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Matcha tea health benefits compared to coffee

Submitted by emily.griffin on

Most of us drink coffee in the morning and we all have our favorite places and orders. Matcha tea is a healthy alternative to coffee and is made from Japanese green tea leaves. Thanks to social media, matcha is becoming more and more common and, therefore, is widely available in most of your favorite coffee shops.  

Matcha is very similar to coffee because you can make so many drinks with it. For example, vanilla matcha lattes are popular, along with matcha fruit smoothies. Adding extra healthy ingredients to matcha helps mask the bitter taste and makes it full of extra vitamins and nutrients. How will you benefit from drinking matcha? Are the benefits better in matcha than in coffee? Let us help you pick your new favorite drink.  

 

The benefits of matcha 

The National Library of Medicine conducted a study on matcha tea and the benefits of drinking it. The benefits include:  

  • Decreased stress and anxiety 

  • Improved memory and long and short-term cognitive functions  

  • Enhanced spatial learning (More aware of your surroundings) 

  • Reduces inflammation in your stomach 

  • Reduces viability, and mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cells  

  •  

Shared benefits of both  

The BlueCross BlueShield has researched and found that both beverages share a lot of important health benefits, such as:  

  • Weight loss 

  • Cancer-fighting antioxidants  

  • Compounds that reduce heart disease risk factors  

  • Improved liver health  

  • Enhance mood and brain function 

 

Who knew that caffeinated drinks could be so healthy? Both drinks have great short- and long-term benefits. If you are feeling adventurous, try matcha the next time you go to your favorite coffee shop.  

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Matcha tea health benefits compared to coffee

How will you benefit from drinking matcha? Are the benefits better in matcha than in coffee? Let us help you pick your new favorite drink.  

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Spice things up with these salt alternatives:

Submitted by emily.griffin on

We all know we should eat a little less salt, but nonetheless, we love it in everything. From French fries to pizza, we need to taste the savory flavor. If we have too much of it, like anything else, it could lead to health problems. These include high blood pressure, high sodium levels and chronic kidney disease. The alternative options below are recommended by the British Heart Foundation to prevent all the negative health effects that consuming too much salt can cause.  

Take our quiz below to see if you can determine the healthiest option.  

 

We want to take preventive action now, so we do not have to worry about the future. These simple alternatives can help you control your diet and prevent future health problems.   

Spice things up with these salt alternatives:

(Quiz) Take our quiz to see which salt alternatives can help you control your diet and prevent future health problems.  

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What do you do when a product is recalled?

Submitted by emily.griffin on

We’ve all seen product recalls on the news or on our social media feeds. Sometimes it’s a food that is at risk for contamination or a product that is defective. A lot of the time, these recalls don’t apply to anything we have in our homes. So, what do you do when something you’ve consumed or purchased is recalled? And what happens if it affects your health? Read on to find out more.   
 

What is a product recall?  

According to the Food and Drug Administration, a recall is a method of removing or correcting products that are in violation of laws administered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of consumer products are also legally required to report products that pose a health or safety risk to the Consumer Product Safety Commission so a recall can be issued.  
 

How do I know if a product I have has been recalled?  

For a regularly updated list of products that have been recalled, visit the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission at cpsc.gov/Recalls. You can also visit FoodSafety.gov specifically for food-related recalls.  
 

What do I do if a product I have has been recalled?  

If you realize a recall involves something you’ve purchased, your next steps will depend on the kind of item it is. If you’ve purchased an item like a children’s toy, an exercise bike or a power tool, check the recall issue for further instructions. If it’s a food recall, don’t eat or open the product, says FoodSafety.gov. Then, check the recall notice to see what you need to do. If you have questions or concerns about the effect of a product you’ve eaten, talk to your primary care physician.  

 

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Sign up for our digital newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

What do you do when a product is recalled?

What do you do when something you’ve consumed or purchased is recalled? And what happens if it affects your health? Read on to find out more.   
 

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DASH to lower blood pressure

Submitted by emily.griffin on

Doctors often suggest patients start following the DASH diet, which isn’t a diet at all. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life.  

 

It’s not just for hypertension (high blood pressure). The DASH plan improves the lipid panel, helps people lose weight and reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  

 

The plan emphasizes vegetables, fruits and whole grains and includes fish, poultry, beans, nuts and healthy oils. It limits foods high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats and full-fat dairy products, and tropical oils such as coconut, palm kernel and palm oils. 

 

The science behind the DASH plan  

The DASH diet has been the subject of several studies funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). One study tested the diet’s health benefits by comparing it with the typical American diet.  

 

Another study, The Premier Clinical Trial, followed three groups that participated in a different program to lower blood pressure, lose weight and improve health. After six months, the participants whose study included the DASH diet had the greatest reductions in blood pressure. 

 

Not sold yet? Take it for a test drive 

Here’s a sample of one day of DASH meals.  

 

Breakfast 

  • 1 cup mixed fruit such as melon and grapes 

  • 1/2 whole-wheat bagel 

  • 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter 

  • 1 cup skim milk 

  • Coffee, tea or water 

  •  

Lunch 

  • Spinach salad: 

    • 3 cups fresh spinach leaves 

    • 1 sliced pear 

    • 1/2 cup canned mandarin oranges 

    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil 

    • 1 ounce of goat cheese 

    • 3 ounces of cooked chicken 

  • 1 small whole-wheat roll 

  • Water 

 

Dinner 

  • Vegetarian pasta: 

    • 1/2 cup marinara sauce 

    • 1 cup chopped summer squash 

    • 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach 

    • 1 1/2 cup whole-wheat pasta 

  • 1 cup melon 

  • 1 cup skim milk 

 

Snack (anytime) 

  • 1/4 cup trail mix, unsalted 

 

Here’s a tip to make adopting the DASH diet easier:  

The Internet is a fantastic resource for DASH information. You’ll find meal plan ideas like those above, links to sites where you can have personalized DASH meal plans created for you (some for a fee), study information and cookbooks galore.  

 

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Sign up for our digital newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

DASH to lower blood pressure

DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life.  

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Do superfoods lead to super health?

Submitted by emily.griffin on

Mostly everyone has heard the phrase superfood. Do we really know what superfoods are and if they live up to the hype? Take our short quiz to find out. 

 

If you are considering changing your diet drastically, you should talk to your doctor first. Superfoods are a great source of nutrients. However, everyone’s needs are different.  

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Do superfoods lead to super health?

(Quiz) Mostly everyone has heard the phrase superfood. Do we really know what superfoods are and if they live up to the hype? Take our short quiz to find out. 

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Healthy eating and older adults

Submitted by emily.griffin on

Good nutrition is important for older adults to help stay strong and reduce the risk of disease. But as you get older, it can be harder to eat in healthy ways. If you have health problems or can’t be active, you may not feel as hungry as you used to. You may not plan and make meals as often. 

 

Here are common problems older adults have with healthy eating, along with some ideas for how to solve them. 

 

If you have a health problem that makes it hard to chew: 

Try this:  

  • Choose canned or cooked fruit and vegetables, which tend to be softer than fresh ones. 

  • Chop or shred meat, poultry and fish. Try adding sauce or gravy to the meat to help keep it moist. 

  • Choose other protein foods that are naturally soft, such as peanut butter, cooked dried beans and eggs. 

 

If you have trouble shopping for yourself: 

Try this: 

  • Find a grocery store that offers online ordering or home delivery service. 

  • Ask a family member or neighbor to help you. 

  • Contact a volunteer center and ask for help. 

  • Pay someone to help you. 

 

If you have trouble preparing meals: 

Try this: 

  • Use easy cooking methods, such as a microwave oven to cook TV dinners, other frozen foods and prepared foods. 

  • Take part in group meal programs offered through senior citizen programs. 

  • Check for community programs that deliver meals to your home, such as Meals on Wheels. 

  • Ask a friend or family member to help you. 

 

If you don't feel very hungry: 

Try this:  

  • Try eating smaller amounts of food more often. For example, try having four or five small meals a day instead of one or two large meals. 

  • Eat with family and friends or take part in group meal programs offered in your community. Eating with others provides social interaction and may help your appetite. 

  • Ask your doctor if your medicines could be causing appetite or taste problems. If so, ask about changing medicines. Or ask your doctor about medicines that may improve your appetite. 

  • Increase the flavor of food by adding spices and herbs. 

  • If you think you are depressed, ask your doctor for help. Depression can make you less hungry and can make it hard to do everyday activities like grocery shopping and preparing meals. 

 

If you are worried about the cost of food: 

Try this: 

  • Find out if there are programs in your community that offer free or low-cost meals. 

  • Find out if you can get food assistance benefits. Contact the National Council on Aging to find out what food benefit programs are available in your area. 

  • Look into the U.S. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. 

  • Buy low-cost nutritious foods, like dried beans, rice and pasta. Or buy foods that contain these items, like split pea soup or canned beans. 

  • Use coupons for discounts on foods. 

  • Buy foods on sale and store-brand foods, which often cost less. 

  • Buy shelf-stable foods in bulk or in large quantities. 

 

Source: Healthwise, Inc. 

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Healthy Eating and Older Adults

Here are common problems older adults have with healthy eating, along with some ideas for how to solve them. 

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The sweet pain of inflammation

Submitted by emily.griffin on

Is too much of a good thing bad? Philosophers have pondered this question for centuries. In the case of inflammation, it is absolutely true. Inflammation is how your body fights infection. However, sometimes your body continues to create inflammation without anything to combat. This can become chronic inflammation, and that can cause pain, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, depression and more – all bad things.  

The good news is there are steps you can take to reduce your odds of chronic inflammation. According to multiple studies, including a review of the effects of dietary sugar from 2018, eating less sugar can decrease your chance of developing chronic inflammation.  

When you digest sugar, your blood glucose spikes, and your body produces insulin, leading to the creation of inflammatory hormones. If you are consuming too much sugar, your body can create too many inflammatory hormones, and that can lead to chronic inflammation.

However, sugar is not the only thing to avoid. It is generally acknowledged certain types of food can lead to inflammation. Try to avoid refined carbohydrates that include white bread and bakery items, fried foods, soda, red meat and margarine.

The sweetest news is not only can you avoid certain foods to reduce your chances of developing chronic inflammation, you can also eat your way to good health. A Mediterranean diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and healthy oils is widely accepted to decrease inflammation.  

For more tips on dealing with inflammation, talk to your family doctor.

 

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Sign up for our digital newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

The sweet pain of inflammation

The good news is there are steps you can take to reduce your odds of chronic inflammation. 

 

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(Quiz) Is dark chocolate nature’s miracle dessert?

Submitted by emily.griffin on

You have probably heard a rumor that dark chocolate is good for you. You might have even tried it and become bitter because it probably tasted bitter.  

 

The truth is the rumor about dark chocolate having health benefits is more than a rumor. Take our quick quiz to learn more.  

 

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Is dark chocolate nature’s miracle dessert?

The truth is the rumor about dark chocolate having health benefits is more than a rumor. Take our quick quiz to learn more.  

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Don’t Let Snacks Bite into Your Wellness Goals

Submitted by emily.griffin on

Almost all of us do it. Usually, every day. In front of the TV, on a road trip, at your desk. Snacking may seem like a little bite here and a nibble there, but it often ends up being a big part of your wellness success or failure. Don’t get hangry. We have gathered tips to help you control the munchies.

The most important thing you can do for successful snacking is to plan. When your stomach starts grumbling, and you head to the vending machine for an afternoon break, nearly all your options will be packed with sugar, ultimately leading to an energy crash and extra pounds on your body.

Bring healthy options from home, like unsalted nuts, low-sugar peanut butter, fruit or whole-grain products. Just be sure to read the labels to make sure sugar hasn’t been packed into each bite. In addition to bringing food from home, make sure not to overpack. According to the experts at Harvard Health, snacks should typically total 150 to 250 calories and not interfere with your hunger during meals. This calorie total can vary on your age, gender, fitness level and fitness goals.

Another key tip is to determine why you are snacking. Are you hungry? Bored? Stressed? Or social snacking. Office birthdays with cake and chips have doomed more than one diet. You should only snack when you are hungry. If you discover you eat for other reasons, find strategies to avoid the unnecessary calories.

Snacking is an important part of a complete wellness plan. Just make sure you are not supersizing it and are making the right choices.

For help developing a personal plan appropriate for you, contact your family doctor.

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Don’t Let Snacks Bite into Your Wellness Goals

Almost all of us do it. Usually, every day. In front of the TV, on a road trip, at your desk. Snacking may seem like a little bite here and a nibble there, but it often ends up being a big part of your wellness success or failure. Don’t get hangry. We have gathered tips to help you control the munchies.

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Which Comes First, Egg Quality or Safety? 

Submitted by emily.griffin on

A National Resources Defense Council survey, found that 90% of Americans toss out food prematurely. Much of this waste can be attributed to a confusing food dating system that is not federally regulated. 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) states on its website that, except for infant formula, product dating is not required. The expiration date is simply the manufacturer's suggestion of when their product is at its best quality. 

Still, the sell-by date of eggs is one of the most hotly debated food safety myths and facts. Are the dates listed on the carton a food quality or safety guideline? Let’s follow the process from the farm to the store.  

 

Pack date 

The three-digit code printed on the end of each egg carton indicates when the eggs were washed, graded and packaged. That code is known as the Julian date. A 001 code means it was packed on January 1. A 365 code was packed on December 31. So, a carton with a packaging date of 032 means the eggs were packed on February 1. If you look for the carton with the highest Julian date, the eggs are packed the closest to the date you're buying them and are therefore the freshest.  

 

Best-by, sell-by, expiration or use-by date 

There will always be a best-by, sell-by, expiration or use-by date on the end of an egg carton. Again, it’s not a federal requirement, except for egg producers displaying the USDA logo. Regulations vary by state.

That date is written out in an easily recognizable format. 

 

Sell-by or expiration date 

The sell-by or expiration date is mainly for the store, letting them know when to pull the carton from the shelf if it has not sold. The expiration date on cartons with the USDA logo can be up to 30 days past the pack date.  

You should only purchase a carton of eggs before the sell-by or expiration date, however, eggs can still be used for several weeks. 

 

Best-by or use-by date 

Conversely, a best-by or use-by date is primarily for the consumer's use. According to the USDA, the best-by date indicates when a food product will have the best flavor or quality. For eggs, this will generally be around five weeks after the Julian date but must be less than 45 days from when the eggs were packed.  

If you throw eggs out as soon as their expiration date arrives, you may be wasting money. Check the carton codes, store them in their original carton in the back of a refrigerator set at 40° F and you’ll protect your wallet, too.  

 

There are many myths about eggs. Read updated research on eggs and cholesterol here.

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Which Comes First, Egg Quality or Safety?

The sell-by date of eggs is one of the most hotly debated food safety myths and facts. Are the dates listed on the carton a food quality or safety guideline? Let’s follow the process from the farm to the store.  

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