When most of us hear the word “probiotic,” the first thing we think is yogurt. However, there is much more to probiotics. There are actually more than 100,000 billion bacteria, and more than 400 different types, in our bodies. They generate metabolic activity, mainly in the colon but in the gut as well. Their intestinal functions include digesting food, absorbing nutrients and helping prime our immune system to better fight infection. Interestingly enough, 70 percent of your immune system is actually in the digestive tract, along with good and bad bacteria. These “good” bacteria help our bodies function better. But illness, poor diet, stress, aging, infection by food poisoning and the use of medications can disturb the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria. That’s where probiotics can help.

Probiotics are products containing one or more live microbes in a concentration and formulation sufficient to provide a specific health benefit. The whole idea behind taking probiotics is to help your body fight “bad” bacteria. Probiotics can help bring back the balance and increase the amount of healthy bacteria.

Foods containing probiotic bacteria are almost exclusively dairy products, capitalizing on the traditional association of lactic acid bacteria with fermented milk. While most major brands of yogurt contain bacteria added along with starter cultures for their probiotic effects, less than 1 percent of fluid milk products in the U.S. contain probiotic bacteria.

Another source of live bacteria is kefir. Kefir, similar in taste and texture to yogurt, contains much more bacteria — yogurt typically has two or three strains, while kefir has 10.

From northjersey.com

Many tea drinkers are familiar with the potential health benefits of green tea, but have you tried white tea?

According to a study done by the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State, white tea contains a higher proportion of buds, which are covered with fine, silvery hairs that impart a light white/grey color to the tea. White tea brews to a pale yellow/light red color, and has a slightly sweet flavor with no grassy undertones sometimes associated with green tea.

Researchers at the LPI tested four types of white tea for their ability to inhibit mutations in bacteria, and subsequently examined the protective properties in a rat colon cancer model. In the former studies using bacteria, white teas were generally more effective than green tea in inhibiting mutations.

Paula Peatross, clinical dietitian with St. Mary’s Medical Center, said some teas can be high in vitamin K and that all teas contain tannins. They are a component of tea that helps prevent cancer-causing agents from binding to target sites.

“Green tea is also high in antioxidants,” Peatross said. “Antioxidants can help protect the cell membranes.”

From herald-dispatch.com

What can be more pleasant than doing something flatter for your beloved? Perhaps it is something flatter that You would like they do for You!!! So, you should seriously think over it. One of the most important moments of the evening is to remember that the purpose of romantic dinner is not the food itself! The table should attract attention, heat up imagination and leave the stomach short. Enjoy the holiday! We wish to You love and pleasure!

Menu for all lovers >>>

How’s this for inventing a new drink: first, you discover an odd gas produced as a by-product of brewing beer. Next you pop some mice inside a bell jar containing the gas and observe that they all die. In a fit of inspiration you add the gas to some water and notice that it fizzes. Discovering that this sinister gas is, in fact, carbon dioxide — the very substance we make effortlessly when we breathe — you then try and persuade the world to drink the stuff. It sounds crazy but both Joseph Priestley and Jacob Schweppe thought it perfectly reasonable when they introduced 18th-century society to the joys of fizzy water.

But now, in the modern scheme of mad health worries, carbonated water ranks high. Fizzy water, say the worriers, weakens your bones and strips the lining of your stomach. But can the tiny amount of CO2 in a bottle of mineral water really harm us?

Happily, research has been conducted. Spanish women given carbonated water were found to have perfectly normal bones after two months of treatment.

There have even been studies looking at the effect of carbonated drinks on the stomach and gut. Among the many that showed there was no harm done was an American study on competitive cyclists. Even when exercising like lunatics and producing maximum amounts of CO2, consuming a little more of the gas via fizzy water made no difference to the bikers. Unsurprisingly, given the hefty turnover of carbon dioxide our bodies deal with effortlessly each day, there remains no serious reason to think that carbonation makes water dangerous. Swapping a glass of plain old tap water for the bottled variety adds nothing save a little bit of sparkle.

From “Guardian Unlimited”

Many foods carry special symbolism in the Chinese culture. This year Chinese New Year begins on January 29, 2006 and lasts 15 days. Celebrate the New Year by serving these dishes, which can bring good fortune to everyone at the table.

ORANGES and TANGERINES represent prosperity and are a favorite dessert for New Year celebration.

DUMPLINGS convey good wishes towards one`s family. Traditionally, a coin is hidden in one of the dumplings and is a sign of good fortune for the person that finds it.

Traditional ROLLS resemble the shape of a gold bar and are often served on New Years as a symbol of wealth in the coming year.

NOODLES reflect long life, the longer the noodle, the stronger its symbolism.

Shrimp is associated with joy and happiness.

A whole CHICKEN represents happiness and is said to lead to a long, happy marriage.

From cooksrecipes.com