Blood boosting cuppa
New research, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, shows that if athletes want to increase their endurance performance it might not be energy drinks and gels they should be consuming, but a nice cup of lemongrass tea…
If you’re an endurance athlete one of the main physiological responses you want to achieve from your training is to increase the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood. An increase in oxygen circulating in your blood ultimately leads to more fuel for your muscles, which means you can perform better for longer.
Researchers looked at the effect of drinking lemongrass tea in 105 men and women for one month. Various blood measurements were taken before, during and after the experimental period and it was found that drinking the tea significantly increased red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration in all those tested. Red blood cells are those which carry oxygen and they do so because they contain haemoglobin, which is the molecule that binds the oxygen. It appears therefore that drinking lemongrass has an ability to increase the oxygen carrying capacity of our blood.
Whilst the researchers didn’t look at exactly how lemongrass might achieve this they theorised that is was ‘likely due to some nutritional constituents and its antioxidant and pharmacologic properties.’
Try this…
Health food and drink experts Natur Boutique produce both a pure Organic Lemongrass Tea and an Organic Lemongrass and Green Tea.
The lemongrass tea has a light, but not bitter, lemon taste, with hints of mint and ginger and is available directly from Natur Boutique’s website www.naturboutique.co.uk
The Organic Lemongrass and Green Tea is now available from Holland and Barrett stores and combines the benefits of lemongrass with green tea, which is grown organically at high altitude to produce a richer flavour and an added anti-oxidant punch.
Both teas costs just £2.99 for twenty tea bags.
1. J Med Food. 2014 Aug 27. Bioactive Natural Constituents from Lemongrass Tea and Erythropoiesis Boosting Effects: Potential Use in Prevention and Treatment of Anemia.Ekpenyong CE1, Daniel NE, Antai AB.
Please note: Pregnant and breast feeding women should consult a doctor before use.
Statistics released by the Government’s ‘Be Real’ campaign highlighted that 87% of girls aged 11-21 think that women are judged more on their appearance than on their ability.
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