Your Health and Your Protein Shake

Protein drinks are drinks with high protein content.  They are made by adding a protein source to fluids.  There are also protein powders available in drug stores and groceries.  They are considered food and nutrient supplements.  With the popularity of protein drinks and powders, are these drinks beneficial or detrimental to our health.

Proteins are indeed necessary for our body.  Protein helps in building muscles, skins, hairs, nails and internal organs.  There are twenty amino acids needed for the human body to grow.  Eight amino acids are produced by our body. They are necessary and should be present in the food we eat. While, the other twelve amino acids are manufactured within the body.

Manufactures and some studies showed that after a protein drinks are necessary to drink after intense exercise or training where muscle tissues are damaged.  Protein is needed and necessary to repair muscles after physical exertion.  Therefore, it is imperative that a person who is exercising intensely should consume more protein.

But there are contrasting beliefs.  There are some studies that agree that resistance and endurance training can really break down muscle protein and increase the need for protein consumption.  But even so, there is no need to consume protein drinks.  Why?

During intense exercise, there is an increased need for calories which is proportional to increase need of protein.  So, when the amount of food that you eat increases, so does your calorie intake and your protein intake increases proportionally.  Eating plant foods like vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts can get you the protein amount you need without drinking protein shakes and powders.

There are some studies concerning protein shakes and powders.  These studies showed that when whey protein is added to rat diet, there is a relative increase of tumors and cancers.  That is why most researchers and health care professionals, show concern on the high consumption of protein supplements.

But both sides agree that protein drinks should never be the only source of protein.   As mentioned, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains can amount into about 50 grams of protein per 1000 calories.  Consuming green vegetables would give you the needed protein without heart and cancer risks.  Also, animal products are good sources of protein.

Aside from the protein that you will get from these vegetables, you also get natural antioxidants that can protect you against other risks of heart diseases, hypertension and cancer.

Too much is never too wise.  In a survey, the East German Olympic team of 1964, which are composed of 600 athletes, there are less than 10 people alive today.  Muscular growth and increased body mass with the aid of supplements and steroids increased the factors for heart attacks and other diseases in the long run.  This served as a reminder for us, we need to consider the long tern effects of what we are consuming, eating or drinking right now.

Protein drinks and other kinds of supplements can definitely have an impact on out health. It could be bad or good.   We should always consider the long term effects and not only the short term impact of what we eat and drink.  But good health can never be measured with how big our biceps and laterals are.

Our physical size can never be the basis of good health.  It can be judged by our strength, resistance to illnesses, longevity, and our youthful vigor as we grow old.

Green Tea is a Great Health Drink

Green tea is one of the best health drinks around. In fact, the Chinese have used this for more than 4,000 years which is why we should drink it as well and experience its benefits.

The benefits of drinking green tea include regulating your blood sugar, preventing certain cancers, fighting plaque, lowering your cholesterol and slowing down the aging process.

But what makes green tea so special is the fact that it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate also known as EGCG.

This is a powerful anti-oxidant that does two things. First it inhibits the growth of cancer cells and second, it kills cancer cells without harming any healthy tissue. It also lowers your cholesterol by inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots which causes someone to have either a heart attack or stroke.

Green tea is able to fight tooth decay because it inhibits the major bacteria called Streptococcus mutans from forming in between the teeth. At the same time, drinking this regularly also helps prevent gum disease.

Some people might ask, don’t other types of tea have the same benefits as green tea? They do but what sets green tea apart is how it is processed. The other products are not steamed so the EGCG compound which was explained earlier is not oxidized.

So what are you waiting for? Go down to the supermarket and buy a box of green tea and starting drinking it so you are able to experience its many healthy benefits. If the taste is bland after you pour it into your cup, add some flavoring by adding sugar, honey or even a lemon wedge.

You might be wondering, when is the best time to drink green tea? Since it contains caffeine, you should only drink this first thing in the morning and at different times during the day. You must never drink caffeine when you are hungry because this will just increase your appetite or at night because it will make it hard for you to get a good night’s sleep.

Since it will take some time to finish a box of green tea, proper storage is important. To do that, make sure this is kept in an airtight container once you open it and away from light. You can also put it in the refrigerator at a temperature between 38 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

People who are allergic to caffeine should not drink green tea. If you are pregnant, drink this in moderation. If you happen to have some left over green tea from the day before, throw it away and just make a new one because it is best to drink when it is fresh from the kettle.

Green tea just like coffee contains caffeine. This might lead you to the conclusion that this makes this drink just as bad as coffee but in reality, it isn’t because the caffeine content in green tea is fifty percent less than coffee.

There is no doubt that a health drink like green tea can do a lot for you. If you have never tried it before, it is never too late to start to boil a water of water and putting in a tea bag. You can drink it separately or do what the English do and serve this with a few biscuits.