Green Tea & Weight Loss

2008-03-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

Green Leaf Tea
By Dover Read

What is green tea?

All tea plants belong to the same species-Camellia sinensis, a perennial evergreen shrub. Due to the varied conditions under which tea plants are grown (different altitudes, climate, soils) this produces a wide range of distinctive leaves and flavors. The way the leaves are processed also produce different types of tea - including black tea, green tea and oolong tea.

Tea plants produce a berry, have lots of foliage, and also have a flower like a camellia. The smallest and youngest leaves are harvested by hand, usually every 1 - 2 weeks depending on the altitude where the tea plants are growing. Generally the lower the altitude the faster the plant grows.

Tea plants grow in warm climates. The best teas, however, are produced by plants grown at higher altitudes where the leaves mature more slowly and yield a richer flavor. Depending upon the altitude, a new tea plant may take from 2 1/2 to 5 years to be ready for commercial picking, but once productive, it can provide tea leaves for close to a 100 years.

Green tea is the least processed and thus provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, notably a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to drinking green tea. Black and oolong tea is produced from tea leaves that have been fermented and then dried, whereas green tea is steamed and then the leaves are dried. The steaming process is the best for retaining all the goodness within the leaves.

How to Make a Good Cup of Green Tea.

The flavor of tea is enhanced with good quality water, although you should not use distilled water, as tea needs the minerals that are present in water to bring out the tea's flavors. After boiling the water it should be let stand for 2 - 3 minutes before being added to the tea. The tea should then be left to brew for a further 3 - 4 minutes. Green tea is generally taken without milk or sugar being added.

The Health Benefits of Green Tea Include:

Promotes good heart health
Lowers cholesterol
Reduces heart attacks
Aids in weight loss
Prevents skin damage
Improves circulation
Helps with good digestive health
Soothes stress
Is antibacterial
Helps protect against diabetes
And strengthens bones

Avoid Green Tea if you have kidney disease, a weak heart, an overactive thyroid, a susceptibility to spasms, or a tendency to anxiety or panic attacks.

Could you Change from Coffee to a healthier Green Tea?

Visit http://www.benefitsofgreenleaftea.blogspot.com/ to learn more about Green Tea.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dover_Read

2008-03-15T18:04:00.001-07:00

AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract
By Danny Brown

Need an added push to get your weight loss goals in gear? AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract is a distinctive mix of green tea and ginseng extract. From the name itself, you realize that AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract is a drink that will provide you countless health and weight loss benefits.

AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract is drawn from the lightly steamed leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract has a vast following among a distinct group of weight loss enthusiasts, who are herbal tea drinkers.

AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract contains catechin polyphenols that help change fats into heat energy through thermogenesis. According to research conducted by Swiss and American scientists, the green tea in AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract promotes a remarkable four percent increase in the body's total energy use. This energy use translates into a weight loss benefit of up to 10 lbs. a month.

The low quantity of caffeine found in AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract increases the body's metabolic rate. This caffeine content is not excessive enough to create any damaging side effects usually associated with caffeine-based products. AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract is therefore a safe product to use. Unlike ephedra, AriZona Diet Green Tea will not raise your heart rate or cause heart palpitations and other cardiovascular complications. If anything, AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract will even prevent that from happening. Studies conducted on the benefits of polyphenols present in AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract explain that they help lower cholesterol levels in the body. AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract helps keep the balance between the LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterols. Besides that, it has been noted that drinkers of AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract are less likely to develop a stroke compared to those who drink other drinks.

AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract is also excellent for preserving the complete well being of the body. The antioxidants found in AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract help stop free radicals from harming the body by making it vulnerable to diseases and aging. With its immune-boosting properties, AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract keeps you feeling young and healthy.

AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract also contains the amino acid Theanine. This substance in AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng works as a mood-enhancer and stress-reliever. Adding to the role of AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract, as a promoter of good health and well being.

Ginseng in AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract can improve the immune system, lower blood sugar levels, and lessen the risk of certain cancers. It improves adrenal function, physical performance, and mental alertness. All these make ginseng the perfect companion for green tea in AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract. Other ingredients in AriZona Diet Green Tea with Ginseng Extract are Chromium for fat and sugar metabolism, citric acid, and all-natural flavors.

If you want to read more about AriZona Diet Green Tea, Please visit http://www.GreenTeaDietSite.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Brown

2008-03-15T17:59:00.001-07:00

Protecting Your Heart - Green Tea and Green Tea Extract
By Kerry Mott

Studies have concluded recently that including Green Tea and/or Green Tea Extract into your diet may be very wise regarding your heart health. Currently, heart disease is the number 1 killer of US citizens so understanding how green tea or green tea extract works in your system to defend against coronary illness may be extremely valuable information for many. Studies have shown that green tea can combat heart disease in few ways:

Green Tea Extract Can Reduce Cholesterol

Green tea’s powerful antioxidant properties can reduce plaque build up ( bad cholesterol or "Low density lipoproteins (LDL)" ) in the arteries which can directly cause heart attack and stroke. Of course, knowing that you should keep your arteries clear from bad cholesterol is nothing new, yet many people are unaware that drinking green tea can be a totally effective and safe way to accomplish this. Recent studies at the “Cedars-Sinai Medical Center” have supported this .

Another relatively recent ( 2003 )12 week study from the “Archives of Internal Medicine” showed that participants taking green tea extract had a drop in “bad” cholesterol of 15% and their “total” cholesterol fell by 10%.

Green Tea Can Reduce Cell Damage

Green Tea’s powerful antioxidant properties can reduce the level of cell death that occurs after heart attack and stroke. During a stroke or heart attack many cells are damaged due to lack of oxygen to the brain, and much of the cell damage is irreversible which is known as “cell death”. The powerful component in Green tea and green tea extract “EGCG” has the amazing ability to speed recovery of damaged cells.

EGCG is a powerful catechin, a biological compound produced in green tea that is responsible for the amazing inherent antioxidant properties which are so beneficial. A cup of green tea provides upwards of 40mg of polyphenols ( catechin group) and has antioxidant activity greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots or strawberries.

How much Green Tea is Effective?

While there is no RDA for Green tea or Green tea extract since it’s not considered an essential nutrient it has been reported that taking about 240-320mg daily is beneficial to overall heart health. This benefit can be derived from drinking about 4 cups of green tea daily or taking one 300mg green tea extract capsule daily. There is no difference in potency; the extract is recommended for those who may not like to drink tea but still want the powerful health benefits.

So, drinking just a few cups of green tea daily could become part of your heart disease prevention routine, along with a sane diet plan and exercise you should surely be much more healthy and of course, feel great. It’s very low cost, has virtually no side effects (there is 40mg of caffeine in 8 oz cup of tea, much less than coffee however) is totally natural and is delicious hot or cold!

For more information on the powerful heart health benefits of Green Tea and Green tea extract visit Green Tea lowers cholesterol

Or you can also visit http://www.wulongtea-info.com, for more information on the amazing benefits of Green Tea.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kerry_Mott

2008-03-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

Fight Cancer!

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a per son’s lifetime.

3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg’s amino’s or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minute s to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

THINGS TO AVOID
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.

MORE INFORMATION
Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer.Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don’t freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.Paper isn’t bad but you don’t know what is in the paper. It’s just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

2008-03-07T13:52:00.001-08:00

Green Tea Extract For Diet - The Truth Revealed About The Oprah Green Tea Extract Diet
By Karin I Manning

The Green Tea Diet and the green tea extract for diet became well-known around the world when it appeared on the award winning Oprah television show in 2004. This article will reveal the truth about the Oprah green tea extract diet.

Dr Nigel Perricone, a Green Tea extract diet supporter, appeared on Oprah as her special guest. Although the Oprah show was called "Look 10 years younger in 10 days" the Oprah Green Tea Diet was a highlight and not long after Oprah went to air with the Green Tea diet a buzz started all over the health and fitness world.

Dr Perricone, a highly regarded author of numerous health and diet books, has also authored a specific green tea diet book about the numerous advantages and health benefits of the Oprah Green Tea Extract Diet.

The Green Tea Diet Book was called "The Perricone Prescription". A large group of people declare that it was his very emergence on the Oprah Winfrey Show that actually produced the now famous Green Tea Diet.

It became so famous and created such a craze due to one specific conversation between Oprah and her Green Tea Diet supporter. In that exchange Dr Perricone was questioned about a speech in his book that alleged that if you replace coffee with Green Tea you can lose up to ten pounds in just six short weeks.

Dr Perricone responded with his Green Tea Diet philosophy as follows:

"Coffee has organic acids that raise your blood sugar, raise insulin. Insulin puts a lock on body fat. When you switch over to green tea, you get your caffeine, you're all set, but you will drop your insulin levels and body fat will fall very rapidly. So 10 pounds in six weeks, I will guarantee it."

At the time of that conversation no one readily appreciated how he could make such a bold allegation about the Green Tea Extract Diet. Nevertheless, that one statement caused an utter frenzy all over the world for people all trying to lose weight.

The truth is that the astounding weight loss being achieved on the Green Tea diet is just one of the numerous miracle-like benefits of simply drinking Green Tea. There are a lage number of remedial benefits of drinking Green Tea and research has confirmed that consuming a small amount like just one cup of Green Tea a day can greatly assist in weight reduction and fat burning.

Green Tea promotes fat oxidization more than is simply provided by the caffeine contained in green tea. Oprah is also a firm devotee of the Green Tea diet and has implemented Green Tea into her diet plan and daily regime.

Oprah boldy states wholeheartedly that the Green Tea Diet has helped her a great deal with achieving her weight loss and diet goals. Additionally, Oprah alleges that drinking Green Tea gives her extensive energy stores and has also assisted her in keeping her weight off which has been a long standing problem for Oprah, as her viewers would realize.

The Oprah Green Tea Diet can greatly help overweight people lose weight but the Oprah green tea extract diet can also help in other ways other than weight loss including reducing your cholesterol, hypertension, cancer prevention, liver damage and a lot more. The Oprah Green Tea Diet will help you lose weight but it also great for your whole wellbeing and health.

Copyright 2007. Wait! Are you after more green tea secrets to improve your health? Learn all the health benefits of green tea today. Green tea has many health benefits and helps with many medical conditions including cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, hypertension, diabetes, weight loss and a lot more. Learn all about green tea including the different green tea products available including gum, perfume, shampoo, pills, creams and weight loss teas PLUS buy your green tea products direct from my website at a discount now. PLUS get FREE instant access to the secrets of green tea via email. Go to my one stop Green Tea shop at health-benefit-of-green-tea.com now and start making Green tea a part of your daily life today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karin_I_Manning

2008-03-07T13:36:00.001-08:00

Lipton Green Tea Considered
By Lance Winslow

We all know that tea is very good for us and it makes sense to drink more of it and less soda pop and other such drinks. Lipton tea is 100% Natural Tea and has 150 mg of protective natural antioxidants per serving and that is why I drink it. You see, Lipton Green teas is 100% natural and some of the best tea you can buy.

Other customers say that is great; “Suppose to be healthy for you with all the anti-oxidants” and the best customers go thru a couple gallons per week. Tea makes you look younger too and gives you energy as well. You know it also costs a lot less to drink tea too, for 100 bags at $2.50 lasts you about 3-weeks. 2-quarts per day is possible when it is really hot out, of course it varies with the drinker.

Many tea drinkers choose Lipton because it is really inexpensive and you can get it just about anywhere. It is surprising that more people do not drink tea, as they would longer, happier and more healthy lives if they did. Do you drink tea, if not give it a try for a few weeks and see if you can break your habit and enjoy something much better for you.

Some people load their tea up with lots of sugar and this is still better than drinking soft drinks, but you really should cut out as much as you can of the sugar as well. A teaspoon is not so bad, but lets not load it up and defeat the purpose. Consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

2008-03-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

Important Information About a Green Tea Diet Plan by Morgan Buchanan

Everyone keeps telling us that green tea is one of those products that is really good for us. We often start to glaze over and lose interest since we just don't know why this is the case and they go into a long scientific spiel.

Fairly recently one of the good things about green tea that has been discovered is its ability to help people lose weight. For many people green tea can help jumpstart your weight loss program even though some would probably dismiss it as quackery.

The Basics of a Green Tea Diet Plan

Some kind of green tea product is obviously included in a green tea diet plan. A dieter typically takes a certain amount of green tea supplements along with other helpful additives as well. Green tea extracts by themselves are often used in diet pills, weight loss supplements or appetite suppressants which can help you lose weight Green Tea.

The basics are fairly simple of why exactly a green tea diet plan works. According to research, a green tea diet plan works because the green tea supplements help your body burn fat via a process called 'thermogenics.'

All green tea diet plans are going to have a standard disclaimer as with any dietary supplement. Before using this product you should consult your physician. You should do this simply because a lot of herbal supplements have the chance of interacting with prescriptions and over the counter medications which can cause adverse side effects on your body.

Using a green tea diet plan in conjunction with a sensible, healthy eating plan is another type of standard disclaimer. You obviously don't want to eat more than you were before you began dieting if you are trying to lose weight. However, for some they can justify the thought by relying on the green tea diet plan to just take care of the extra food.

There is no miracle diet plan or supplement. Weight won't melt off your body overnight; and for you diet to work you need common sense and moderation. A weight loss diet can help be supplemented by a green tea diet plan, but it can't be done all by itself. Being sensible in your eating can help your diet and a little exercise is always a good idea Green Tea Types.

About the Author

Morgan Buchanan is an expert on the Basics of a Green Tea Diet Plan.

2008-02-27T20:48:00.000-08:00

A Snapshot Guide to Japanese Loose Leaf Green Tea
By Brigita Feltham

There are many kinds of loose leaf Japanese green teas produced in Japan. If you go to a specialty tea store in Japan, you would be amazed at the range available to sample. It can be quite daunting for the amateur tea-drinker. Having lived in Japan for 4 years, I have found that sencha and gyokuro green tea are both popular and can be enjoyed by following the tips below.

Sencha Green Tea

The most widely drunk green tea in Japan is sencha green tea. Japanese people drink several cups a day with a meal or between meals. Sencha green tea is made by a process of steaming, drying and rolling of the leaves. The steaming process halts the oxidation of the leaves and maintains the high level of polyphenols in the tea. This process differentiates it from black tea, where the leaves are left out in the sun to oxidize-turning the leaves from green to brown.

The taste and flavour of loose leaf sencha will vary depending on the grade of sencha. Premium sencha green tea has a mild, slightly sweet flavour. Lower grade tea produced from later pickings of the tea bush, will tend to be more astringent than premium grade green tea, produced from the first picking. The brewing of loose leaf green tea is important as water that is too hot, or over-brewing the tea leaves, will produce more astringent green tea.

When brewing green tea you should allow 1 heaped teaspoon (5g) per 240ml (8oz.) cup of water. You should pour the desired amount of water into the teapot to first heat the teapot. After 30 seconds, pour the water into a tea cup (so you are also warming the tea cup). When brewing loose leaf sencha you should not use freshly boiled water, as this will scorch the tea leaves. By heating the teapot and tea cups you can reduce the temperature to about 70-80 degrees C (165-176 degrees F). Once the water has cooled, add the desired amount of leaves to the teapot, followed by the water. Brew sencha green tea for 2 minutes.

Gyokuro Green Tea

Gyokuro green tea is the highest grade of green tea in Japan. It is usually drunk from small tea cups and it is usually sold in smaller quantities than most other green teas. Gyokuro leaves are a rich, dark green because the bushes are covered with reed screen two or three weeks prior to picking. This protects the leaves from direct sunlight, and helps to produce a subtler and mellow flavour than sencha green tea. When sencha leaves are picked, they are steamed and then dried. The leaf stems and veins are removed in the drying process. And unlike other green teas, the leaves are not rolled.

Gyokuro green tea has a mild and delicate flavour. There should be little taste of astringency when drinking gyokuro green tea. When you brew gyokuro you should use 2 heaped teaspoons per 240ml (8oz.) cup of water. Heat the teapot and tea cups as explained above (with sencha green tea), and let the water cool slightly longer to about 50-60 degrees C(122-140 degrees F). You should steep the tea for 2-3 minutes.

Brewing loose leaf green tea is that simple. Try to use purified water, as using tap water will affect the taste. Also take care not to use water too hot and to over-brew the tea. If you use these tips, you should be able to make a delicious cup of tea. The other great thing about loose leaf green tea, is you can brew the tea 2-3 times. You can leave the tea leaves to steep a little longer with each brewing.

Brigita Feltham is the creator and owner of Infusious Tea. After spending 4 years in Japan, green tea became a part of Brigita's daily lifestyle.

Brigita began to study tea ceremony and found out that not only does green tea have wonderful health benefits, but it also has a rich cultural tradition in Japan.

For more information on Japanese green tea please visit:

http://www.japan-green-tea.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brigita_Feltham

2008-01-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

Best Brand Of Green Tea - How To Find The Best Brand Of Green Tea
By Karin I Manning

The best brand of green tea is not hard to find. There is a green tea currently taking over the world as people start to learn all the incredible benefits of green tea. This article will discuss how to find the best brand of green tea for your individual needs.

Choosing the best brand of green tea is really an individual matter. Nevertheless, there are things that you should be aware of when you begin your search for the best brand of green tea.

The best brand of green tea that anyone can buy (and is usually priced accordingly) is produced from the very first two green tea leaves and the bud from the green tea plant itself.

Failing locating that brand of green tea, it is important to note that the quality of green tea can vary significantly from crop to crop. For example, one year a green tea grower can have a bumper green tea crop and even win awards for it. However, the following year that same award-winning tea producer's crop is anything but extraordinary.

When looking for the best brand of green tea another point worth noting is that usually the best brand of green tea doesn't even make it to western shores and stays in China and Japan. Usually the best brand and quality of green tea is kept in the country of its production and is only sold to wealthy private buyers.

There are certain times of year when the best green tea is harvested and this is what you should look out for when looking for the best brand of green tea. The purest and highest quality green teas are usually harvested in very early spring which in the relevant countries is March and April. When looking for the best brand of green tea you will be on the lookout for the first and second flush of green tea for the crop year. Why this brand of green tea is so ideal is that these green tea leaves are very young and tender and have also not been harmed by hot sun rays.

Another method for locating the best brand of green tea is by buying your green tea from green tea harvested from a single plantation. Why this brand of green tea is so sought after is the fact that these green tea leaves all come from the one harvest and location. Usually when you buy green tea brands from a range of green tea plantations is the quality of each green tea crop is not that ideal and of a poorer quality than if the green tea were all purchased from one single plantation.

There are many high quality green teas on the market at an affordable price. Nevertheless, as with many things in life, you do get what you pay for when it comes to consuming green tea. Additionally, with the increasing popularity of green tea green tea can now be easily purchased online.

Of course the best brand of green tea may not be a taste that you like. For this reason it is important to find a green tea that you really enjoy the taste of and there can be a vast difference in green tea flavours. For example, some green tea blends have a very earthy flavour while others have a much gentler and more palatable flavour. Usually Japanese green tea blends are much more earthy in flavour than their Chinese counterparts.

Truthfully, the best brand of green tea for you is one that you find delicious and one that is easy to implement into your quality of life and dietary plans. There are numerous benefits of green tea. The sooner you start drinking green tea, whether you drink the best brand or not, the sooner your whole body will be able to benefit from the amazing health benefits of green tea.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karin_I_Manning

Green Tea and Hoodia - The Magic Weight Loss Combination For You? by Vienna Miller

2008-01-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

One of the most popular combinations in diet pills these days is green tea and Hoodia. Green tea is added to many Hoodia Gordonii pills, liquids and even patches to help speed up fat burning and weight loss.

What's the big deal? Is green tea with Hoodia better than Hoodia alone? Is green tea and Hoodia a magical combination for weight loss? Here's a brief review of the benefits of each to help you decide.

#1 Appetite Suppressing Hoodia

Hoodia Gordonii is a cactus of the "succulent" cactus family, which has grown for thousands of years in the Kalahari Desert region of South Africa. It's been used for years by the San people of southern Africa as a natural appetite suppressant during their long hunting trips for generations.

When it's potent appetite-suppressing effects become known several years back, Hoodia practically became the #1 natural diet aid overnight. It was shown in studies to help reduce calorie intake by approximately 1000 calories per day.

How does it work?

Normally when you eat, the glucose in your body rises and eventually signals to your brain (the hypothalamus) that you are full. Hoodia Gordonii mimics the effect that glucose has on your brain, telling the hypothalamus (which is responsible for hunger and fullness feelings) that you feel full. Consequently you have no desire to eat.

In fact, it is reported that Hoodia is actually 10,000 times stronger than glucose at signalling your hypothalamus to stop eating.

#2 Metabolism Boosting Green Tea

Sipping green tea can have several weight loss benefits. For one, it has been proven to boost your metabolism. A study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a metabolism 'boost').

The researchers also concluded that that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract increases the metabolic rate by 4%. These effects are probably due to the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).

Green tea also inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation. Experts tell us that the catechins in green tea help to inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea may also act as a glucose regulator. It helps to slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage) and the subsequent fat storage.

Given the benefits of both Green Tea and Hoodia, it's no surprise that popular Hoodia pills like Hoodia Gordonii Plus often add green tea to their Hoodia capsules. Green tea can help speed up the weight loss results you get when taking Hoodia.

It is important to note however that even though green tea can be a powerful boost to your weight loss plan, it does contain caffeine.

So if you find that caffeine makes you jittery or gives you other problems, you should steer clear of any Hoodia product that contains green tea. You might be better off to stick with a product that contains just Hoodia like Hoodia Balance.

Bottom line? On their own, Hoodia and green tea are both great tools to help you lose weight. One helps you regulate your appetite, the other helps to boost your metabolism and aid in blood sugar regulation. Together, they can be a powerful fat-burning combination.

As with everything, make sure you consult your health care practitioner before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Vienna Miller writes for Hoodia Diet Pill Reviews - offering an easy way to find the best Hoodia pills, patches, liquids & free sample offers.

For more Hoodia comparison charts, reviews & money-saving links, visit: http://www.BestHoodiaReview.com

2007-12-19T19:55:00.000-08:00

Fit to a Tea! The Link between Green Tea and Weight Loss
By Lee Dobbins

Green tea is the latest health drink that has taken the whole world by storm. Nowadays, if you want to be healthy, you have to be drinking green tea regularly. Although there are many studies that have provided well-documented evidence to the perceived benefits of green tea, only a few have extensively tackled the link between green tea and weight loss.

Can this healthy drink lead the path to physical fitness as well?

The Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

Before we attempt establishing a link between green tea and weight loss, let's begin by studying the various health benefits associated with green tea.

Green tea is actually a drink that has been used for medicinal purposes as early as four centuries ago in China. Today, it continues to be a widely important drink in the Eastern world although its influence is growing in the Western hemisphere as well especially because more and more people are becoming health conscious.

Besides providing general aid to the human body and helping it become and stay healthy, green tea can also assist in the following situations:

Impede Growth of Cancer Cells - Numerous researches have already shown that drinking green tea can indeed slow the growth of cancer cells, possibly enough for medical professionals to perform a successful operation and save patients from certain death.

Reduce Cholesterol Levels - Several studies have also shown that there's a link between cholesterol levels and green tea. The more you drink, the lower your cholesterol levels. This will be discussed further later on and when the connection between green tea and weight loss will be established.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - People suffering from arthritic problems can now have a less painful lifestyle with the help of green tea. The curative properties of green tea can effectively reduce the symptoms of arthritis in the long run, enabling affected individuals to have a normal lifestyle once more.

Other possible benefits for drinking tea are a more effective treatment for infection and heart diseases and even the prevention of tooth decay.

The Link between Green Tea and Weight Loss

Finally, we come to the most important part: can drinking green tea help you lose weight?

If you ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they'll either say no directly or appear undecided since they're maintaining the position that the health benefits of green tea are still unproven. The American Medical Association, however, states the contrary and some of the benefits it does acknowledge include possible links to weight loss.

Lowering Cholesterol Levels - Once again, we go back to cholesterol, which is a compound that can make it harder for us to lose weight. There are two types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL. The latter is what causes us weight problems, and thankfully, drinking green has been shown to effectively reduce the amount of LDL in our bodies.

Increased Metabolism - A body's metabolism rate determines the speed of which our body is able to digest the food we've eaten. A higher metabolism rate is generally better for people who intend to lose weight because this means that their bodies are able to quickly get rid of the food they've consumed, thus preventing them to carry excess fats.

Lower Stress Levels - Stress and pressure has been long acknowledged as an important factor in gaining weight. Consequently, if you can significantly lower your stress levels, you'll have better chances of losing weight. Drinking green tea has also been shown to have the desired effect on a person's stress levels because of the high amount of antioxidants it possesses.

Possible Concerns When Drinking Green Tea

Drinking green tea however is not for everyone. If you are carrying or breast-feeding, anemic, or experiencing sleeping problems, certain properties of green tea may simply aggravate your situation so it's best if you consult your doctor first before proceeding to drink green tea.

In the end, whether you believe or not that green tea can help you lose weight, you'll gain more and lose nothing at all if you try drinking it all the same. Drinking green tea to be healthy has already been satisfactorily proven; if it helps you lose pounds as well then so much the better! If it doesn't, then at least you're healthy!

Lee Dobbins writes for http://tea.topicgiant.com where you can learn more about different kinds of tea including green tea.

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2007-12-19T19:54:00.000-08:00

Green Tea Weight Loss Patch
By Danny Brown

The frenzy towards low carb diets has brought the start of a number of dieting products that are based on low carb approaches. One of the latest products to strike the dieting marketplace are weight loss patches.

Inspired by the success of nicotine patches marketers struck on the concept that weight loss patches may perform the same way. Weight loss patches are mainly intended for people who fail to remember to take their usual dosage of weight loss supplements or capsules. With weight loss patches, an individual will no longer have to to take pills as he will have a 24-hour source of weight loss material stuck to his skin.

Weight loss patches are generally made from such ingredients as algae and seaweed which are recognized appetite-suppressants. Later studies on weight loss and diets led to the use of green tea as a weight loss patch.

Green Tea as Weight Loss Patches

As far back as the Ming dynasty and maybe even before than that, green tea has been used as herbal therapy and as a health drink in China. In current times, speculations on the use of green tea as a potential therapy for cancer have arisen due to the finding that the polyphenol substance found in green tea can prevent cancer cells from growing.

The polyphenols in green tea weight loss patches also have other uses. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that green tea polyphenols can speed up the metabolic rate of the body. With this new finding, quite a few companies specializing in pharmaceutical products have started introducing green tea into the market as a supplement either in the form of diet pills or weight loss patches.

Green tea weight loss patches are an improved option to other products because they have no unpleasant side-effects. Other substances that bring about weight loss like ephedra may raise heart rates which could lead to cardiovascular complications.

Green tea weight loss patches are good for people with high LDL, the bad cholesterol found in the body. Since the antioxidants in green tea weight loss patches break up LDL cholesterols, while at the same time enhancing the good cholesterol levels in the body, a balance in the body is achieved which could only lead to overall good health and well-being.

Green tea weight loss patches work in two ways. First, they quell hunger organically and safely. A review at the University of Chicago showed that rats when injected with green tea can lose up to 21% of their bodyweight. This is due to the fact that a substance present in green tea acts as a natural appetite-suppressant that staves off hunger.

Green tea weight loss patches also increase metabolism. With their high-level epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) content, green tea weight loss patches have a distinctive advantage over stimulant diet drugs which can be dangerous to individuals with hypertension and heart complications.

If you want to read more about green tea diet patches, Visit Danny Brown's site at http://www.GreenTeaDietSite.com

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2007-12-19T19:52:00.000-08:00

Green Tea Weight Loss Supplement
By Alex Fir

Most weight loss experts agree that weight loss supplements can significantly help you in your battle for curves and muscles. Of the 3 commonly used weight loss supplements in the market these days, green tea weight loss supplement seems the most promising. The other two are protein and ephedra.

It has been discovered that some properties found in green tea makes it a great organic alternative to weight loss supplements.

The use of green tea extract in weigh loss supplements was spurred by the recently concluded study by American and Swiss scientists. The study found that green tea has a lot of antioxidants that can cause an increase in energy expenditure of the body.

Green tea weight loss supplement contain both caffeine and the chemical epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). When these 2 substances in green tea react to each other, metabolism rates increase along with the body’s 24-hour energy expenditure. Green tea’s EGCG also triggers the release of the hormone noradrenaline, an appetite-suppressant.

Green tea weight loss supplement can boost the body’s metabolic rates, thereby increasing the rate by which fat and calories are burned. It can also stimulate the body into burning fats faster, leading to more fats being turned into energy. According to a study, people who take in green tea weight loss supplement lose about two-and-a-half pounds a month.

Green tea weight loss supplements come in standardized tablets or capsule forms. For best results, select a green tea weight loss supplement that contains 90 milligrams of EGCG and 50 milligrams of caffeine. It is usually taken 3 times a day before meals.

Although green tea weight loss supplement has no harmful side-effects, you should consult your doctor before taking it.

A lot of people eat foods that are generally deficient in the vitamins and minerals. Visit Nutritional Supplements Center to learn why it is vital that you take nutritional health supplements. You will also discover best nutritional supplements.

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2007-12-19T19:50:00.000-08:00

Chinese Green Tea Weight Loss Information
By Loren Bailey

Locating chinese green tea information can be a arduous task. Although the information highway provides a great deal of content regarding the subject, frequently it is overwhelming and too perplexing to figure out. This article is meant to prevent the aggravation of endlessly sifting through the mountain of pages returned by your web search and provide some closely related weight loss information you need concerning chinese green tea.

Many people look upon Chinese green tea as legendary. Chinese green tea has long been known to provide a variety of health benefits. Because of the many health dividends offered by greentea extract, there has been endless discourse over many, many years that will certainly continue for years to come.

The origin of the green tea drink reaches back to the year 2737 B.C. Legend has it that burning tea twigs blew into a cooking pot of boiling water. After tasting the chance brew, Emperor Shen Nung whom was deemed the Father of Chinese medicine, decided it was so tasty he recommended it to his people. And the rest is history. Over many years, the use and of green tea became popular throughout the Far East and in recent years world wide.

A common question is what separates green tea from other teas? Oddly enough, the Camellia sinensis plant produces black and oolong tea as well as green tea. Even with the same origin as black tea, the green tea herb produced by the Camellia sinensis provides more health benefits.

The answer to why are teas from the same plant so different lies in the method of production. Because black and oolong teas are oxidized during production, they both lose much of the health beneficial qualities. Green tea is steamed rather than oxidized.

As a side note, synonyms for oxidize are decompose and deteriorate. That in itself says alot about the method of processing black tea.

Therefore, retaining the health antioxidants is secured through the steaming process which is performed before it is dried. The difference in production seems simple enough. So, another question goes unanswered. If steaming would help retain more health value, why not change the method of production for the oolong and black teas?

Chinese green tea has long been used for its health benefits as well as its pleasing taste. As noted before, antioxidants are very health beneficial. In 2006, researchers at Yale University School of Medicine antioxidants from green tea are believed to help lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. The end result is possibly lowering the risk of heart disease.

Many studies have been completed recently on Chinese green tea for weight loss. One by the University of Geneva shows that green tea extract has a positive metabolic effect on the body. A higher metabolism means a greater potential for burning fat and losing weight. The study found that the combination of two substances found in green tea, caffeine and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), create a thermogenic effect. They contribute a possible four percent thermogenic increase in the body. Those findings have given much belief to the weight loss enhancement through chinese green tea.

These positive weight loss benefits along with the long valued health aspects of green tea extract have become so widely recognized that major cold drink manufacturers have taken to promoting new products by referencing EGCG as a main ingredient. Those products are commonly promoted as energy drinks as much as weight loss products.

Other studies have also shown links between green tea extract and weight loss. It has been said that as much as 70 calories a day can be burned by drinking Chinese green tea. Yet another reason for weight loss programs to include some form of green tea extract.

The popularity of Chinese green tea has spread world wide. It can now be commonly found as a cold drink. With its safe herbal attributes, another prominent use for green tea today is in weight loss products.

As routinely as chinese green tea is written about, it is possible to become conscious of a new perspective by reviewing informative and related weight loss articles online. Additional instructional guidance and suggestions can be found at this website. So, after reviewing this health article, take a moment to survey this websites article directory for numerous other quality Chinese green tea information for weight loss.

As editor and author for many health related websites, Loren writes to provide helpful tips and information like Chinese Green Tea Information for the website visitors of Green-Tea-Benefits.net.

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2007-12-19T19:46:00.000-08:00

Green Tea Extract Benefit - Weight Loss
By Patricia Hammond

For many centuries, green tea has been regarded as the drink of choice, not just for plain drinking, but also as herbal medicine, treatment for illnesses and for weight loss. Below are the different green tea extract benefit and the reasons why the beverage has enjoyed such reputation for over a long period time.

Several studies were done over the last few years to find out the component in green tea that makes it a powerful health drink. Researchers have discovered that the beneficial effects of green tea are attributed to the polyphenols, particularly the catechins, which make up 30 percent of the dry weight of green tea leaves.

Recent studies have shown that catechins are instrumental in one significant green tea extract benefit – weight loss promotion. Catechins in green tea extract affect metabolism in a number of ways: suppressing appetite, inhibiting intestinal lipases, decreasing fat absorption, increasing fat excretion, increasing uncoupling proteins, accelerating thermogenesis, and decreasing lipogenic enzymes. Due to its potential therapeutic advantages and its role in the promotion of weight loss, green tea extract has now become the subject of global studies.

Numerous studies suggest that one green tea extract benefit is its ability to increase metabolism and help burn fat more effectively. A study made a confirmation that when green tea and caffeine are combined, there is significant improvement in the efforts of a moderately obese individual who is trying to lose weight and maintain it. Several researchers believe that catechins are the main causes of the fat-burning effect of the herb.

According to one researcher, there are only a couple of ways to attain weight loss – reduce energy intake or increase energy expenditure. Apparently, the compounds found in green tea are capable of giving a boost to the body’s normal metabolism rate, thereby providing a green tea extract benefit, particularly the weight loss advantage.

Other studies also say that an important body process involving losing weight is enhanced with the help of green tea. Because of the caffeine in green tea and green tea itself, the process of thermogenesis, which is also referred to as increased caloric expenditure, is said to increase by 28 percent to 77 percent, depending on dose. Caffeine alone did not yield significant results. One study has shown that the thermogenic effect caused by green tea extract may be a result of an interaction between its high concentrations of catechin-polyphenols together with caffeine.

A study on bladder cancer cell lines also outlined one more green tea extract benefit, which involves the anti-cancer properties of green tea. The study revealed that green tea extract shows promise in beating cancer. For the first time, the study was able to determine that green tea indeed targets cancer cells and leaves the healthy, normal cells alone. It has been shown in the study that the green tea extract benefit of destroying cancer cells inhibited the growth of an independent blood supply, which cancers develop so they can grow and spread. In the study, it was observed that green tea extract breaks up a process that’s important in permitting bladder cancer to invade and spread to different parts of the body.

Patricia Hammond is a green tea enthusiast. Get her FREE 7-Day GREEN TEA eCourse here or visit her site at www.YourHealthCenter.info for more health tips on weight loss, sleeping disorders and others.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Hammond

2007-12-19T19:45:00.000-08:00

Green Tea Weight Loss Pill
By Danny Brown

People have continually been known to want to do and accomplish things immediately. The same can be said in diets and weight loss. Impatience often leads a dieter to resort to taking supplements or weight loss pills to endeavor to get rid of those fats faster. But current controversies on the use of diet and weight loss pills have made many people think twice about using them. Numerous weight loss pills are based on certain substances, like ephedra, that may be unsafe for the body. This is why researchers are trying to come up with other possible resources to make weight loss pills that are safer to use. A study conducted at the University of Geneva was recently published and it concerned itself with the weight loss benefits of green tea extract. It said that green tea has particular antioxidants in them like catechin polyphenols and flavonoids that help in increasing metabolic rates of the body. Publishing the study's results encouraged some pharmaceutical companies to include green tea extract into their weight loss pills.

Green Tea, the Plant

Green tea is the common name for the herb Carmellia sinensis. The green tea plant came from China originally where it was cultivated only for its many health and medicinal benefits. Now, green tea is known to have specific substances that can cure several diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and even ulcers. Because of its thermogenic properties, pharmaceutical companies are also using extracts of the green tea plant as one of the chief ingredients in weight loss pills.

Green Tea, the Weight Loss Pill

The premise of weight loss pills is based on losing weight in two ways: slow down fat intake or speed up it’s burning. Weight loss pills are known to do both these. Ingredients in weight loss pills such as Hoodia Gordonii can curb hunger and stop food cravings. Another key ingredient in weight loss pills is glucosamine that can slow down the effect of insulin, thus directly transforming sugar into energy instead of fat. Other ingredients of a standard weight loss pill include cocoa extract (a diuretic), citrus fiber, vanadium, and glucomannan, all of which have antihunger properties. Adding green tea extract into weight loss pills has become general practice between pharmaceutical companies. Like cocoa extract, green tea is also an effective natural diuretic. Green tea can help rid the body of extra water that contributes to bloat and puffiness of the body.

But apart from being a diuretic, green tea is also a chief contributor to fat burning. The catechin polyphenols found in green tea increases the metabolic rates of the body and cuts food intake. Green tea also contains the substance flavanoid that fights free radicals that might be dangerous for the body. Because of these properties, green tea therefore makes for an excellent and healthy ingredient of weight loss pills.

If you want to read more about green tea diet pills, Visit our site at http://www.GreenTeaDietSite.com

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2007-12-19T19:43:00.001-08:00

Green Tea Weight Loss Study
By Phillip England

The health benefits found in green tea can be largely attributed to the large amounts of flavonoids it contains. Flavonoids are chemical types found in plants that help them protect themselves from damage. Flavonoids are considered as antioxidants. Antioxidants help keep you healthy by fighting off free radicals. Free radicals contain oxygen molecules that are by-products of your body's digestive processes. Caused by pollution and other factors in your environment and left unchecked, free radicals damage your cells, leading eventually to disease. Green tea also contains catechins that are considered to be more powerful compared to vitamin C and vitamin E in protecting your body from oxidation damage.

A green tea weight loss study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition state that green tea extracts produce significant increases in spent energy—how metabolism is measured—as well as a dramatic effect on oxidations of fat. While some of these effects were initially thought to be caused by the caffeine found in green tea, researchers have discovered that green tea actually contains certain properties that extend beyond what was explained by caffeine. Same amounts of caffeine, as found in green tea, were administered alone. The administered caffeine failed to cause any changes in energy expenditures. This has led researchers to theorize that some form of interaction is happening with green tea's active ingredients that is the cause of the increase in fat oxidation and metabolism.

The researchers of the same green tea weight loss study said that the results of their study pose substantial implications for use in weight control. For a 24-hour period, an overall increase of 4% was attributed to extracts from green teas although it was also noted that the increase in expenditure happened during the day. This led the researchers to the conclusion that spent energy in a subject, with the 4% increase in overall energy expenditures, actually produced a 35% to 43% increase in thermogenesis during the day. Research subjects also didn't report side effects and differences with heart rates were barely noticeable. Because of this, green tea then is different from other prescription obesity drugs and other herbal products.

In another green tea weight loss study at the University of Geneva, researchers have come to the conclusion that green tea does have thermogenic properties and is capable of increasing fat oxidation. This particular green tea weight loss study feels that these results are caused by other substances apart from what caffeine had caused. This conclusion differs from other studies that discount other substances found in green tea and attribute benefits for weight loss solely to green tea's caffeine content.

Results of another green tea weight loss study on the extract AR25 (Exolise) done by D. Lairon and P. Chantre in Laboratories Arkipharma in France show that the AR25 extract does help treat obesity. For the study, they made use of extracts from green tea (standard 25% catechins) in 80% ethanolic concentrate. Results of the green tea weight loss study reveal that green tea inhibits pancreatic and gastric lipases directly. Because these enzymes cause fat storage, delaying actions that they produce meant that green tea was a possible solution in treating obesity and weight loss problems.

Yet another green tea weight loss study, this time at the University of Chicago, prove green teas effects in weight reduction. Rats given extracts from green tea experienced loss of appetite and after seven days of treatment, consumed as much as 60% less of their food. The whole study caused the rats to lose as much as 21% off of their weight. The researchers also attribute it to green tea's regulating effects on blood sugar.

Studies have proven it – green tea can help you lose weight. Whether as tea or as a supplement, taking in green tea can help speed up your weight loss goals by complementing your fitness regimen. While green tea is all-natural and has not been known to cause any side effects, it is best to consult your doctor before taking it if you are suffering from any health condition or are currently taking in any prescription medication. This is to ensure that green tea does not cause further complications to your health.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret

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