Drink some tea! It is good for you.

Here is a tip on what kind of tea is best.

Unlike black tea, green tea is not fermented, so its active ingredients are not changed. Green tea has polyphenols which is a potent antioxidant that appears to help with various cancers. Green tea is also given credit toward regulating blood glucose levels, lowering cholesterol levels and even helping promote weight loss.

The polyphenols in green tea can also stimulate the production of immune system cells. studies in both humans and animals suggest that green tea may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, promote oral health, lower blood pressure, protects the nervous system and has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Studies have shown that to reap the benefits of any anti-aging effects of green tea, an individual needs to drink at least 3 cups a day.

Here is a sample anti-aging menu that will get your started with some green tea!

Breakfast

Oat brain with raisins and walnuts with soy milk

1/2 grapefruit

1 cup green tea

Snack

1 cup vegetable juice

Lunch

Veggie chili ( made with soy crumbles)

Whole grain crackers

Fresh pear, apple or banana

1 cup green tea

Snack

8 ounces of soy milk

Dinner

Poached salmon

Veggies with wild rice

Avocado salad with red leaf lettuce, avocados, red peppers, tomato, olive oil and vinegar

1/2 cup blueberries

1 cup green tea

Some more healthful tips on tea in general:

According to David Grotto in his book 101 Foods that Could Save Your Life, Tea comes in many forms, but the better and healthier ones tend to be ground finer. Therefore, the tea in tea bags may be healthier than the loose varieties. Because bagged tea is ground finer, there is more surface area to extract more polyphenols ( antioxidants) when it is submerged in hot water.

Taken in part from: Mitchell, D. ( 2008) Foods that Combat Aging. New York, NY. Harper-Collins

and Grotto, D. ( 2011) 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life. New York, NY, Bantam Books.