Nutrition Facts And Benefits Of Green Tea To Know

People usually use tea due to a number of reasons. Some drink it as a refreshment beverage and others use it as it is some kind of routine in their lives. In both cases, though, the majority of people usually prefer black tea to green tea. 

The green tea, nonetheless, has stunning nutrition facts and numerous health benefits than its counterpart. Hence, our reason for having it as our main point of discussion today. 

Green Tea Nutrition Facts 

A significant portion of Asia, particularly China, India and Japan, have it as a common beverage in their everyday lives. The Chinese, nonetheless, were the earliest users before spreading it to the rest of the world. 

While not a lot of people realize it, both black and green coffee comes from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis. The difference between them comes during the preparation process, in which the leaves are steamed to prevent fermentation. 

Following are some of the key nutrition facts of green tea that you should know: 

1. How Many Calories Are In Green Tea 

Well, when we speak of the calories in green tea, there’s no fixed content level. The beverage is either low-calorie or calorie-free as it depends with the other ingredients added to improve the essence and taste. 

With the usual “bagged Green tea” that has a net weight of around 2 g, for instance, there are 0 calories since it contains only the tea leaves. Nonetheless, a bottled Snapple Green Tea (let’s say 17.5-0z) can have up to 130.75 calories due to the contained sweeteners. 

2. Is Green Tea Acidic? 

The acidic nature of green tea usually depends on the kind you are using and how you are using it. For a freshly brewed green tea that has no additional ingredients, for example, the PH value is 7 (neutral). Hence, very useful when you are in an alkaline diet as it will help in neutralizing the acidic levels in your body. 

Also, the alkalinity of green tea can help improve your digestion by making it smoother and healthier. Thus, very helpful after meals. 

3. Is Green Tea Caffeinated? 

Well, in most cases people consider green tea as naturally caffeine-free. In the real sense, though, the tea does have caffeine but in a relatively low amount (25-50 milligrams per 8-ounce cup). It’s hard to state the exact amount contained as it predominantly depends on factors, including the variety of tree plants and the growing condition. The caffeine in the best green tea is about ¼ the amount contained in coffee and ½ the amount in black tea. On top of the low caffeine levels, green tea has amino acid L-theanine that assist in counteracting the side effects of caffeine. 

4. Should I Have Green Tea Before Bed? 

This fact is a bit complicated to say yes or no due to the presence of caffeine and amino acid theanine. With the latter, the compound helps boost relaxation and restful sleep. The caffeine, on the other hand, is great in increasing alertness and keeping someone awake. 

To minimize the contradiction and ensure an optimal balance of the two, it is great you use your green tea about 2 hours before bed. After all, at this time your metabolism is at the lowest.

Gummy Chews for Better Sports Performance

When the rate of people suffering from health problems caused by a sedentary lifestyle went off the charts, it became alarming. For beings that are innately born with survival instincts, we can die from eating too much fast-food and being indolent. To think that deaths caused by physical inactivity can range around two million per year. When the numbers were clearly stated, people started to be more conscious and accountable for their health. 

Due to the fear of being buried six feet under, we began to switch to healthier alternatives. This is where different varieties of diet came into light. Workouts have also been all the rage lately. Even in the social media realm, you can't browse through without seeing at least one post that is related to fitness. The sudden gain of interest in physical fitness paved the way for exercising aids to be produced. One of which is the pre-workout. 

What Is A Pre-Workout? 

Pre-workouts are basically dietary supplements sold over the counter that are taken beforehand. The product is claimed to give you a boost in energy and augment endurance throughout your work out. By the looks of it, it is mostly taken by athletes, weightlifters, and muscle builders to enhance their performance. 

Although they can still be consumed by anyone that wants to have more focus in their routine, pre-workout comes in different shapes and forms such as powder shakes and capsules. 

The formulation differs from product to product depending on the manufacturer. But it's ingredients is generally composed of creatine, caffeine, and stimulants as seen here. Before purchasing, it would be ideal to check the ingredients first, especially since there are brands that contain harmful chemicals. Nevertheless, this product carries several benefits. 

Pre-workout has been introduced in the market for decades. Since then, it became a substantial market, continually growing in number. This line of business has been booming, considering that people are more health-conscious than ever. 

It is also a cut-throat industry. Because of the number of companies present in this field, it can get quite competitive among business owners. 

Therefore, coming from a different angle can be an edge. This is exactly what the brand Hilo did. Most of the pre-workouts come in a powder that is mixed with water and capsules. Brands like Hilo introduced it in the shape of gummies, and we all know how we love our sweets. 

The Pros Of Gummy Products Like Hilo 

Convenient 

We humans, most of the time, aren't on the same page. I think most of us can agree that we dread the word "exercise". When we suddenly shift our lifestyle, our body would take its time to adjust slowly. It means if you haven't been active for a time, it will take a few weeks for your system to adapt. That is why you shouldn't make it anymore grueling. 

When swallowing pills isn't your cup of tea, you would usually turn to protein shakes. But because of its powder formula, you would need to take the time to mix it with water. That can get time-consuming and a hassle. And honestly, most shakes even with fancy flavors can taste funky. Luckily, you don't have to compromise. 

The texture of this product made it unique. Gummies, as the name implies, has the consistency of that of a chewy treat. This made it easy to chew and swallow. Now, you don't have to bust out your blender to make a shake before you head out to the gym. You can easily bring this treat and chew it on your way. 

Effective 

You might think this product is less potent than a capsule or powder. Considering that it does come in a candy treat. This product is recognized for its effectiveness. 

The recommended consumption is eight gummies for the user to reap results. But previous customers have said that they have experienced a surge of energy without going ahead full-on eight. If you thought its effectiveness is an issue, you can go ahead and check out reviews. All in all, it is a great product to hype your performance. 

Vegan 

Last but not least, products like Hilo performance gummies are entirely vegan and natural. There haven't been sweeteners and artificial flavoring incorporated in making them. Also, for you animal lovers out there, no animal was harmed during the process of producing the product. 

For people who had trouble with traditional pre-workouts because of the taste, this is also doable. Users have said these energy gummy bears come in a delectable flavor. Get these great gummies and grow our sporty performance now!

Pre-Workout Reviews And What To Look For

It seems like every few months there is a new fitness trend that pops up. If it is not related to exercise, then it must be a modern revolutionary diet. Just like most gym memberships are sold on January 1st, most workout supplements get sold at the beginning of summer. 

People think that they can get their dream body a month before they go on vacation, and they start investing in working out. A few years ago, most people ate a spoon of honey or a banana before they started working out. Both of these foods have some sugar in them that make the following hour a bit easier. 

Now, a whole culture has evolved that worships pre-workouts. A pre-workout is a supplement in a powdered form, just like protein, creatine, or anything of the sort. However, is it really necessary for a good workout, and should you get on the hype train. 

Drinking It Gives You A Boost In Performance 

The wellness industry is booming right now. It's important to note that almost every brand has its own formula, and no two supplements are the same. They can be close and do the same things, but they almost always use different ingredients. It can be challenging determining what the top pre-workout drink is for your fitness goals. For the best preworkout drinks ranked, visit Sports Illustrated. 

Pre-workouts usually contain a combination of four ingredients: carbohydrates, caffeine, creatine, and nitric oxide. All of these have different properties, but they help your body achieve the same thing in the end. 

We're going to discuss carbs first. They are an obvious choice because that's what our bodies use as energy. When you're a long-distance runner or cyclist, you need to intake somewhere around 30 to 60 grams of carbs. That is for endurance events. 

For short bursts of energy, sprinters usually wash and rinse their mouths with a carb solution. That's because our bodies use glycogen and glucose for energy. If you raise the energy levels before you start working out, then your body will have a tougher time getting tired, and that will improve both your endurance and performance. 

On the other hand, caffeine is widely known to boost energy. Everyone drinks a cup of coffee in the morning to help them replenish their energy stores. You could read The Pre-Workout Review if you want to know more about how that happens. On a more subjective note, many people claim that the supplements that have caffeine are the tastiest. 

They also improve alertness as well as the feeling that you're not working as hard as you are. Many studies claim that drinking caffeine before lifting improves your muscles' ability to generate more power. Next on the list is creatine. This is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies. It's composed of three different amino acids, and it gets stored in our muscle fibers. 

When we need a burst of quick energy, these compounds serve as a great substitute. This supplement is the most versatile of all. If you ingest higher dosages, you will also gain more muscle mass. Creatine is the most researched supplement in the world at the moment. 

If you sum up all the research in that niche, creatine will take up more than fifty percent. It doesn't matter if you drink it before, after, or during a workout. You can also take it before you go to bed, or the moment you wake up. When your natural stores increase, you will look much better, and you will feel younger, stronger, leaner, and happier. 

Finally, on the list, we have nitric oxide. Beetroot juice is the thing that's mostly associated with this chemical compound. There isn't a ton of research on this subject, but nitric oxide improves energy levels, widens the blood vessels, and improves cardiovascular activity. 

Combine these three things, and you get the pre-workout of your dreams. Beets are healthy in any way, shape, or form. They are a great source of iron, and your blood test will be amazing if you incorporate them into your daily diet. 

One recent study proved that patients with heart failure problems improved their aerobic endurance by 24 percent just because they drank beetroot juice every day for a week. Now, there is still not a lot of credible research in this area, but all of the ones that are valid show positive and promising results. 

Can You Boost Your Energy Naturally? 

Many doctors are having trouble explaining to people that true health can't come from a tub. Of course, it's much easier to take a multivitamin pill, or drink a smoothie than slice and peel a dozen pieces of fruit. Everything can be achieved with the right diet. 

Before choosing to get a supplement, try a natural alternative. A great choice to start would be to eat around 15 grams of carbohydrates half an hour before you start working out. That can be a slice of bread with some jam or peanut butter on it. Another alternative is a small banana. 

If you are a person who loves coffee, try drinking an espresso thirty minutes before your session. That will definitely make you feel pumped. Combine that with some motivational music or a motivational video, and you will be set and ready to go as hard as you want. 

Are There Any Side Effects? 

If you take anything in excess, it won't be good for you. The supplement industry is not regulated by any governing body. This means that the FDA doesn't have to approve of a product before it reaches the shelves in a store. 

You should be especially careful when you order things online. There aren't a lot of side effects that can happen to you, but you should definitely watch your caffeine intake. If you drink a few coffees per day, adding another dose might be the final drop in the cup. That can cause headaches and digestion problems. 

As well as that, you need to be careful of products that contain more than a hundred percent of a given nutrient or vitamin. Too much of vitamin B and nitric oxide can dilate your blood vessels a bit too much. That can cause regular nosebleeds, so don't test your limits.

Is Coffee Actually Good for You?

As one of the most popular and commonly used beverages, coffee has had a large number of lovers and haters. The controversy around coffee usually revolves around its benefits and any hidden dangers. In this article we will discuss the many benefits of coffee, as well as some of its drawbacks. 

Benefits Of Coffee 

Research studies have found that drinking coffee can reduce the chances of: 

Diabetes 

According to research done by Harvard, the antioxidants found in caffeine can reduce inflammation and in turn reduce type 2 diabetes. Minerals found in coffee such as magnesium also helps with reduction. The study found that those who increased their coffee intake had a lower risk of having diabetes while stopping or reducing intake had the opposite effect. 

Heart Failure Or Stroke 

According to research results found last year, the American Heart Association drinking coffee can reduce the risk of heart attack by 7% or stroke by 8%. Although this research was done by a machine, its results were found to be valid. Multiple studies were conducted and all of them found the connection between coffee intake and these heart conditions. 

Some Cancers 

Although many researchers have dismissed possible connection between coffee intake and most types of cancer, the results have been different with liver cancer and endometrium cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer reviewed previous research done on association between cancer and coffee and found that drinking coffee only reduces risk of the two types of cancer above. 

Liver Disease 

Regular intake of coffee can eliminate chances of having liver disease. This is according to report by British Liver Trust and confirmed by the World Health Organization. Coffee also has the potential of slowing the progress of liver cancer. 

Memory Loss 

More coffee intake is now recommended especially to older people who are at a higher risk of memory loss. This is according to studies done by an Italian research center. The Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging found that coffee improve the capacity to retain memory in rodents. They therefore concluded that consumption of coffee can improve cognitive ability and reduce risk of dementia. 

Parkinson's Disease 

Although Parkinson's disease is mostly sporadic, chances of occurrence can be reduced by drinking more coffee. A study done on the topic found that those who didn't drink coffee regularly were more likely to have the disease. The main ingredient found in coffee which is caffeine was found to be the main agent responsible for this effect. 

Depression 

From a report done in China, coffee lowers the level of depression and the chances of being depressed considerably. While another research found that coffee can make the situation worsens for those struggling with depression, many others have come out to contradict those findings. Tea was found to be less effective showing that more caffeine such as that found in coffee was better. 

Drawbacks Of Coffee 

Despite its many benefits listed above, too much coffee can have unpleasant side-effects, or in some circumstances be dangerous. This is why researchers recommend moderate consumption. Some of the negative side-effects of too much coffee include: 

Lack Of Sleep 

Coffee can make it harder to fall asleep as well as reduce the total sleeping duration due to caffeine content. 

Upset Stomach 

Coffee has a laxative effect that can be helpful in improving how the digestive system works. However, when taken in too high a quantity, the effects can be detrimental to the stomach. 

Racing Heart 

Caffeine has been known to be a good stimulant. This can cause increased heartbeat that can be dangerous especially when combined with other energy drinks. 

Addiction 

Drinking coffee can lead to dependence on it thereby causing addiction. Moreover, it has been found to have the same effect other addictive drugs like cocaine have on the brain. 

Coffee Conclusion 

When all said and done, it’s clear that coffee is a healthy beverage to have in your diet, as long as you don’t abuse it. Its health benefits are also at their maximum when consumed without other ingredients such as cream or flavored sugary syrups offered by a lot of high-street coffee outlets. It is better to drink fresh black coffee in order to experience the full benefits with no unhealthy additives. 

Also, when compared to making coffee at home, buying from coffee outlets is usually a lot more expensive so it can be unhealthy on the wallet too if you are a regular coffee drinker. The most cost-effective way to get your daily recommended dose of coffee and maximize its health benefits is to buy a coffee machine. This guide can help you find the perfect coffee machine for your kitchen, so you can have fresh coffee on demand whenever you need when at home, without it costing as much as your daily good bill. Personal brewing is the ideal option as it guarantees freshness, cheaper coffee and maximum convenience.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post about whether coffee and caffeine are actually good for you and healthy to consume as part of your daily diet.

Interested in more articles about coffee and caffeine? 

Read Related Resources:

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Free Frugal Fitness Finds Below

Review Of 4C Energy Rush Packets

4C Energy Rush is the most frugal way to enjoy energy drinks or even caffeine in general. Energy drinks are typically a very expensive habit, comparable to paying for premium coffees, except for 4C Energy Rush with Taurine powder. Buying regular energy drinks could cost you a fortune over time, while these energy packets are available at a steep discount. 

This is especially true now that 4C released brand new Energy Rush ELECTROLYTE boxes of 40 packets for only $9.95, at least on Amazon. The new Grape and Lemonade flavors are a delight, and this new product has more caffeine but no taurine or glucuronolactone, which can be great for users not wanting as many stimulant ingredients. 

BOOST YOUR HEALTH AND WEALTH RIGHT HERE

Let me first say that no I am not sponsored or paid by 4C to review, but I admit that I wish I was! Honestly I should be after a decade and a half of buying their product religiously and referring others to it that are overspending on caffeinated products. 4C Energy Rush is the most underrated and under the radar energy drink option on the market today. I love this product so much it isn't even funny. I have bought these caffeinated packets for 16 years now ever since I realized that each packet had the same exact ingredients (including Caffeine, Taurine, and B-Vitamins) as two 8 oz Sugar Free Red Bull... but at about 25 cents a packet instead of $2.50 or much more for canned / bottled drinks! 4C Energy Rush used to have 3 separate boxes with flavor choices of orange, citrus, or berry with 14 packets in each box (the new Strawberry flavor I loved seems be discontinued permanently now). Now 4C Energy Rush has variety packs with 18 packets in each box for the same price in 2023! 

These Supplements Could Help Your Health

Caffeine Content Of 4C Energy Rush Packets

The caffeine content of 4C energy rush is about 160 mg per packet (serving size is 1/2 packet or 80 mg of caffeine). This caffeine content is identical to Sugar Free Red Bull and on par with other popular energy drinks in 2023.

What Is The 4C Energy Rush Price And Value?

Each packet of 4C Energy Rush Sugar Free mixes in about 16 ounces of water (more or less depending on your tastes, I use about 8 oz), tastes excellent, and gives you a big and convenient pick-me-up with 180 mg of caffeine content. If you like energy drinks (especially sugar-free ones) or you are a fellow caffeine-addict, you definitely need to check out this incredible bargain of a product. Stop paying $2-4+ dollars per can or bottle of mainstream energy drinks now when you can buy a box of 18 packets for a price of $2.99-5.99. I have actually gotten 4C Energy Rush packs a few times on sale for $1.99 on rare occasions, but that is much less common in 2023 due to inflation. 

The only thing cheaper than 4C Energy Rush packs are generic caffeine pills and some very cheap instant coffee bought in bulk (store brand or Maxwell House), but they do not come with the B-vitamins or other stimulant ingredients.

What Flavors Does 4C Energy Rush Come In? 

The 4C Energy Rush comes in 3 flavors now: Berry (available in its own box), Orange, and Citrus (Lemon Lime). These days they most commonly come in a variety pack box of 18 packets, with 6 of each flavor. 

The used to have an amazing Strawberry flavor that came in standalone boxes or in the variety pack, but now I can't find it anywhere and it appears to be discontinued. That was my favorite flavor and actually seemed more micronized than the other flavors, so it dissolved better.

4C Energy Rush Alternatives Are Inferior

Some other companies like Walmart and grocery chains have created their own cheap sugar-free energy drink packet versions in the past and some still do, but (after trying half a dozen of them) in terms of consistent price / quantity / quality, 4C Energy Rush is still the best value 9 times out of 10. Other caffeinated energy drink powder just doesn't do the trick or costs a fortune by comparison. 4 C Energy Rush even a great option for pre-workout energy, B-vitamins, and weight loss assistance since this 0 calorie powder with 180 mg caffeine can help to reduce appetite and boost workout motivation. 

Other Advantages Of 4C Energy Rush Packs 

Aside from the price and minimal sugar / calories, these energy drink powders can be added with as much or as little water as you'd like. This allows you to control the flavor and concentration, which is especially handy if you don't want to drink 8-20 oz of water like many energy drinks out there. You could even a packet or part of a packet to another drink, soda, or energy drink. 

The other advantage is small but potentially significant. Since 4C Energy Rush packets aren't sitting in plastic bottles or aluminum cans for months or years before you drink them, it could spare you possible BPA or aluminum toxin contamination. Add your 4C Energy Rush to a glass or BPA free bottle and enjoy! 

Is 4C Energy Rush Healthy? 

I am not hear to say that 4C Energy Rush powder is healthy by itself. It is very acidic, has artificial sweeteners like sucralose, and stimulant ingredients that could cause side effects in some people. Caffeine can also be very addictive and large amounts could be dangerous. 

What I can confidently say is that 4C Energy Rush packets are healthier than full sugar energy drinks or coffee with large amounts of cream and/or sugar. It is also an FDA approved food product like Sugar Free Red Bull so there is less risk compared to unregulated caffeinated supplements. It is a healthier alternative than many caffeine or stimulant alternatives while also being cheaper and more convenient.

Packs Could Contain Clumps

I would say that the only downside I have noticed is that some 4C flavors (except for Strawberry for some reason, it seems to be a more fine powder) can develop some clumps in the packet. It doesn't affect anything when you mix it in water, but I wanted to make sure this was included in my 4 C energy rush packet review and rating. But that goes for pretty much any caffeinated / pre-workout powder as well that is 10x more expensive. 

And overall just keep in mind that because 4C Energy Rush is a powder, it won't dissolve 100% like a canned or bottled energy drink. That is fine with me, but it might not be ideal for some energy drink connoisseurs. 

4C Energy Rush: Still The Best Bang For Your Buck

4C Energy Rush Packets are still my highest rated and reviewed energy drink powder mix yet because of its caffeinated potency and cheap price. It is a great option for affordable increased energy, weight loss, and B-vitamins. Enjoy the energy rush for pennies on the dollar! 4C energy rush packet is so affordable, it is on par with bulk instant coffee in terms of caffeine content, but has the added value of taurine, gluconurolactone, and B-vitamins.

4C Energy Rush Pro Tip: Add Emergen-C

If you want to add even more B-vitamins, Vitamin C, and electrolytes to your 4C caffeine rush drink, just add a packet or portion of a packet of Emergen-C powder. It's a great way to add extra cheap antioxidants to your 4C energy drink on a frugal budget. Feel the rush of the cheapest energy drink option on the market today! 

4C Energy Rush Can Be Hard To Find - Possibly On Purpose 

With 4C Energy Rush being such an amazing value, you would think it would be advertised often and featured prominently at stores of all types such as grocery stores, big box stores, and convenience stores. But you'll be lucky if you find 1-2 facings of this product (the variety pack and maybe the blue berry option) at grocery stores, rarely at big box stores, and never at c-stores. That's at least partially because 4C is a relatively small company compared to it's multi-billion dollar energy drink competitors like Monster, Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper / Snapple Group, and other heavy hitters that essentially control shelf space in stores. Those big beverage corporations don't want customers to know that they can get the equivalent of 18 energy drinks in 4C energy rush packets for the price of 2 of their overpriced energy drink cans or bottles. It's not even easy to find it for sale online, or at least not for good prices. 

If you think I'm exaggerating on this point, you've clearly never worked in the retail, grocery, or c-store space where these multi-billion dollar beverage companies reign supreme.

Avoid 4C Energy Rush With Alcohol As A Cheap "Red Bull And Vodka" Alternative 

Yes 4C Energy Rush has nearly identical ingredients to sugar free Red Bull energy drinks at a small fraction of the cost, but I wouldn't advise mixing it with alcohol like cheap vodka. The stimulant effect of caffeine, along with other stimulants like Taurine and gluconurolactone, directly go against the depressant alcohol, which isn't good for your brain or heart, although you will save a lot of money at least. Unfortunately I know from experience (myself and roommates) from my college days that mixing energy packets and hard alcohol doesn't end up well. It amounts to a lot of craziness and poor decisions in most cases, but is obviously no worse than Sugar Free Red Bull + Vodka since the ingredients are the same. 

I have personally seen people get into fights and do flips onto cement because they combined 4C Energy Rush and large amounts of alcohol and it wasn't pretty. That is a topic for a whole other blog post review! It will also damage your liver and put strain on your heart to do this.

4C Energy Rush Alternatives 

While 4C Energy Rush powder packets are top reviewed product by reviewers around the United States, there are a few decent comparable products I have found. True Lemon packets sold at grocery stores and on Amazon have caffeine from green tea, no calories, no sodium for a healthier option some may prefer. These energy drink replacement packets have no B-vitamins, taurine, or gluconurolactone but they do contain 100% Vitamin C. They are a bit more expensive though since they only come in boxes of 6 packets. 

The other 4C energy rush packet alternative is Mio Energy made by Kraft, which allows you to squirt as much or as little of the liquid water additive to your drink as you would like. It has less calories than 4C energy rush but less B-vitamins and stimulants. Sometimes the liquid form is beneficial on the go, other times not so much.

Both of these alternative products have store brand and generic knockoffs as well if you prefer cheaper prices or different flavors for your caffeine fix. 

4C Energy Rush Powder May Not Be Healthy For Everyone 

While I have used 4C Energy Rush Powder Packets to get my caffeine fix for 17 years, I have very recently had to restrict or eliminate its consumption. Due to respiratory and digestive issues like GERD giving me a chronic cough, I have had to reduce or eliminate high caffeine and acidic beverages along with stimulants Taurine and Gluconurolactone like those found in 4C packs. It might just be me but these energy rush drinks seem to trigger acid reflux and coughing fits more than other caffeinated drinks like coffee with milk added. What is clear is that the combination of caffeine, acidity, carbonation, artificial sweeteners, and stimulants is a recipe for stomach or digestive issues. 

4C Energy Rush, like any other energy drink, can also cause strain on your liver, kidneys, stomach, and GI tract. Too much caffeine at once can put a lot of strain on your heart so you shouldn't take it if you have any heart disease or potential condition.

It depends on the person whether this drink powder option is a healthier alternative for someone. Just be aware if you have a negative reaction to it or drink too much for too long, it could be the wrong choice for your caffeination and you may need to switch to weak coffee or tea. 

The ingredients in 4C Energy Rush could interfere with medical conditions or medications that may not occur with more common caffeine choices besides energy drinks. It has been hard to reduce and quit 4C energy drinks because they worked so well and provided a quick pick-me up, but everyone is different and has to make the decision for themselves. 

Regardless of your age and medical health, you should probably limit your 4C Energy Drink consumption per day and not drink it every day. It is good to give your adrenal glands, heart, liver, kidneys, and stomach a break at least once in awhile. But certainly contact your doctor, registered dietitian, nutritionist, and/or pharmacist for their expert opinions on 4C Energy rush powder usage.

4C Energy Rush Review Conclusion

4C Energy Rush Gets An A+ As An Affordable Energy Drink that can even help you lose weight and fight depression! Purchase cheap 4 C Energy Rush packets on a variety of websites or at your local grocery store for frugal energy. You can also consider other types of supplements like Balance of Nature to supplement your nutrition and increased energy levels. Cheers to your frugal energy!

9 Reasons To Love Tea Drinks

In so many of the world's top cities, drinking tea is a very common way of maintaining the body's hydration level. Tea is a generally accepted liquid that is consumed all over the world albeit its origin can be traced to East Asia. This universal beverage is prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves. Tea is the second most popular liquid in the world. Water holds down the number one spot as it is a universal solvent. 

There are different flavors, types, and brands of tea and each brand has its peculiar properties. Several billions of teacups are consumed annually in so many countries of the world, and this goes to show that there are so many medical and health benefits that can be derived from this liquid. In fact, tea can liberate you from any critical illness. 

9 Top Reasons To Love Tea 

1. Steam Facial 

Everybody wants a good skin, isn't it? Steaming of the face is an age long practice that is aimed at removing blackheads and dirt. Steaming your face with tea (mainly green tea) is a right way of keeping your face hydrated and detoxifying your pores. Black tea also does an excellent job of minimizing puffiness and clearing acne. 

2. Eye Soak 

Conjunctivitis and other eye problems are very uncomfortable and contagious. They have this watery, swollen and scratchy feeling. Black tea is a handy way of combating this problem. It contains caffeine for tackling undereye circles and the earlier the treatment begins, the better for the victim. Black tea bags help to reduce inflammation and soothe irritation. 

3. Hair Health

Internal and external use of tea can help improve your hair health. Green tea, white tea, black tea has all been tried and tested to produce excellent results on the human hair. Green tea helps to prevent the thinning of hair as well as encouraging hair growth. By massaging your scalp with freshly brewed tea, you are increasing your chances of hair growth because more blood will circulate to the scalp. Tea can also prevent the irritation and inflammation of the scalp as well as preventing hair follicles from clogging. Tea also contains polyphenols that help to keep the hair shiny. Sage tea works against the growth of grey hair. 

4. Freshens Breath

Green tea has antioxidizing properties that makes it useful for eliminating bad breath. It works by cleaning the mouth of every form of bacteria. Green tea completely inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay and strep throat. Black tea also contains polyphenols that reduces the odor produced by mouth bacteria. 

5. Aids Digestion 

Some type of tea acts as mild laxatives and for correction of digestive problems. For instance, dandelion tea can cure stomach upset and indigestion. Also chamomile tea is a proven solution for constipation, intestinal gas problems and other digestive problems. Peppermint tea is also good for bloating and nausea. However, before you include any type of green or herbal tea in your diet, you must talk to your doctor about it. 

6. Reduces Stress 

Certain types of tea are good for stress, insomnia and anxiety. Drinking tea is a potent ritual for relaxation because it contains an amino acid that reduces stress. The aroma and scent of tea is also a potent mood booster. Peppermint tea is also known to provide an overall calming effect. 

7. Calorie Free 

So many individuals are looking for ways to shed weight and burn fat. Due to this, they avoid certain type of food and drinks. Tea does not contain extra calories. In fact, some kind of tea such as kratom tea is good for weight loss. 

8. Hydrates Your Body

Just like water, tea can solve dehydration problems. There is a school of thought that drinking two to three cups of tea daily is as effective as drinking an equal volume of water. Apart from keeping the body hydrated, tea contains antioxidants which are useful for the body. However, this is not enough reason for you to replace tea with water, they can actually complement each other's effort. 

9. Reduces Appetite

Tea can help to reduce appetite. For instance, green tea is a potent appetite suppressant as it contains catechins which impedes the growth of fat cells and minimize how fat is stored. It can also control the level of sugar in the blood and this invariably leads to reduced hunger or food cravings. Caffeine also reduces appetite naturally while increasing your metabolism.

Regular tea consumption, especially green tea, can also work wonders for your immune system and recovery by eliminating free radicals. The health benefits of tea just keep coming and coming!

I hope you enjoyed this article about reasons why tea can make you healthier on a tight budget.

Interested in more articles about coffee and tea health benefits? 

Read My Posts:

- Green Tea Is A Frugal & Healthy Part Of Your Daily Diet

- Caffeine Is A Double-Edged Sword

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What To Know Before Taking Caffeine Pills

Have you ever woken up just not feeling it? Like you are low on energy, have zero motivation to do any of the tasks at hand and simply want to be lethargic all day long? Or, perhaps you even wake up with a headache? 

All these are signs that you likely need to get caffeine into your system as soon as possible! 

Caffeine is a reliable way to feel energized and enhance your functionality both mentally and physically. Many people get their caffeine through a daily cup of coffee. For them, they find it to be an enjoyable, meditative and relaxing time that leaves them feeling their absolute best. Plus, who does not love the aromas of a good cup of coffee for caffeination? 

But for a range of reasons, getting your caffeine through a cup of coffee may just simply not be possible. Whether your hotel room does not have a coffee machine or you simply do not like the taste of coffee, you could be faced with a dilemma of how to get your energy levels up quickly and efficiently while not jeopardizing your health. 

This is where caffeine pills come into play. Not only do these supplements give your body the instant dose of caffeine it is craving, but caffeine capsules can provide you with a ton of various benefits for the rest of the day too. 

Like all supplements, you should only consider taking these after chatting to your doctor or nutritionist. Caffeine affects everyone differently, so do your due diligence first. 

To help you decide if caffeine pills are for you, we have rounded up everything you should know and consider beforehand. 

1. Get The Caffeine Benefits With No Coffee Breath 

While many of us enjoy our daily cup of coffee, one of the side effects of this is that many of us are often then left with coffee breath. But with caffeine pills, you get all the benefits a cup of coffee provides but without the actual taste of coffee or the lingering coffee breath that may ensue. This is a great solution for those that know they need caffeine but don’t want to bother with a cup of coffee. It is an efficient way to get your caffeine dosage with no bad breath to worry about. 

2. Have More Energy For Longer 

Caffeine helps boost our energy levels. While some people need anywhere from two to five cups of coffee to sustain their energy throughout the day, one caffeine pill can give you the perfect dosage to feel that energy all day long. Why waste time drinking multiple cups of coffee and risking feeling sick and bloated when instead you can take one caffeine pill for the day and feel sustained energy for longer? 

The caffeine that is found in coffee is the same caffeine that is found in pills. It is just a more isolated version of caffeine that lets your body absorb more of it faster. It is no wonder that so many different types of people find their energy is best sustained when taking a caffeine pill—including elite athletes, corporate professionals and stay at home moms. 

3. Enjoy The Benefit Of Losing Weight 

While caffeine pills are not designed to help you lose weight as a primary benefit, it is a secondary benefit for sure. First, caffeine will give you enough energy to live an active lifestyle and lose more weight. Moving more throughout the day and doing various activities will naturally help you shed pounds. Then, the caffeine pills also help get the isolated caffeine directly into your bloodstream so the excess body fat can literally be deleted from your body. Finally, caffeine pills eliminate the need to rely on energy drinks. These drinks, while full of caffeine, are equally full of calories and sugar. So not needing to rely on those will equally help you keep off the excess and unwanted weight. Caffeine tablets are a much lower calorie and less acidic option.

4. Feel Better And More Recovered 

Caffeine has several key nutrients our body needs to feel better throughout the day. This includes antioxidants, which play an essential role in helping our body recover better and faster. For those who are physically active, the antioxidants from caffeine pills will help expedite the recovery process and even lessen the impact of sore muscles. While there is more research being done currently on this, it is an exciting factor to consider when taking caffeine pills yourself. 

5. Moderation Only 

As stated earlier, make sure to discuss the pros and cons of caffeine pills for you specifically with a medical professional first. You do not want to overdo it on the caffeine pills as it can end up disrupting your sleep and even your heartbeat. So figure out the best plan for how to incorporate caffeine pills into your life first before making it a part of your routine.

Ways To Deal With Fatigue

Many people could feel burned out after exercising, and physical fatigue could lead to mental tiredness. Even without any physical work, you could experience fatigue at middle age. Fortunately, experts in fatigue in Lawrenceville could help you come up with ways to boost your energy. 

Rule Out Health Issues 

Fatigue could come from different health problems like diabetes, heart disease, anemia, and sleep apnea. You could see a doctor if you are always tired, and they could take your concern as a sign of underlying conditions. They could help you diagnose these health problems and come up with a solution. Some medications that could be recommended might cause further fatigue, but the fatigue might go away once you get well. 

Exercise 

Although some people might get tired after being on the move, it might indicate that you are living an inactive life. You should get on the move as exercises help your blood circulate adequately, leading to the supply of nutrients to the muscles and excretion of wastes that could build in the muscles, leading to fatigue. Moreover, exercises improve vigor and overall life quality as it leads to the building of lean muscles. 

Do Yoga 

Yoga could help replenish your energy as it leads to clear-mindedness, energy, and confidence. Moreover, yoga leads to an increased sense of well-being and reduces fatigue by helping you attain flexibility. 

Drink Water 

Dehydration could reduce your energy levels leading to fatigue and impairment of physical performance. As an athlete, if you are dehydrated, you could fail to reach your goals, and you might not lift enough weight or complete your race. Dehydration, furthermore, could even affect people who are just doing chores, and it could decrease alertness and concentration. People who drink little water could have pale yellow urine. It is incredibly important to drink water to replenish the water needs and reduce fatigue. 

Get Enough Sleep 

Lack of sleep could make you feel tired, and a full night’s sleep could replenish your energy. Good sleep could promote alertness, performance, and learning. Sleeping allows all your body organs to rest, reducing fatigue, and boosting energy levels. 

Get A Healthy Diet 

A healthy diet might combat fatigue. It is prudent to eat food rich in carbs, proteins, and good fatty acids. Omega 3 & 6 found in fish boosts alertness, and fish oils have been proven to boost mental reaction and physical energy. 

Shed Some Weight 

Losing weight could be powerful for boosting your energy levels and reducing fatigue. Weight reduction could lead to improved mood, vigor, and a reduction in fatigue. You could cut down on food portions and eliminate unhealthy processed foods to aid in losing weight. Eat a well-adjusted diet and engage in physical activities to reduce weight. 

The Bottom Line On Fighting Fatigue

Fatigue is an everyday challenge that most people face. Fortunately, there are many practical ways of dealing with it. Some medical conditions could be the cause of your tiredness, and you might need to see a doctor for proper diagnosis. You could also exercise, eat a balanced diet, lose weight, and get a good night's sleep to combat fatigue.

How to Cure Adrenal Fatigue At Home

Did you know that stress can lead to adrenal fatigue? If you're constantly feeling worn down and your body can't keep up with everything that life throws at you, you may have adrenal fatigue. 

The good news is, adrenal fatigue is treatable. Although it isn't always recognized by doctors and other medical professionals, it certainly is real. Here's what you need to know about it and how to cure adrenal fatigue. 


What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Your adrenal glands are responsible for creating and maintaining cortisol. Without cortisol, the body can find it extremely difficult to deal with stress. However, if you're constantly dealing with chronic stress, your adrenal glands may begin to malfunction. 

The consistent need for cortisol due to heavy stress levels can lead to damaging your adrenal glands. Without properly working adrenal glands, it's likely you'll suffer from adrenal fatigue. One of the most difficult things about adrenal fatigue is diagnosing it. 


Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

The symptoms of adrenal fatigue can be very general. They're often symptoms you would associate with other illnesses or general day-to-day wear and tear. Some of these symptoms include:

• Tiredness and struggling to get up in the morning
• Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep
• Difficulty concentrating, especially during the afternoon
• Anxiety and/or depression
• Mood swings
• Autoimmune diseases
• Weight gain/loss
• Hair loss
• Lightheadedness

The Cause of Adrenal Fatigue

As mentioned above, adrenal fatigue happens after high levels of stress. However, it usually doesn't happen unless you're exposed to high levels of stress over a long period of time. 

You may be more susceptible to the effects of stress if you have a poor diet, poor sleeping habits or you rarely exercise. You may also experience adrenal fatigue if you've been working too hard or you've recently experienced emotional trauma. 

If you're unsure whether you have adrenal fatigue, it is possible to get a test. A functional doctor will be able to test your cortisol levels and give you an indication of whether they're low.


Treating Adrenal Fatigue

The best way to treat adrenal fatigue is to manage your stress levels. You can never totally avoid stress but you can learn techniques that will help you to manage it. Here are a few home DIY adrenal fatigue cures.


Dietary Changes

Making some simple dietary changes can have a dramatic effect on how your body and mind manage stress. For example, cutting out refined sugar, caffeine and alcohol can allow your body to function at its best.

Avoid snacking or energy drinks throughout the day when you feel you're losing energy. Instead, try switching to anti-oxidant-rich veggies with hummus. It may be less appealing but you'll certainly feel much better.

If you're unable to get the vitamins and nutrients you need from your diet, you could try taking supplements. Take a look at this product for rebuilding your adrenal glands.


Create a Sleep Routine

Sleep is extremely important when you're trying to lower your stress levels. The more sleep you have, the better equipped you are to handle stressful situations. It's easier to lose your patience when you're tired. 

You can create a peaceful sleep routine by getting used to doing certain things. For example, not looking at computer, tablet or phone screens for an hour before you sleep. Having a warm bath or burning lavender essential oil can also help you sleep well.


Cut Out Coffee

Cutting out coffee from your daily routine may seem a bit drastic but caffeine and cortisol don't mix well. If you drink caffeine occasionally, it could be even worse than drinking it daily. The same goes for tea and energy drinks, especially energy drinks due to potential additional stimulant content.

When you drink caffeine occasionally, it will spike your cortisol levels without your body becoming immune to the effects. When you drink it often, your body will become immune as far as cortisol is concerned but it will give you a temporary boost. It's likely you'll experience a low crash after every temporary boost.


Try Meditation

Life is so busy, it can be hard to concentrate on what really matters- your mental health. Stopping throughout the day to meditate is a great way to ensure your mental health stays well. Along with going a long way to giving you peace of mind, it can also help to normalize your cortisol levels. 

The great thing about meditation is that it can be done anywhere, at any time. If you're commuting to work via the train, sitting at your desk, or even on the sofa at home, you can take five minutes out of your day to meditate.


Take Time Off

You're entitled to vacation time for a reason. It can be tempting to stay at work when you're busy and you're determined to reach your goals. However, you need vacation time to re-energize and unwind. 

Taking time off can help you to re-evaluate your lifestyle and what's most important. The time you take to rest can de-stress your mind and your body, giving your adrenal glands a chance to stabilize and work properly.


How to Cure Adrenal Fatigue 101

If you're feeling low and you're wondering how to cure adrenal fatigue, it's quite simple. Be kind to yourself! With so many options available to us, sometimes it's easy to forget that we're not machines.

It's your responsibility to look after yourself and make changes when you're under a lot of stress. Health is wealth after all!

Don't let your stress pro-long enough that the result is adrenal fatigue. Take a look at some more great tips right here on our blog, for avoiding stress and keeping yourself as healthy as possible.

The Health Benefits Of Amino Acid L-Theanine In Tea

Tea: coffee’s coy competitor in the cutthroat—yet throat-soothing—world of hot beverages. Both provide daily stimulant boosts, both are great to share with a loved one, and both are steeped in rich and complex histories. But popular teas (like green tea, black tea, and even tea extract and tea constituents) have something coffee doesn’t—an amino acid celebrated for its cognitive performance and wider health benefits: L-theanine. If you have a cup of green tea or black tea in front of you, take a sip and settle in. 

Savor those tocopherols and flavonoids lending the cup its signature color and flavor. The tea leaves’ distinct bitterness is supplied by natural antioxidants known as catechins. But there’s another flavor you should be experiencing. A pleasant mouth-filling sensation that creates a rounded and savory taste. Umami, often called the fifth taste after bitter, sour, sweet, and salty. Tea’s umami flavor is all thanks to the non-protein amino acid, L-theanine. Table of Contents Brain Boost Stress and Anxiety Sleep Focus and Attention Memory Body Builder Immune System Cardiovascular System Supplementing with L-theanine Last Drops In this article, we won’t just stick to why tea is so tasty. 

We’ll talk about the positive effects L-theanine can have on your stress levels, cognitive performance, and cardiovascular and immune health. Brain Boost A healthy body starts with a healthy brain. L-theanine has proven itself to be a powerful supplement for brain health by assisting with stress, sleep, attention, and memory. Stress and Anxiety If you’ve ever brewed a cup of tea to decompress from a stressful day or share with an anxious friend, congratulations—you have fabulous instincts. 

Researchers have found L-theanine can reduce our physiological stress responses by altering the behavior of neurotransmitters in the brain. But this isn’t a slow, thirty-days-to-better-behavior modification process. L-theanine is tough, immediately jumping on defense. Taking L-theanine is like hiring a bodyguard for your brain. Our brains balance activity through excitatory (upper) and inhibitory (downer) neurotransmitters. You’ve probably heard of some of the major excitatory neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. 

But the balance can shift through an excess of these excitatory neurotransmitters and cause classic responses we’re familiar with: stress, anxiety, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system (also known as the fight-or-flight response). Taking L-theanine to mimic gamma-aminobutyric acid (a neurotransmitter that blocks impulses between nerve cells in the brain) can inhibit these excitatory responses and ease their physiological stress responses, allowing you to enjoy lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, attenuation of the fight-or-flight response, and reduced cortisol levels (major stress hormone). 

If the classic calming effect isn’t revealing enough, let’s pull back the covers on how deeply relaxing L-theanine can be. Sleep To catch some Zs, first we have to catch some waves. During sleep, it’s all about theta waves and delta waves. Theta waves occur in the first stages of sleep and generate two distinct rhythms of greater amplitude and lower frequency than our waking beta waves. Delta waves are the lowest frequency, highest amplitude waves generated during the deepest stages of sleep. But right before sleep, when you’re still in that day dreaming, more relaxed state, it’s all about the alpha waves. The brain generates alpha waves during deeply relaxing activities, such as meditation. 

If you struggle to feel peaceful during meditation or get your mind to achieve that quiet calm right before bed, L-theanine can help to take you there. Studies have shown that L-theanine can generate alpha brain waves in the parietal and occipital regions of the brain, leading to a prolonged calming effect. 

In a placebo-controlled study of young individuals with ADHD, L-theanine proved especially effective in helping them get to sleep and experience deep sleep. Sleep problems are often a concern for individuals with ADHD, and L-theanine proved to be a safe and effective therapy to improve sleep quality. Even if you don't have ADHD, you may benefit from taking L-theanine before bed. However, drinking the amino-acid rich green tea before bedtime may not be the best idea though. Caffeine is a sneaky stimulant. Luckily, you can get all the tranquility of L-theanine without the caffeine boost by taking Yawn, HVMN’s non-habit forming sleep aid. In addition to L-theanine, Yawn contains other REM cycle saviors like magnesium glycinate, amino acid L-glycine, and the classic melatonin for better sleep quality. 

Focus and Attention L-theanine has the power to both calm you down in the evenings and provide a boost in the morning. You know those days; poor sleep quality from the night before leaves you dull, each excruciating minute stretched out between sips of coffee. But all that coffee can have a negative build up, leading to a jittery, on edge feeling while desperately trying not to fidget during your conference room presentation. If you’re ready to sacrifice the coffee, but not the caffeine, HVMN has Sprint to get your day going. 

This nootropic stack features L-theanine, caffeine, and the added bonus of ginseng to reduce fatigue. Like the name, Sprint is made to get your mind moving quickly and keep it alert for up to six hours. It’ll provide you with that ideal mental flow to be focused, productive, and energetic without all the jitters. The same amino acid that ushers you into dreamland can also deliver an attentive state of mind. Multiple human studies show that consuming L-theanine can increase focus, reaction times, and visual processing while reducing mental fatigue. 

Essentially, subjects in these human studies performed attention tasks better after taking L-theanine. Their overall mental performance improved. Even when the mind is in a relaxed state and creating those alpha waves, it’s focused. Consider meditation: its goal is mindfulness, focusing on an inner calm. Meditating is a form of dialed-in concentration that also happens to be calming. Memory Maybe you’re a morning master, but you can’t remember the names of half your closest coworkers. Enter L-theanine, which can assist with memory. To be clear: drinking a single cup of green tea will not suddenly remind you of where you left your keys. However, consuming L-theanine over time could help protect the neurons in your brain from injury or death to mitigate cognitive impairment and contribute to the development of the hippocampus (which, sadly, is not the future academic grounds of the large semi-aquatic African mammal). But it is the part of your brain responsible for storing memories. 

Start young, and you could even stand a better chance against the oxidative damage and memory impairment of Alzheimer’s. Oh, and remember how we talked about L-theanine reducing cortisol levels? Cortisol can negatively impact memory retrieval. Reduce cortisol levels, and you may be able to retrieve those memories a little more easily. We’ve touched upon what L-theanine can do for the brain, but let’s not forget about its benefits for the body. Body Builder L-theanine couldn’t let your brain have all the fun. So freshen up your tea, and let’s talk about what your new amino acid can do for your body. 

Unfortunately, L-theanine is not the cure for the common cold or other pesky immune system ailments. But it has been linked to increased protection against the flu and a boost in immune function when combined with another amino acid, L-cystine. This combination improves the production of Immunoglobin G (IgG), an antibody with a vendetta against infection, and glutathione (GSH), an antioxidant. Antioxidants are valuable because they help our bodies remove free radicals. Free radicals are these unpaired, unstable, thieving little molecules that steal electrons from our lipid cell membranes (also called lipid peroxidation). The theft causes tissue and muscle damage and contributes to some of the big name diseases out there: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. L-theanine has demonstrated powerful antioxidative properties. 

Because antioxidants help us to remove many free radicals that can lead to cardiovascular problems like heart disease, L-theanine can do some pretty amazing things for heart health. Tea leaves from green tea and black tea on their own have been shown to improve cardiovascular health. And L-theanine sweetens the deal through its ability to mitigate blood pressure increases when the user undergoes acute stress. Translation? Less strain on the heart. Supplementing with L-theanine Not a fan of green tea or black tea? Healthy adults can safely and easily supplement L-theanine at a dosage of 100-200 mg per day, a staggering five to ten times higher concentration than what you’ll find in a cup of green tea. 

So even if you’re already pounding cup after cup of the umami taste bomb, you may not be enjoying all of its benefits...or at least not as efficiently. Consider supplementing with L-theanine to warm up for your day or to cool down at the end of it. L-theanine hasn't been linked to any adverse side effects or symptoms in the neuropharmacology sphere, but bear in mind that it should not be mixed with medications taken for high blood pressure because L-theanine reduces blood pressure. As with all new supplements and medications, consult with your healthcare provider before taking. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or a tenacious tea drinker, your mind and body will enjoy the benefits of adding L-theanine to the mix. 

To recap, the health benefits of this tea include: Reduced levels of stress and anxiety Increased sleep quality Increased focus, attention, and memory Increased immune function Increased cardiovascular health Antioxidative properties No matter what’s in your cup, we can all raise a glass to those health benefits!