Is Tea Harmful? Nobody knows exactly,where or when,the first cup of tea wa brewed.According to folklore,Emperor "Shen Nung" who reigned over China in 2732 BC discovered the stimulating effect of tea accidently when wild tea leaves fell into his pot of boiling drinking water.Chinese have probably been drinking tea in some form or the other since the fourth century AD and considering that wild tea grew in many parts of Assam,it is not unknowingly that tea drinking in India too is as old as in China.The raw material for tea manufacture normally consists of two young leaves and an unopened leaf bud-the famous "two leaves and a bud" formula, but,plucking of longer shoots containing 3 or even 4 leaves is not uncommon.The freshly harvested tea shoots can be processed into the various kinds of tea,namely,black tea, green tea,oolong tea and instant tea.In the manufacture of black tea(the usual tea that we drink),the material undergoes "fermentation" while in the production of green tea,delicate and subtle in flavour,fermentation is purposely omitted.Oolong tea leaves get an intermediate treatment,considered to be "semi-fermented".Instant tea,like instant coffee,is a dehydrated product containing only the soluble constituents of tea. There is hardly any drink that is not a food too,in terms of calories it provides-tea is no exception.A cup of tea, containing 2 tbsp of milk and a tsp of sugar,yields about 40 calories.Milk contains casein,which makes the tannin in the tea insoluble,thus removing some of its astringency(acidic effect).Apart from the milk and sugar generally added,the tea infusion contains marginal quantities of vitamins and minerals,but no significant quantities of extractable proteins,carbohydrates or fats. Tea is fairly rich in most of the B group vitamins.Apart from these,it is also a good source of vitamin E and K and Beta-carotene(changes into vitamin A in our body).Tea contains traces of minerals like Copper,Flouride and Managanese too.Flouride helps in avoiding cavities in the teeth. The accumulating scientific data on tea and its constituents - the vitamins,caffeine and tannin- and on its antibacterial activity provides a new picture of this popular beverage.Over the past few decades,the list of physiological disorders for which tea is contra-indicated has been steadily decreasing.On the other hand,caffeine is sometimes prescribed therapeutically for the treatment of hypertensive headaches and tea is a legitimate means of supplying this medication.Tannin destroys bacteria and virus, thereby inhibiting the growth of dental plaque.But at the same time,tannin inhibits the absorption of iron,calcium and zinc from the food,when tea is consumed along with food.
| Minerals Your Body Needs
Minerals are inorganic substances like sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine,iron, cobalt and copper.They are classified into two categories:minor and major, based on the intake level.If more than 100mg of a mineral is required per day,the mineral is classified as a major mineral.Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, potassium,sodium, chlorine,magnesium and sulphur.Minor or trace minerals include boron,chromium,cobalt,flourine,iodine,iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium,silicon,vanadium and zinc. Plants incorporate minerals from the soil into their own tissues.For this reason fruits,vegetables,grains, legumes,nuts and seeds are often excellent sources of minerals.Minerals are vital for good health.Like vitamins they are essential for regulating and building the cells which make up the body.Body cells recieve the essential food elements through the bloodstream.They,must, therefore,be properly nourished with an adequate supply of all the essential minerals for the efficient functioning of the body.Minerals help to maintain the volume of water necessary for the life processes in the body.
Total Mineral Content Required In The Body:
| Major Minerals
| Weight(gms)
| Trace Minerals
| Weight(gms)
| Calcium
| 1150
| Iron
| 2.4
| Phosphorus
| 600
| Manganese
| 0.18
| Potassium
| 210
| Copper
| 0.09
| Sulphur
| 150
| Iodide
| 0.024
| Sodium
| 90
|
|
| Chloride
| 90
|
|
| Magnesium
| 30
|
| The Importance Of Sprouts What to sprout? Generally,all edible grains,seeds and legumes can be sprouted.Usually,the following are used. Grains: Wheat,maize,ragi,bajra and barley. Seeds: Alfalfa,radish,fenugreek,carrot,coriander, pumpkin,muskmelon and water-cress. Legumes:Green gram,Bengal gram,moth,groundnut,peas and soya bean. The following sprouts need special mention for their extraordinary qualities: Alfalfa: King of all sprouts.Rich source of minerals and vitamins A,B,C,E and K and amino acids.Sesame,vitamins E, B-complex, calcium and other live nutrients. Groundnut: Very rich sources of proteins.It contains more protein than meat, about 2 1/2 times more than eggs and far more than any other vegetable food,except soyabean and yeast.It is best to eat ground nut after it has been soaked overnight. Soyabean: It is the most complete protein food.It is a great source of lecithin,which is known to disperse deposits of fatty materials in certain vital organs. How to sprout? The process of sprouting is very easy.Good variety of seeds should be used.Seeds are washed and rinsed so that any toxic chemicals used on the seeds are removed.The seeds or legumes are then soaked in a container of clear water.The container should be covered in a manner,which allows enough air to enter it,and placed in a slightly warm place.After 8-12 hours,the water should be drained off.It should be ensured that the container is big enough to allow space for the sprouts to grow.The seeds should be washed 2-3 times a day,and each time the water should be drained off completely.The sprouts should bnot be left soaked in water,or else they will start rotting. The seeds should sprout at least half an inch before being consumed raw.Generally,sprouting process can take 2-3 days,depending on the seeds temperature and humidity.For example,green gram takes a short time,whereas alfalfa takes a long time to sprout.Water,air,heat and light controls the process of sprouting.For maximum nutritive value,sprouts are best eaten raw.Sprouts can be safely stored in a refrigerator for several days in an airtight container. Upon Sprouting
| Energy Content decreases by 5%
| Total carbohydrate content decreases by 10%
| Protein availability increases by 30%
| Calcium content increases by 35%
| Potassium content increases by 80%
| Sodium content increases by 700%
| Iron-content increases by 40%
| Phosphorous content increases by 55%
| Vitamin-A content increases by 300%
| Thiamine(Vit B1) increases by 200%
| Riboflavin(Vit B2) increases by 500%
| Niacin(Vit B3) increases by 250%
| Ascorbic Acid(Vit C) increases infinitely
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