In one of our previous articles, we discussed the covid pandemic and how to stay safe. Let us now make sure we keep the facts from fiction with some frequently asked questions.
Are Viruses Alive?
No. Viruses are not alive (with respect to bacteria that are alive), meaning they don’t have any cells, but can still cause severe illness and possibly death.
What is the Coronavirus?
With that said, coronavirus is a virus that results in an infection to your nose, sinuses, or upper throat. Most coronaviruses are common, but with the outbreak of the virus from China in 2019, it became big news across the world. This is because of the dangers this strain exhibited. It was called SARS-CoV-2 and affected the lungs of millions of people, many of who did not survive. It was a respiratory tract infection and spreads the same way other coronaviruses do by person-to-person contact.
SARS-CoV-2 represents one of seven covid types. The other coronaviruses result in colds but usually do not significantly affect the person.
Let’s Take a Closer Look of covid-19 Here
What is the Latest Strain of COVID-19?
The latest strain is the Omicron variant and it is very contagious. Fortunately, most people do not get seriously sick and usually come down with just a cold and sometimes stomach ailment, and most people who are affected by Omicron do not get any lung issues.
If You Have Been Vaccinated, Can You Still Get Infected?
The answer is Yes, but with the vaccinations, especially the booster shot, your chances of getting very sick is substantially minimized and for very healthy individuals, they might not even have systems.
In one case, a 26-year-old medical student and her 27-year-old boyfriend were infected with the SARS-CoV-2. They have been both vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine and have also received the booster. The girl had symptoms consisting of a headache, stomach aches, and sinus issues, while the boyfriend had no symptoms at all. The girl, we’ll call Ana was fully recovered in about four days; however, they both quarantined for a week, as per the guidelines of their school and the CDC.
That said, you can still need to quarantine if you are infected because you can infect others.
There are signs of the coronavirus dissipating across the globe with many countries, including the US reducing the mandatory requirements of masks. So hand in there. We may be at the bitter end of this pandemic!
It’s no surprise when we say that COVID-19 is all over us and still, to this day, it is still spreading. Now quicker than ever, thanks to the Omicron vibrant! Fortunately, even though this strain is the most contagious that is infecting us now, it is also the most passive. For most of us, someone we know has already been infected including possibly you as well.
Vaccinated or Non Vaccinated – What’s the Difference?
There is a major difference. If you are not vaccinated, you stand the chance of getting more sick than those that have been given the jab. For the ones that have an immune deficiency and/or are elderly, your chances are higher, and subsequently, you may become severely ill, and possibly end up in a hospital. No one wants that!
How Can I Protect Myself Against the Virus?
Having antibodies in your body is your best defense. They will shield you from the most serious ailments and keep you from such symptoms as extreme fatigue and other serious medical issues. If you are lacking too many of these antibodies, you could possibly end up hospitalized.
How Do I Get These Antibodies?
Easy, GET VACCINATED! When you are inoculated, the odds of you becoming seriously ill are greatly reduced, and when you get the booster shot, chances are you may only have cold symptoms. Maybe a headache or two, but you will recover usually in a few days.It is important to note that even if you are vaccinated and you get the virus, you must still quarantine in order to keep others from getting infected.
Eat Healthily!
All studies point to a healthy diet leading to a healthy life, not to mention an effective immune system. Stick to fruits and vegetables. Also, fish, especially salmon has been found to be excellent health food. Learn about what foods are good for you and what is not.
How Do I Keep Safe Outside?
Wear a mask! Use an N-95, which is the best type of mask that can protect you and others from the virus. Ensure that the mask covers your nose and mouth and secure it under your jaw. Additionally, wash your hands frequently! Carry antibacterial hand sanitizer at all times. Even though the virus is not bacteria, these cleansers work. When you touch a doorknob, an item in a store, or something outside, wash your hands. This doesn’t mean that you need to do this every time but when you feel the need to do so. Most importantly, do not make contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.Remain somewhere around 6 feet (around two arm lengths) from otherStay away from large groups and inadequately ventilated indoor spaces.Refer to the CDC frequently for updates.
Conclusion
Taking these precautions is essential so that others do not get infected. After all, we’re all in this together, and the faster we can contain this, the faster we can go back to our normal lifestyles.
Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water and many people like to drink tea because it gives them a sense of calm and focus; however, most people do not realize how many health benefits this drink provides, such as weight loss, improved heart health, dental care, and more.
Here are some ways you can incorporate this healthy drink into your life: The Health Benefits of Drinking Tea
Tea Protects Your Heart Against Saturated Fats Trans fats are some of the worst ingredients for heart health. They raise your cholesterol level, which increases the risk of heart disease.
High Quality Tea Contains a Great Source of Antioxidants This helps lower your LDL cholesterol because antioxidants fight off free radicals. Those are the bad guys (cells) that cause damage to your body and is a great fighter against many diseases.
A Great Source of L-Carnitine This ingredient helps convert fats into energy. This means that your body can absorb more of the good fats.
Can Keep You Calmer Mint teas, chamomile teas, lavender teas, and rose teas are just some of the teas that can give you a calming effect, especially if you are stressed.
Tea Helps with Weight Management Teas have catechins that may boost metabolism and when your metabolism is higher, you use more energy; in other words, it helps your body break down fats more quickly. Additionally, caffeine in tea also increases your energy use, causing your body to burn more calories. Caffeine also helps to keep you more alert. One caveat though is people who have heart conditions should consult with a medical professional prior to consuming caffeine.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Did you know that each teabag has different amounts of caffeine in it? You can even drink different types of tea to discover how it affects your body. Here are some teas you can consider:
Green Tea: When you drink green tea, you are getting lots of nutrients in addition to caffeine. It’s a great source of antioxidants that can help you fight against heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and more.
Black Tea: Black tea is a very high antioxidant and can help with liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and more. It also helps relieve pain, reduces the effects of acne, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with digestive issues.
White Tea: If you are looking for a less intense caffeinated tea, white tea is a great option.
How To Make Tea
Do not let a cloudy tea glass scare you. There are several different ways to make tea that will make it a little clearer. The first way to make tea is by soaking the tea leaves in water, ideally boiling them for three minutes.
The best thing to do is steep the tea leaves in a pot with enough water to cover the leaves, bring it to a boil, and then let it sit for two minutes. If the tea still isn’t clear, place the tea leaves in a strainer and rinse the leaves through several times. To make a light tea, add a teaspoon of honey to the water. If the leaves are still a little cloudy, place them in a strainer and rinse them through a couple of times. Having black tea does not mean you have to do without sugar. To make a tea with just enough sugar, add a teaspoon of honey to the water. Best Types of Tea for Your Health
For many of the health benefits listed above, you can drink an assortment of teas, which can come in a variety of flavors and strengths. Generally, the darker the tea, the stronger and more antioxidant-rich it is. There are many health benefits that come from drinking loose-leaf teas. The darker the tea leaves, the more caffeine it contains.
Generally, green and oolong teas have less caffeine, while black and yellow teas have a lot of caffeine. It’s important to make sure that you always use high-quality loose-leaf tea. This is because it is the best way to get the most health benefits. Look for loose-leaf tea made from High-Quality Teas, which have been carefully brewed and steeped to extract the most caffeine out of the tea leaves.
What Exactly is Tea?
What Is Tea? Tea is an herbaceous perennial plant that originated in Asia. Tea’s botanical name is Camellia sinensis. It can be brewed from black, green, oolong, and white teas. The botanical name for green tea is C.sinensis var. assamica.
Tea tree oil is the name for a derivative of tea tree. Tea tree oil has been used for a long time as a topical and oral spray to treat a variety of conditions. It’s used to heal skin infections, wounds, itching, eczema, acne, and sunburns. It’s also used to repel insects and pests. It is also used as an antiseptic in people with skin infections. Tea & Cola I am sure you can guess this right away – the combination of tea and cola tastes awful.
What is the Best Time to Drink Tea?
Tea has caffeine, but it’s much less than coffee or soda. While drinking tea does not have the same negative effects as caffeine, it can be harmful if you drink it too close to bedtime, as it has been shown to keep you awake longer. How much tea should I drink? If you want to lose weight, drink around five cups of tea a day.
If you are looking to lose weight and promote a healthy diet, you should drink around three cups of tea a day. Drinking tea can lower your cholesterol and insulin levels. What other benefits does tea offer? Tea is high in antioxidants, which can help lower the risk of heart disease and cancer. It is also a natural substance to make bile, which aids in digestion. Tea contains sugar, but it can be sweetened with honey, maple syrup, or fruit.
Can I Drink Tea While Pregnant?
Many pregnant women drink green tea, as it helps to lower the chances of birth defects and other complications. However, a small amount of research shows that drinking tea while pregnant could put your child at a higher risk for death from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, most of these studies were done on rats, so it is not yet clear if drinking tea during pregnancy is actually harmful to your baby. For more information, click here. Can I drink green tea when breastfeeding? Most green tea companies will produce tea with caffeine that has been decaffeinated. That means you can drink green tea while breastfeeding, but it is not recommended.
Can I Drink Tea if I Have Type 2 Diabetes?
According to The American Diabetes Association, tea is one of the best non-medicinal diabetes treatments. However, it is still important to talk to your doctor before adding it to your daily diabetes regimen. For more information, please visit the American Diabetes Association website. Can I drink tea if I have type 1 diabetes? A non-tea drink like juice can be very harmful to your body when consumed every day. Therefore, it is recommended that people with diabetes slowly reduce their juice consumption and increase the amount of water they drink. For more information, please visit the American Diabetes Association website. Can I drink tea if I have type 2 diabetes? Tea has an almost equal mix of carbohydrates and protein as other foods.
Which is Healthier, Green or Black Tea?
Both green and black tea contain polyphenols, which are phytonutrients, but only green tea contains catechins.
1. Catechins support the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms. 2. Catechins provide antioxidant properties that help fight harmful free radicals in the body. 3. Catechins have neuroprotective benefits, which help protect the brain from damage. 4. Catechins support the metabolism of glucose, which helps control blood sugar levels. 5. Catechins can help slow the aging of the skin and promote glowing skin. 6. Catechins help reduce the body’s production of uric acid, which causes gout.
Bottom Line
Most all teas carry a large array of health benefits, but it is up to you to decide which teas are best for you or maybe try different ones and not stick to just one kind of tea.
Continuing on our binge of healthy items at the bagel store, we have so spoken about eating healthy foods and what healthy foods are available at the bagel store, but we have not touched specifically on healthy bagels! That’s right. Healthy bagels!
This article describes how bagels fit into a healthy diet and gives tips on how you can maximize their nutritional value. Here is everything you need to know about bagels, including what people say about incorporating them into a nutritional diet. Knead the dough, form a circle with a hole in the middle, then cook and bake the bagels.
The nutritional content of bagels can vary widely, with countless varieties made from an assortment of ingredients. In general, bagels are made from whole foods which are healthy in their own right. The simplest bagel is made from a mixture of refined wheat flour, salt, water, and yeast.
Bagels can be healthier than breakfast pastries, such as croissants and donuts because they contain less fat. The exact nutritional value of a bagel depends on the ingredients and toppings used. While its value can vary depending on the variety, bagels are a good source of energy and carbohydrates as well as small to medium amounts of protein.
Whole grain bagels contain more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than regular bagels. Bagels that are billed as wholemeal are made from 100 percent wholemeal flour, but you can also eat standard bagels made from processed flour. However, do not assume that they always contain whole grains.
When you buy bagels, it is best to choose from the whole food options: flour, yeast, salt, barley malt, and eggs. Given all these options, it can be difficult to decide which bagels to buy if you want to eat healthily.