A study shows that a cup of green tea a day could help keep your heart healthy. The drink was found to widen the artery which runs from the shoulder to the elbow by 4 per cent within 30 minutes – reducing the risk of blood clots. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation report said that it’s a good indicator of improved blood flow around the body . This is the first time green tea has been shown to have a short-term beneficial effect on the large arteries.
Dr Nikolaos Alexopoulos and colleagues at the 1st Cardiology Department, Athens Medical School, used ultrasound scanning to measure the performance of the brachial artery – which runs from the shoulder to the elbow, and is a good indicator of blood flow around the body.
A team of healthy volunteers were given green tea, caffeine or hot water to drink on three separate occasions. Measurements of the brachial artery were taken at three stages after they drank their beverage. The researchers found the artery expanded by four per cent 30 minutes after volunteers drank green tea. Caffeine or hot water had no effect. Dilation of the artery shows better functioning of the endothelium, the layer of cells lining blood arteries that stops clots forming. Continue reading →
Sometimes you’re really dread going to the gym. The thought of exercising makes you about as excited as you’ll go for a dentist appointment. If you’re doing it right, 
