Six Serious Life Lessons from Yoga and Tea

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Tea Talk 21Yoga and tea are ancient spiritual disciplines and therapies that work on creating harmony between mind, body and spirit. In the aaaah!… good stretch of the muscles and steeping of the tea leaves in hot water, lies an entire philosophy that is inspiring the world to change the way we live and think.

The principles of yoga are parallel with the art of tea. They both are addictive practices that alter the very way we feel, think, understand and experience life – a life beyond the good and the evil. I believe my tea journey wouldn’t have reached this present if my fifteen years with Ashtanga yoga, hadn’t morphed the confluence of my asanas into something more personal.

Yoga has so much to give us beyond its science of asanas. In the subtle moments of deep self-connection and introspection, it’s transformative powers inspire us to embrace change and grow to new heights. In case you are on a path to achieve modern day enlightenment and are in search of living a more deliberate life, here are six lessons that have helped me trust in the practice and in the answers that arise from it.

1. Alignment – One of the best lessons you can learn from yoga is to master the art of staying calm and not give a F. Yoga emphasises the most on the importance of correct body alignment, to hold an asana and do it correctly. This is a prerequisite for all the good energies to generate and flow, and bring us to a meditative state that we are seeking. Yoga teaches us how to live in harmony with life’s asymmetries, by subconsciously making us understand the significance of our health and well-being.

2. Courage – Off the mat, yoga teaches us our capacity to build strength and withstand life’s obstacles. Asanas are not exercises. They are very subtle methods of manipulating our energy in a certain direction. If practised correctly and mindfully, yoga can break down all the negative thinking patterns, psychological, emotional and physical barriers that inhibit us from thriving and feeling bulletproof.

3. Consciousness – The longest journey is the journey inward. Yoga helps to develop a connection with our soul, and it makes us experience the spiritual energy that is a pathway for higher awakening, consciousness, intuition and healing. Yoga and tea are forms of meditation and they make us realise, that mindfulness does not have to be complicated. Just ending a yoga session by lying down still and deep breathing in Savasana, followed by a cup of tea, simplifies the whole concept of “mindfulness”.

4. Feel less pain – Letting go and moving on is the hardest asana. In yoga, we are taught to “let go” when we are sitting calmly, deep breathing on the mat and even when we are trying to nail a headstand effortlessly. Releasing all the tension and breathing through the noise of it all, is the smoothest take-off. Yoga, just like tea, shows us that we have the power to silence the chaos within. Both the practices help us comprehend the true reality – that just as pain compounds with time, so do positive thoughts.

5. Evolve – Once you get into yoga and tea, you are a student for life. The science of asanas and the history of different kinds and styles, make our bodies limitless. Awakening our senses and opening our minds to receive information is the mantra that creates the “zest” factor in our lives. Yoga teaches us how to open to the world and stay receptive to all its possibilities and opportunities.

6. Self-love  – Yoga makes us sensitive and helps us listen to our body’s messages and emotions. It forms the connection that we are looking for. Right from what we should and shouldn’t eat, how we must deal with toxicity, to serious decisions about what we want and do not want in life – the practice of yoga creates a sacred foundation within ourselves, where there is more acceptance, freedom, love, peace, joy and light. It’s a total upgrade!

Inspired to read more about the uplifting effects of yoga and tea? Here are 5 reasons why Rangsaa is your best post-yoga drink.

Illustration credit: Erika Lourenco

5 Reasons Why You Should Add Rangsaa to Your Fitness Regime

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Fitness lifestyleIf you’ve wandered along your supermarket’s tea aisle over the past 5 years, you would have noticed a massive multiplication in the breadth and depth of choice in ‘herbal’ options, with mostly mundane and uninspiring flavor innovations.

We at Rangsaa are huge fans of powerful herbs, but were fed up of the weak, dusty flavours that ended up in ‘herbal’ infusions replete with chemicals and artificial substances. We realised there existed a gap in the market for innovative, 100% natural teas that also tasted delicious, loaded with the true power of herbs. A fitness and wellness movement, Rangsaa operates in a unique space. Our work revolves around an overarching aim to discover delicious yet effective ways to harness nature’s power in our teas.

The concept of healthy, nutritious tea is fast changing to go beyond green tea bags. Surprising as it may be, tea is becoming the latest fitness power drink around the world. Fitness blends are now a global trend among fitness enthusiasts, sportsmen, athletes and people into target training. However, the trend is yet to catch up in India.

When you work out, an adequate intake of fluids is essential. A healthy body results from 80% diet and just 20% workout, so being conscious of not just what you eat but also what you drink becomes crucial to your fitness journey. Imagine if your fluids came packed with strengthening and rejuvenating herbs. Rangsaa offers just that, bringing the fitness movement to the health conscious.

Here are 5 reasons why Rangsaa blends are a great addition to a fitness enthusiast’s arsenal:

1. Unadulterated delicious power – Rangsaa blends are the best alternative to chemically loaded and sugary energy drinks. Made with nature’s most powerful botanicals, Rangsaa is packed with vitamins and nutrients that improve stamina, boost vitality and reduce muscle stress. 100% pure and natural, our blends help you experience the power of nature with pure deliciousness.

2. Powerhouse of herbs – Our blends are formulated with superfood herbs like moringa, ginseng, seabuckthorn leaves, gotu kola, cramp bark, Indian gooseberry and other speciality target-focused herbs that help you energise and improve stamina.

3. Naturally sweetened with Stevia – Rangsaa blends are naturally sweet and delicious with no added sugar. Stevia helps fight diabetes, thus making for a great option for diabetic patients looking for a sweet treat.

4. Multi-versatile – Not just a hot cup of tea, Rangsaa blends can be transformed into fitness drinks, smoothies, healthy cocktails etc. Our recipes take tea beyond the usual cup. Perfect for people who love experimenting, our blends are easy to incorporate in your fitness journey. If you want power on-the-go, you can use our fitness tumbler to assist you.

5. No-caffeine option – If you want to stay away from caffeine but still want an energy-booster, our blends are here for you. Our tisanes, which are pure herbal infusions, are caffeine-free and boost stamina naturally. They also offer multiple so you can sip power all day.

When you drink a cup of Rangsaa, you sip in the essence of nature and experience a medley of nutritious, colourful, tasty and aromatic molecules that protect against stress and exhaustion. Whether you hit it hard at the gym, run a 10k to train for a marathon, swing kettlebells at home, sweat it out on the yoga mat or do laps in the pool, Rangsaa is your one-stop fitness drink. Our blends help you energise before your workout, keep you going during your session and help you recover and restore post workout.

At Rangsaa we go back to the basics, turn to nature and bring you tea blends and tisanes that help you energise, elevate and feel amazing even after a thoroughly exhausting session. Whatever be your fitness goals, say goodbye to sugary drinks and switch to a cleaner lifestyle with Rangsaa. Gift yourself a healthier, fitter and better you and experience tea like never before.

Teatox – How To Drink Tea For A Healthier You

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teatoxify-1While detoxing may be the new health trend, traditional detox diets propound the use of a liquid-based diet alone. However, liquid diets are not only grossly inept at sustaining our bodies throughout the day, they are also just vaguely successful at the actual detoxifying. Thus, they fail to adequately address the need to purify the system on a daily basis.

We give you a simple and adaptable solution. Kick start your way to a healthier lifestyle with tea detox, or as it’s popularly known, Teatox. Teatox works on the principle of adding a few cups of tea blends and herbal infusions to your existing diet. Detoxing with tea is emerging as a more effective form of detox since it doesn’t involve making any changes to your daily diet.

So, how do you start your teatox plan? Detoxing your body with tea consists of drinking 4-6 cups of tea every day. From morning cup of tea on awakening to a cuppa before the bed, drinking tea all day is a lifestyle change that is easily adaptable. We suggest you six time periods in a day for an ideal tea break – morning tea, breakfast tea, noon tea, post-lunch tea, evening tea and post-dinner tea. Nutritionists say that drinking tea can boost your detox system if you choose the right variety of tea. If you happen to be a tea lover, include more cups of herbal blends throughout the day. If you have the caffeine sensitivity, you can include tisanes/pure herbal infusions in your diet.

Tea’s health benefits are documented to be wide-ranging; from lowering the risk of heart disease to increasing mental performance, tea comes equipped with fighting diseases and promoting a healthier body. However, tea alone isn’t enough for a detox but is made effective by drawing on the power of herbal infusions and blends to serve the purpose. High quality teas are excellent at supporting the natural detoxification process of the body. Even basic green and black teas are so rich in antioxidants that they are adept at supporting the cleansing process of the body. Antioxidants are known to reduce oxidative stress in the body, thus helping prevent inflammation and other chronic diseases.

Going green is good not just with your vegetables but also with your tea — the greener the better. So try to pick tea brands that are natural and as clean as tea should be. Believe in teatox. Follow this routine for 7, 14, or 28 days at a time and see the benefits that are presented to you.

Remember that, like any other detox, it’s vital you change up your food plans too. To reap the true benefits of your teatox diet, stay away from processed and fried foods and make more space for raw food, whole grains, veggies, fruits and lean protein in your diet. If your diet is gentle on your body and clean, detox teas will enhance your natural purification function and lead to a healthier you.

8 Lifestyle Changes to Detox Your Body

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detox-lifestyle2-1Even the most careful and health-conscious of us are guilty of putting unhealthy items in our bodies in our daily lives. A cleansing of the body or as it is called, detoxification, helps us combat the problem by getting rid of all the toxins we subject our bodies to.

Detox refers to cleansing the body with organic, whole and fresh foods by abstaining from toxic or unhealthy substances. While it may not be possible to practice abstinence in our daily lives, some simple steps can be effective to the end. So instead of taking to occasional, short-lived measures, adopt these small changes in your daily life:

1. Increase fiber intake – The kidney and liver are crucial for the filtration of the toxins in the body and thus promote overall cleansing. Include plenty of fiber in your daily diet such as organically produced fresh vegetables and fruits to aid them in their function. Radishes, artichokes, broccoli, cabbage, parsley, grapefruit, beets etc. are all high on fiber and make for excellent detox foods. Avoid unhealthy items such as processed foods, caffeine, alcohol and refined sugars.

2. Increase Vitamin C intake: Vitamin C is especially helpful for detox since it induces the production of glutathione, which is a compound that flushes toxins out. Include fruits and vegetables high on Vitamin C such as bell-pepper, lemon, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, papaya etc. in your daily diet.

3. Drink herbal tea blends – Herbal infusions are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are high on health benefits. They offer an excellent alternative to black and green tea, not just in terms of flavor but also owing to their natural detoxifying and energy boosting properties. A tea detox consists of two parts: one being the morning ritual where you take teas to refresh and the second being the evening where you take tea to cleanse the colon. Look for ingredients such as ginseng, gotu kola, ginger, peppermint, licorice, spearmint, lemongrass and  cinnamon in your tea.

4. Do yoga – Yoga is one of the best detox techniques as it cleanses your body, mind and spirit when practiced daily. Choose from the hundreds of yoga asanas to strengthen and detox your body.

5. Hydrotherapy – Hydrotherapy consists of a wide range of methods. One simple yet effective way to do it daily is to alternate between hot and cold water during a shower. Exercise hydrotherapy by taking a hot shower for five minutes daily, allowing the water to run on your skin. Follow the same with cold water for about 3 seconds. Repeat this thrice and hit the bed for the next 30 minutes. While hot water relaxes blood vessels and dilates them, cold water stimulates them. This alternating between the two is useful in decreasing inflammation, removing toxins from tissues and naturally, stimulating blood circulation.

6. Exfoliate – Remove toxins present in your skin and induce greater circulation through daily oil massages and skin brushing. You can also dry-brush your skin or go for foot scrubs and baths to remove toxins from the pores. Before taking a shower, dry brush your full body. This will stimulate greater blood circulation and will augment the process of toxin elimination through the skin.

7. Sweat it out – Hit the local gym or sweat it out in the sauna to help your body eliminate waste through increased body temperature and perspiration. Sweating rids your body of a lot of toxins and is a great daily detox tool.

8. Drink lots of water –Water is a catalyst to all the above mentioned detox techniques. So stay hydrated all day and have adequate amounts of water to flush toxins out of your body.

10 Ways To Make Tea More Enjoyable

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tea-talk-6Tea lovers are constantly on the lookout for new flavors and novel tea experiences. Luckily for them, different styles of tea don’t always have to be about different kinds of tea. A little tweak here, a little tweak there and you can have an entirely new brand of tea! Try these simple tips to give your daily tea experience a delightful twist:

1. Ginger – Ginger is best known for its aromatic, pungent flavor and is widely used to compliment Indian dishes. Adding ginger to your cup of tea gives it a spicy flavor profile and makes for an effective way to fight common colds and an upset stomach. Add a dash of honey and you have just the perfect cup ready!

2. Lemon – Most tea drinkers swear by lemon. Add a slice of lemon or mix some lemon juice to give your tea a slightly sweet yet acidic taste that tingles your taste buds. Being rich in Vitamin C and low on calories, lemon also makes your cup healthier.

3. Fresh Mint Leaves – Add fresh mint leaves to either hot or iced tea for an invigorating, aromatic drink that relaxes you. Remember to crush mint leaves to ensure the release of essential oils in your tea. Mint works best with green and black teas and is also an excellent cure for indigestion.

4. Tulsi – Tulsi infused tea is known to be the simplest and the best cure against common cold. Adding basil to your tea makes for a soothing and rejuvenating drink that is high on health benefits.

5. Fresh Fruits – Add different fruits every day of the week and treat yourself to new fresh fruit infusions. You can go for apples, kiwi, strawberries, oranges, melons etc. to add to your simple cup of tea and enjoy a fruity brew.

6. Spices – Spices greatly complement tea to give rise to exciting flavor profiles. Some commonly used spices in tea are cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves etc. Cinnamon is routinely used to enhance the flavor of tea, giving it a warm wafting aroma. It is also known to fight diabetes and boost immunity. Nutmeg, though similar to cinnamon in aroma and taste, gives the tea a warmer flavor. It pairs especially well with black tea and again, comes with loads of health benefits. Clove is another favorite with tea lovers and has lots of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.

7. Honey – One of the oldest tricks in the book to sweeten your tea, honey is delicious and pairs very well with different teas, and is very healthy for your body. Use honey in your daily cup of tea. You can consider raw honey or organic honey as they are healthier and better options.

8. Lemon/Orange Peel – Lemon and orange peels are not just a great addition to desserts but also work really well with tea. The peels are fragrant and can be used to give tea a nice zesty, citrusy smell and a fresh flavor. They work well with almost all types of tea, from black, green to herbal infusions. All you need to do is peel s0me and add to your brew.

9. Nuts – Nuts can give your tea a rich creamy flavor and can be used with all varieties of tea. Crushed almonds and walnuts work especially well with somkey teas.

10. Alcohol – Calm your nerves after a long day and unwind with alcohol infused tea. You can take your pick from vodka, gin, whiskey, rum as you’ll find different teas work with specific types of alcohol because of their flavor profile. All you need to do is add one shot of your favorite drink to hot/cold tea and get your own curated drink.

Tea is versatile and you can really step up your game by making it with some imagination. Try different flavors, experiment, explore and have fun. Invite your friends over, make interesting tea based drinks, surprise them and pass on the love. It’s all about discovering the world of tea, together. It’s the modern tea movement!

5 Reasons Why Rangsaa is Your Best Post-Yoga Drink

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Tea Talk 4.pngRight after a yoga class, your mind is in a relaxed state, your body is invigorated and you are at peace. You feel rejuvenated and in touch with yourself as the last hour has only been about you. Tea is much like yoga in a cup. It relaxes the mind, calms nerves and leaves you feeling refreshed.

So no wonder the two go together really well. A widely known fact, yoga practitioners have been combining tea and yoga for quite some time. The synergies arising out of the individual benefits of yoga and tea make them perfect companions.

Rangsaa’s premium tea blends and tisanes bring the meditative aspect to a fresh cup of tea. A state where you are physically relaxed and mentally alert. All of a sudden in between sips you will find it unforced and unknowingly- Serendipi-Tea. Here’s why Rangsaa is your best post-yoga drink:

1. Keeps you healthy – Everyone who takes up yoga is certain to benefit from improved stamina, flexibility, breath control and reduced stress on a daily level. As for tea, Rangsaa Reborn is a rich source of antioxidants and is helpful in boosting metabolism, reducing inflammation and strengthening overall immunity. When yoga and Reborn work in tandem, the health benefits complement each other. For instance, yoga is known to improve circulation. This improved circulation further improves the distribution of the antioxidants you get from our power herb – Indian ginseng. The blend of green tea, Indian ginseng, gotu kola, cramp bark and other exotic herbs improves blood circulation, relaxes muscles and relieves stress through the mind-awakening and sensory experience it offers.

2. Leaves you energetic – A yoga session makes you feel rejuvenated, stretching your muscles out and putting your mind at peace. Much the same, the “tree of life” powerhouse moringa present in our Rangsaa Maximus promotes good cardiovascular health, boosts energy, improves mental alertness, while head-clearing tulsi, licoroce root along with other healing ingredients improve resistance to stress and heighten energy levels, while keeping you in yoga state of mind.

3. Smooth transition – Yoga is obviously a tool for meditation and relaxation above anything else and a smooth transition back to normal life is important after a yoga session. Rangsaa Levitate helps you do just that. The unique myriad of flavors and aroma through blend of pure vitamins and nutrients, uplifts senses, provides physical and mental balance while the slow release of energy eases your entry into the daily grind, giving you ample time to reflect and prolong the meditative state of mind yoga puts you in. The very act of drinking Levitate gives the transitory effect of easing out of mediation.

4. Has a calming effect – Yoga helps alleviate stress and so does Rangsaa Insignia. A hot cup of aromatic tea after yoga calms you further after a yoga session, mirroring the heat released by the body during the workout, making the process of easing into the day a smooth one. Having Insignia after yoga has a soothing effect on you as it relaxes your mind and makes you feel healthier.

5. Flushes toxins out: Yoga is a toxin-releasing exercise and is best followed with consuming a liquid that works towards the cause. Drinking Rangsaa Unwind after yoga is complementary to your yoga regime as it helps flush the toxins and harmful acids out from the body. The unique blend of Indian gooseberry with exotic herbs and spices, makes for the perfect delicious detox and follow-up to yoga.

If you are doing yoga in the morning, then follow your session with Elevate, Reborn or Maximus, since they have stimulating properties apart from their obvious health benefits. If it is the evening you choose for your sessions, go for Insignia, Unwind or Levitate as they have a calming effect. So the next time you finish your yoga session, don’t forget to make yourself a cup of Rangsaa to go with all the hard work you have put in!

7 Power Tips to Boost Your Energy Levels

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wellnessWho doesn’t want to have a limitless store of energy to accomplish their daily tasks, even after a busy, long day? Especially given the hectic schedules modern life subjects us to, most of us strive to maintain adequate levels of energy to achieve all that we set out for ourselves. Here are 7 ways you can naturally boost your energy levels and make space for your favourite activities everyday:

1. Get Moving – Exercise is one of the most effective ways to keep yourself fit and positive throughout the day. Even a 15 minute jog early in the morning is bound to keep your energy levels up all day. Join a gym, go for morning runs, practise a personal exercise regime – the options are plenty. Choose a workout plan that works the best for you and stick to it to keep feeling positive and motivated all day.

2. Drink Lots of Water – The importance of drinking water frequently cannot be stressed enough. Not only does it keep you healthy and hydrated, water also flushes toxins out and thus gives a feel-good vibe as it improves bodily functions. If you forget to drink enough water during the day, always keep a bottle of water close and take small sips at regular intervals.

3. Get More Sleep – If you often find yourself lethargic through the day, you may be short on suffering from a lack of adequate sleep. At least 6-8 hours of sleep everyday is necessary to work at optimal levels. You can also take short afternoon naps (15-20 minutes) to restart your system.

4. Tap into Plant Power – One of the best natural sources of defeating fatigue are adaptogenic herbs, plants that are widely used for their medicinal and healing properties. They are known to reduce anxiety, stress and fatigue. An excellent way of building natural energy without resorting to artificial stimulators is Ginseng or Ashwagandha and Gotu Kola or Brahmi. These herbs boost both mental and physical energy, increase your threshold for taking stress, boost metabolism and enhance immunity in the body.

5. Switch to Tea – Most of us in 9 to 5 jobs fall into the habit of intaking large quantities of caffeine or energy drinks to keep ourselves going. This is an unhealthy habit and can be substituted with tea instead. Tea is natural, has a lot of health benefits and is the best substitute for artificial drinks and sodas that only harm the body in the long run.

6. Eat Clean – If you want your body to perform optimally throughout the day, you have to fuel it right. Include as much organic and raw produce in your daily diet as you can and cut out processed and junk food. Say goodbye to artificial foods, salty and sugary foods and embrace veggies, fruits, nuts and healthy meats. You’ll be amazed to see how energetic you feel by paying special attention to what you eat.

7. Relax – Above all, don’t forget to take a deep breath! Take time out during different parts of the day to just relax and free your mind of all troubles. Stress-induced feelings and emotions eat into a lot of your energy and must be carefully pushed away. During times of chaos, taking a deep breath becomes paramount and is an ideal approach to bringing your energy levels bank to normal when they are lagging. So take 5 minutes off when you feel fatigue, take deep, long breaths and you’ll experience an instant surge in your energy levels as oxygen travels to your brain. It is a quick yet effective way to give yourself a wake-up call in the middle of a busy day!

Find Your Daily Zen With A Simple Tea Meditation

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tea-talk-3-1Today’s world is an ever-demanding place where we are constantly expected to be on-the-go, with little time for ourselves. Are we relaxed in our daily lives, with our minds calm and clear? The very fact that modern lifestyles drive us crazy with their deadlines, tight schedules and endless expectations draw several people to find that one quiet moment in the day.

Tea meditation helps you do just that. Meditation may be hailed as the ultimate path to mental peace and calm, but most of us find the first step towards achieving that great ideal a task in itself. The biggest challenge we face while trying to meditate is keeping our thoughts from running amok while we stay put physically.

On my quest to tackle the issue effectively, I figured out just the right way to ease myself into the exercise – tea meditation. The very process of preparing, brewing, followed by drinking tea in a calm setting is the most potent form of meditation, to me. Just the act of taking the time out to brew the perfect cup of tea helps me cancel out both external and internal noise and practise mindfulness, tuning into the present moment and focusing on what is important, here and now. Tea helps me slow down, pause, breathe and get in sync with the natural, uninterrupted rhythm of life.

The subtle aromas of different leaves, the simplicity and purity of natural flavours help us connect with nature. The entire process – starting from boiling water to brewing tea leaves, ending with sipping the flavorful infusion – gives us a much needed hiatus, a break in the endless action that our lives are. Compared with the tiny amount of time we get while waiting for the train or making a dash for a quick morning coffee, this is a time we can be certain of diving into and enjoying.

Tea is a delightful romance between water and tea leaves; tea leaves distend in water, releasing wafting aromas, colors and flavours nurtured by nature, giving you the very essence of nature in a cup of tea. The act of drinking tea is soothing, simple and a mind-awakening experience that is nothing short of a thrilling sensory experience. The entire process of experiencing and observing tea release its natural charm is meditative. Naturally, the use of proper and beautiful teaware assumes importance, contributing to and enhancing the overall tea experience.

Tea meditation is a great path to introspection and inner reflection. It helps us realise the intrinsic beauty of life and the grand amalgamation of experiences it offers us each moment. Along comes the realization that the present is the most important moment, worthy of all our attention and one of the best ways to heighten our awareness is the simple act of drinking tea with mindfulness.

You can practise your tea meditation during any given time of the day, be it the morning, afternoon or evening, depending on the freedom your work schedule allows you. A simple tea ritual, when practised daily, ensures peace of mind, a harmonious attitude towards life, self-realization and ultimately the freedom to experience life on your own terms.

The greater your appreciation and sensitivity towards the wonders of tea, the shorter will be your path towards a calmer, happier and zen you.

Why Runners and Athletes Should Drink Tea

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run lola run

When I talk about tea, you probably think about the desi milk-chai, with generous amount of milk and sugar. You don’t necessarily think about, say, runners and athletes. But that’s a misconception. You’ve definitely heard someone tell you that tea is good for you. But beyond that general statement, you perhaps don’t know that tea has number of performance enhancing benefits that make it especially ‘a must drink’ for all runners and athletes.

Science and real-time global case studies prove that drinking tea supports physical activity through its preventive functions. It aids in providing more energy for training, quicker recovery, and is an unmatched nutritional tool for better performance. Tea helps athletes with improved alertness, more strength and an extra surge of energy during long workouts. The very high dose of antioxidants help the body metabolise fats for fuel late in the workouts, for needed strength endurance.

A 2004 study found that tea improved endurance capacity. ”Tea markedly improved endurance capacity and stimulated lipid use.” And a 2006 study concluded that “the endurance-improving effects of tea were mediated, at least partly, by increased metabolic capacity and utilisation of fatty acid as a source of energy.” In simple language it basically means that tea was found to improve strength and endurance during aerobic activity, and that increased endurance was in part due to an increase in fat being burnt for energy.

Tea is fantastic and also a smarter choice than coffee, soda or energy drinks. It’s true that caffeine is a proven performance enhancer that increases endurance, improves alertness and makes running feel easier. Although tea provides only half as much caffeine as coffee or energy drinks, it makes you feel good at the right places without any side effects, such as acidity and bloating. The acid in coffee and energy drinks can be hard, leading to heartburn and upset stomach. So, if you look at it, tea is your all natural ‘power drink’ that offers a boost and can even make you healthier.

I believe tea is very personal. In my opinion, I would recommend that fitness enthusiasts should collect an assortment of teas – black, oolong, green, white and herbal blends, and see what they enjoy the most. Maybe it’s delicate green tea in the morning, oolong after a run, or a herbal blend without any caffeine to wind down after an evening run. And remember, quality counts in tea. So, make sure that you choose whole leaf, high quality, all natural, fresh and premium tea. For added flavour and health boost, try infusing your tea with fresh fruits, herbs and spices.

Get to know your tea, experiment and explore, develop your relationship and enjoy your fitness journey with tea. It is your all round performance drink. So, drink up and see how tea can step up your game!

Green Tea Blends – The Latest Fitness Power Drink

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Fitness Tea

Green tea has gained immense popularity because of it’s healthy properties in the recent years and is one of the most popular drinks of the new millennium. But sadly, just few of us actually drink it. So, I thought how about I reach out to my fitness driven readers and convince them about this green power drink aka ‘supersip’, that is taking the fitness industry by a storm.

There are many reasons why green tea has increasingly been given the green light and is the most recommended beverage by fitness and nutrition experts. Well, to start with, green tea provides you with a powerful boost of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. It boosts metabolism, increases fat oxidation, endurance during exercises and improves overall health.

Brandon Carter, the best selling author and fitness expert refers to green tea as the ‘magic green drink’ and advices all his clients to drink it before and during their workouts. He also gives credit to green tea for that extra boost of energy and endurance, which contributes towards more efficient workouts. Keith Cormican, internationally recognized fitness and wellbeing expert says that gym recoveries can be improved by clearance of the by-products from training and green tea can really help with the process. He has been encouraging everyone to consider adding green tea as a weapon to their arsenal of fitness techniques and healthy living choices.

Research from Colorado State University found that tea’s main antioxidant, EGCG, can improve your VO2 max – a measure of how efficiently your body uses oxygen. EGCG is also known to stimulate brown fat, which is even extracted and used as a weight loss supplement.

Green tea is a great fitness supplement that is all-natural and will give you a great energy boost. And if you pick a good tea blend, you can avail some more healthy benefits from your power drink. Hence, if you don’t like lot of chemicals and junk in your body and are looking out for a great pre-workout supplement – it’s definitely green tea.

So, is it as simple as brewing some tea bags to reap the above mentioned benefits? NOT REALLY. To get maximum health benefits, it’s most important to drink the right kind of tea. I would suggest a whole leaf, all-natural, high quality fresh tea. It’s also very crucial to choose a higher quality brand of green tea, because the lower quality tea can contain excessive levels of fluoride, which leads to many health problems.

Green tea is your all-natural miracle drink. Just pop some green tea/green tea blend and ice in your shaker bottle and drink it before, during and after your workout or have it hot – whichever way you prefer. Whether you drink it as a pre-workout or post-workout drink or simply as an energy drink substitute during your workouts, the pros have declared green tea as significant news for anyone who is fitness driven.

You’ve nothing to lose and yet everything to gain by making this powerful herb a part of your daily routine!