only minimally processed after harvesting.
Unlike black tea, where the leaves are
allowed to oxidize, green tea leaves are
simply steamed. Aside from the difference in
taste, this light touch means that green tea
keeps its antioxidant power, and more of its
polyphenolic strength.
The chief component in green tea
considered most responsible for its amazing
abilities is Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, better
known as “EGCG”.
EGCG reduces inflammation, protects
the body from oxidative stress, and slows
cancer progression by inhibiting an enzyme
that cancer cells need for tumor growth.
If you haven’t enjoyed tea as part
of your daily regimen, you may want to
consider it: recent research shows that green
tea reduces the risk of high blood pressure
by 50%, the risk of dying from stroke by
40-60%, and the risk of dying from heart
attack by 20 to 30%.
As for preventing cancer, a case-con-
trolled study in China surveyed three types
of cancer – pancreatic, colon, and rectal
cancer. The researchers saw a decreased risk
of each due to a common factor – higher
consumption of green tea. The results were
impressive. For women, the reduced risk
of pancreatic, colon, and rectal cancer was
47%, 43%, and 33% respectively. For men,
the percentages were slightly lower overall;
37%, 18%, and 28%.
5. CHOCOL ATE
The fact that I consider chocolate one
of the Top Ten Best foods may come as a
16 HimPower September 2018
happy surprise. The fact is that pure, dark
chocolate – without extra ingredients and
calories like caramel or marshmallow –
provides a wealth of benefits.
The flavonoid compounds in dark
chocolate are strong antioxidants and are
anti-inflammatory. They lower blood pres-
sure, improve blood flow to the brain and
heart, and help prevent the formation of
blood clots. According to recent research,
the polyphenols in dark chocolate prevent
oxidation of LDL cholesterol (which, along
with inflammation, is the real reason that
cholesterol is a health issue), and even
reduce stress in the brain when participants
are asked to solve complex problems.
Like tea, chocolate retains its healthiest
components when it is the least processed.
Look for chocolate that is at least 70% cacao.
It will have a distinctively different flavor
than the over-sweetened milk chocolate
variety that we all grew up with, but its rich
flavor means that smaller amounts of choco-
late will satisfy more, too.