Easy way to protect heart - sip
black tea
Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in
black tea, has shown promise in protecting blood vessels against oxidative
damage and lowering cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, said researchers who
based their studies on mice.
Flavonoids are common plant pigment
compounds that act as antioxidants, enhance the effects of vitamin C, and
protect connective tissue around capillaries (blood vessels).
Natalie Ward, research fellow from
the University of Western Australia (UWA) School of Medicine, and pharmacology
professorial fellow Kevin Croft said although their preliminary study is based
on cells and isolated mouse vessels, "our findings have suggested that
quercetin is able to protect vessels against oxidant-induced damage."
The supervisors say there is
evidence to suggest that other dietary flavonoids may reduce blood pressure as
well as bring down the development of atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in
arteries), the journal Biochemical Pharmacology reports.
"Future studies looking at the
effect of flavonoids on CVD should consider using combinations of flavonoids,
as well as dietary sources of flavonoids, rather than supplementation with pure
flavonoids," said Ward and Croft, according to an UWA statement.
Source: www.dnaindia.com
10.01.2013
Mushroom good for obese and diabetics
Mushrooms are good for diabetics since they contain little
or no sugar, says an expert. ‘Cultivated and wild species of mushrooms are
consumed because of their nutritional value. They are rich in essential
nutritional constituents and are good for people with diabetes as they have
little or no sugar,’ said T.N. Lakhanpal from the department of bioscience at
Himachal Pradesh University.
Lakhanpal was among the delegates at the 100th Indian
Science Congress, which ended on Sunday.
According to the scientist, mushrooms, being almost
fat-free, benefit the obese too. On the emerging importance of mushroom
biology, Lakhanpal said: ‘The potential of mushrooms as neutraceuticals has
emerged as an important aspect of mushroom biology in the last 20 years’.
‘Also, all the mushrooms investigated so far have been found to have curative
properties against cancer, HIV and other dreaded diseases,’ he said. Besides
medicinal benefits, mushroom cultivation provides economic benefits, he said.
‘Mushroom cultivation is a cottage and commercial industry and is finding
favour among the rural people.’
Source: http://health.india.com
10.01.2013
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