousands of years now. It is not only delicious to drink but also beneficial for your health. Drinking tea, especially herbal teas, helps to reduce obesity and therefore is an excellent addition to any weight loss plan. When you replace the sugary soda drinks with herbal tea consumption you will immediately notice weight reduction. Along with that, the herbs have additional benefits such as preventing strokes, arthritis, tooth decay and many more such diseases. Here we have a list of 9 different herbal teas that can help in shedding weight.

 

Star anise tea: digestive troubles like upset stomach, diarrhoea, nausea and other such problems can be cured by star anise fruit of a small evergreen anise tree (Illicium verum), which is native to China. A cup of tea made with the entire pod simply by steeping it in hot water can cure almost all digestive issues and also help in boosting the metabolism, which indirectly helps in losing weight.

Peppermint tea: this tea again helps in improving digestion and thus aid in burning more calories. You can make a light, refreshing tea with peppermint leaves and drink it either hot or chilled.

Green tea: green tea contains the chemical EGCG, which helps in enhancing the metabolism process of the body. Thus drinking around three cups help in melting the extra body fats. Along with EGCG, green tea also includes antioxidants, which again boost metabolism and help shed those extra pounds.

Rose tea: rose tea is a blend of fresh roses and a bud of tea and is found to have therapeutic effects. Not only does it clarifies toxins from the body and beautifies the skin, the majority of vitamins in it including vitamin A, B3, C, D and E act against infections, improves digestion by preventing constipation and thus help in losing weight.

Oolong tea: this semi-fermented tea is known to have a stronger effect than green tea in losing weight as it melts the extra body fat, reduce bad cholesterol, and prevents obesity. Having two cups of this herbal tea daily can help you in weight loss.

Chickweed Tea: chickweed is one of the most effective herbs known for helping with weight lost. It is rich in potassium which helps with food cravings. A cup of chickweed tea assists your body to burn more fats.

White Tea: this herbal tea is a great for weight loss because of its EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) content, which is a kind of fat absorption blocker. It promotes the metabolism of your body and is recommended to drink with meals.

• Bilberry Tea: This herbal tea helps to reduce hunger cravings. It contains antioxidants and healthy levels of Vitamin C, which helps in balancing blood sugar and also cleansing the digestive tract of impurities, extra foods, and fats making it an excellent weight loss beverage. Having two cups a day is recommended for losing weight fast.

Arthritis is a disease concerning one or several joints in the body that produces unbearable pain and inflammation. It is typically caused by wear and tear and is treated with pain medication.

 

Though there is no sure shot diet that will alleviate the pain of arthritis, yet according to researchers, there are anti-inflammatory foods that patients of arthritis can benefit by. These are:

Foods that fight arthritis:

Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce the inflammation related to arthritis. COX-2 enzymes causing inflammation of the joints tend to be less active when you’re on a diet of Omega-3 fatty acids. They can be found in meat, snacks, corn and sunflower oil, and in salmon, tuna, mackerel, trout and sardines, walnuts and flaxseeds.

Broccoli: Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bokchoy and kale prevent further arthritis development.

Vitamin D: Those who kept out in the sun or took Vitamin D tablets benefitted by having lesser arthritic pain. The progression of arthritis too slows down immensely when you take Vitamin D tablets. Vitamin D is found in oily fish, bread, dairy products, etc.

Olive oil: Those suffering with arthritis should get on to a Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil. It helps reduce the stiffness and pain associated with arthritis. Add olive oil, lemon juice and vinegar to your salad, and add herbs if you like too.

These are foods that aggravate arthritis, hence should be avoided:

Fried foods: Foods rich in fats like French fries, donuts, fried chicken and fish should not be eaten by arthritis patients. If one overeats these foods, body fat increases and this puts strain on the joints and increases the chances of wear and tear. Since body fat produces chemicals and hormones, it is responsible for heightened inflammation levels. To prevent arthritis from worsening, grill, bake, steam or roast your food.

Sugars &refined carbs: Refined carbohydrates can be seen in foods with white flour. So, white bread, cakes, rolls and biscuits contain them. Refined carbs cause inflammation in the joints and increase levels of cytokines and other inflammatory substances that worsen arthritis. Foods rich in refined carbs should be swapped for their whole grain counterparts such as whole wheat grain, bread, pasta, and wild and brown rice.

Dairy Products: Dairy products contain certain proteins that aggravate the affected arthritis joints. For relief from arthritis, sufferers are known to switch to a vegan lifestyle, where protein from dairy products is absent. They get this protein from green leafy vegetables.

Depression is a commonly experienced feeling. People feel depressed when they lose someone very close to them or very precious, or when their self-esteem takes a big hit. There are many situations in life to which people crumble and end up feeling depressed over prolonged periods. It could also be due to hypothyroidism or anemia.

It is said that 20 million people in the United States suffer from depression. Though most sufferers of depression do not seek medical help, the first step for patients with depression is to speak to their doctor because if left untreated, depression can become chronic. If patients do not want medical help, they can take recourse to any of these natural remedies:

Natural remedies to cure depression:

                                        

St. John’s Wort: This herb helps as a mood upper for nervousness, sadness, anxiety and insufficient sleep. According to research, St. John’s Wort is a good remedy for mild depression. It is available in the form of tablets, capsules, tea or extracts. For best results, patients should take it for about five weeks. They could experience side-effects such as exhaustion, indigestion, dry mouth and dizziness.

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These fatty acids stimulate brain function and since our bodies do not manufacture it, we need to add it to our diet. There is definite research that points to a low intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and depression. By eating a diet of Omega-3 fatty acids foods such as salmon, cod, herring, tuna, sardines or anchovies, you can find relief from depression. Take them in the form of capsules, or as cod liver oil capsules. However, take care not to take it two weeks before and after a surgery.

SAM-e: SAM-e or S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine is a naturally occurring chemical in the human body that enhances levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin and dopamine. It should be taken according to your doctor’s instructions.

Meditation: Meditation helps to quiet the confusion and hurt in the mind and replace it with serenity.

Yoga: There are several effective yoga exercises to fight depression and regain one’s mental control and freedom.

Eat magnesium-rich foods: Foods rich in magnesium can help to improve your moods and add a dash of health to your daily food. Eat pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds and cashew nuts and almonds, apart from legumes and beans, dark leafy veggies to increase your magnesium intake.

Reflexology: In this therapy, a professional applies pressure to certain points on the feet and hands. By manipulating the nerves at these points, the healing process is expedited and the patient experiences relief.

On reaching menopause, a woman is vulnerable to face many health  issues mainly because of the estrogen hormone reducing. However, the risk of many of those health issues can be avoided by consuming a healthy and balanced diet full of essential nutrients. Before discussing about the necessary diet for women after menopause, let’s first take a look at the various health issues that women are prone to after menopause.

Mental health: estrogen is one of the necessary hormones that govern the mental health of a woman. Because of the certain properties of this hormone it protects against memory loss and aids in proper brain functioning. It stimulates production of neurotransmitters and also eliminates the production of free oxygen radicals that cause Alzheimer. When a woman reaches her menopause stage, she becomes more prone to get Alzheimer because of the decline in estrogen production.

Bone Density: because of the lack of estrogen after menopause, a woman becomes more susceptible to osteoporosis, as she tends to lose bone density. Her bones become fragile and get easily fractured. Estrogen is responsible for the resorption of calcium in the bones and also maintains the levels of vitamin D, which is again an important nutrient in maintaining strong bones.

Heart health: Estrogen again is responsible for maintaining a healthy heart. This particular hormone can maintain cholesterol levels, smoothen blood vessels for a normal blood flow and reduce free radicals that affect the arteries. A menopausal woman is at a higher risk of heart ailments due to a fall in estrogen levels.

Diet essential for menopausal woman

Now that we know the various problems that a menopausal woman can face, we also must know that eating a healthy and nutritious diet can help menopausal women avoid many of those problems. Here we have a list of certain foods rich in nutrients that should be included in the diet of a woman after menopause.

 

Fats: unsaturated fats reduce the risk of heart diseases and diabetes and should be therefore consumed in the daily diet of a woman after menopause. These include skimmed milk, nuts, olive oil, peanut butter, avocados etc. While eating these sources of unsaturated fats is necessary, avoiding those with saturated fats is also necessary for a menopausal woman.

Carbohydrates: carbohydrates are one of the essential macro-nutrients that supply the body with energy. Wholegrain cereals like oats, rice, barley and cornmeal, starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, green peas, brown bread and wholemeal pasta are rich sources of carbohydrates that should be included in the diet of a menopausal woman.

Protein: meat products, eggs, nuts, beans and lentils, yogurt, cottage cheese and soy milk are some of the protein rich sources that should be included in the diet of a woman after menopause. Proteins tend to increase the immunity and save from various illnesses and infections.

Calcium: this is yet another important mineral nutrient that the body of woman approaching menopause lacks. Dairy products like, cheese, yogurt, milk, green leafy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, soya beans and tofu are some of the rich sources of calcium. In order to prevent disease like osteoporosis and maintain a good bone health even in old ages, calcium rich foods should be incorporated in the diet of a menopausal women.

Diseases like heart disease, breast cancer, and osteoporosis are some of the most common illnesses that a woman suffers today. These hazardous diseases along with many others can however be altered by changing your sedentary lifestyle and adopting a more healthier routine. Regular exercise along with a nutritious diet for women is very important for maintaining health and getting rid of various diseases, even those that have a risk of life. In this article, we will be discussing a few essential nutrients required by every woman to stay strong and fit throughout her life.

When you consume the recommended servings of the major food groups that contain essential nutrients, your body becomes strong enough to literally combat almost every disease that can interfere with your daily life. Here we have a list of six of those essential nutrients, incorporating them in your daily diet can do wonders for you by helping you maintain a proper metabolic function, hormone balance and bone strength.

Magnesium: this mineral is required in about 300 enzyme and metabolic reactions in the body of a woman. It’s deficiency can cause headaches, irritability, weakness, irregular heartbeat, constipation, and insomnia. Magnesium is required in your body to keep nerves and muscles functioning normally. It also helps in keeping up with a healthy immune and metabolic system. Green leafy vegetables, seaweed, avocado, nuts, chocolate, beans, brown rice and millets contain magnesium and should be included in a women’s diet.

Calcium: If you want to manage your bone health and prevent diseases like osteoporosis, you must include calcium rich foods in your diet. Besides maintaining the health of your bones and teeth, this mineral is also required for nerve transmission, intracellular signalling, and hormonal secretion. Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt etc. and non dairy products like sea vegetables, cabbage, kale and broccoli as well as juices and cereals must be included in your diet.

Iron: this mineral is essential for the body as it enhances the hemoglobin protein that is required to carry oxygen in the blood. A deficiency of iron causes fatigue, weakness, less immunity, anemia and a lesser amount of hemoglobin.  Iron rich food sources include red meats, fish and plant food sources like lentils, beans, molasses, dried apricots, and raisins.

Zinc: this is an essential mineral known to boost the immune system in your body by increasing the white blood cell count.  It is also required for the functioning of many enzymes, regulating hormones, the tissue healing process and also increases the fertility of a woman. Oyster and pumpkin seeds, beans, nuts, whole grains and various meat products are rich sources of zinc and therefore necessary to be included in your diet.

Iodine: iodine is an essential mineral known to prevent and also treat many thyroid problems such as thyroid gland enlargement, which in turn can lead to breast cancer. The deficiency of this mineral can effect the metabolism, nerve and muscle functions, nails, skin, hair, teeth, and has profound effects on mental and physical growth of the body. Therefore iodine rich foods including seafood and sea weeds should be included in your diet.