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Wednesday 29 November 2017

The Top 5 Chaga Mushroom Supplements of 2017

Known as the “best of the best” when it comes to medicinal mushrooms, chaga is quickly gaining popularity on the internet for its multiple health benefits.

While we are just now learning about the miraculous uses for chaga, the fungus has long been used for hundreds of years in countries such as Russia, Siberia, and parts of Asia.

What makes the chaga mushroom so special and does it have any side effects? We’ll cover all of this later in the article when we break down how it works, the benefits and side effects, and how to take chaga mushroom supplements.

But before we get there, we’ve ranked the top 5 chaga mushroom supplements on the market according to price, quality, and customer reviews.

So what’s the best chaga mushroom supplement on the market?

1- Primal Herb Chaga Mushroom

Lowest price on Amazon

Primal Herb offers one of the purest and authentic chaga mushroom supplements the market has ever seen.

Their wild harvested chaga mushroom extract powder contains 40% polysaccarides and is extracted at a 30:1 ratio, making it one of the most potent chaga mushroom supplements on Amazon.

According to Primal Herb, they harvest their wild, fully matured chaga mushrooms straight from the birch trees of Siberia. They also use a unique, two-step extraction process. Here’s what they have to say about it:

We use a Dual Extraction Process: both water and alcohol extraction. This process allows for the extraction of some of the most active and bioavailable compounds. In the extraction process, we use purified water and Non-GMO ethanol.”

Absolutely no fillers, no binders, and no artificial ingredients.

Serving size: 1/2 teaspoon – 120 servings total in the bag.

Buy Primal Herb Chaga on Amazon

2- Activa Naturals Chaga

Lowest price on Amazon

Each capsule contains 500 mg of chaga mycelium but you take two capsules for a whopping 1 gram serving of chaga extract. One of the strongest dosage of chaga compared to other leading chaga products.

According to the manufacturer:

“Chaga Mushroom may support the immune system with its unique ingredients such as polysaccharides, Beta-D-Glucans, phytosterols, Betulin and betulinic.”

This product is manufactured in the USA and contains absolutely no fillers, no chemicals, no additives, and no artificial colors.

Take 2 capsules per serving – 60 servings total in the bottle.

Buy Activa Naturals Chaga on Amazon

3- Sayan Health Chaga Extract

Lowest price on Amazon

Sayan Health offers a premium Siberian chaga mushroom water extract produced by using a freeze drying process to ensure the product is optimized with the most essential nutrients.

Here’s what the Sayan company has to say about what separates their chaga supplement from their competition:

“Sayan offers Chaga extract produced by a low-temperature water extraction with freeze dry process to ensure maximum potency. Other manufacturers use an infrared drying process that can scorch the herb and destroy its precious nutrients.

In order to get just 1 pound of Chaga extract powder, we process 6.25 pounds of raw Chaga. Our nutritional supplement is 100% pure and unadulterated. We never mix in other herbs to cut corners and always keep our prices competitive for our customers.”

Serving size: 1/2 tsp. – about 56 servings total in the bag.

Buy Sayan Health Chaga on Amazon

4- Host Defense Chaga

Lowest price on Amazon

With one of the best selling mycelium-sourced chaga supplements on Amazon, it’s hard to go wrong with Host Defense.

They use a chaga mushroom mycelium grown on brown rice, which is kind of like the mushroom’s root system. It is important to note that this product is from cultivated chaga mushrooms grown on the manufacturer’s own farm, not the wild ones found in Siberia.

According to the manufacturer:

“Host Defense® Chaga uses activated, freeze-dried, Certified Organic mycelium, with a full spectrum of constituents: polysaccharides (beta glucans, arabinoxylane, glucose, xylose, galactose and mannose), glycoproteins, ergosterols, triterpenoids, mycoflavonoids, and other myco-nutrients, which are essential for supporting natural immunity.”

Recommended dosage instructions: Take 2 capsules once per day, with or without food.

Serving size: 2 capsules – 30 servings total in the container.

Buy Host Defense Chaga on Amazon

5- My Berry Organics Maine Chaga

Lowest price on Amazon

Just plain chaga roots, slow dried and ready to be made into tea. That’s exactly what you get with My Berry Organics Maine Chaga Tea Chunks.

These chaga mushrooms are harvested in the wild birch forests of Maine and have been conveniently sawed and hammered into small chunks ideal for making chaga tea. No strainers or tea bags needed.

Here’s what My Berry Organics says about how to prepare their chaga tea chunks for consumption:

“Directions: Bring water to a simmer, remove from heat, drop in one chunk and steep up to 15 min. Water must be quite hot to infuse. Water color will range from very light to dark depending upon which chunk is used. Both colors offer all the nutritional benefits of chaga.”

About 17-20 chunks in the bag – makes about 35-50 servings (depending on how you re-use chaga chunks).

Buy MBO Maine Chaga on Amazon

What are chaga mushrooms?

Chaga mushrooms are part of the hymenochaetaceae family. This fungus grows on various trees, and is most often found on the birch species.

It features an irregular form that resembles the look of burnt charcoal. The black appearance is due to the large amount of melanin found inside.

Widely found in birch forests, chaga is native to Russia, Japan, Eastern and Northern Europe and Canada. In the United States, it can be found in Alaska, parts of the northernmost states, and in the North Carolina mountains.

Chaga has been used in folk medicine in various North European countries for generations. Today’s medical research on the fungus has centered around its traditional medical use as a form a cancer treating therapy [1].

A study using extracts from chaga on immunosuppressed mice found that it increased IL-6 levels, which could make it useful as an immune system enhancer while a cancer patient undergoes chemotherapy.

The study also showed that the fungus could suppress the growth of TNF-a, a cell that signals protein involved in inflammation.

How Chaga Mushrooms Have Changed Cancer Treatment Research

This could be helpful for individuals who live with autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.

Recent studies have shown that chaga can activate the immune cells that are responsible for fighting off cancer growth. While these studies are still ongoing, the powerful fungus has shown to be effective in supporting various cancer treatment approaches such as chemotherapy.

It works by combating the negative side effects of the treatment. While it may not be the key to ending cancer overall, the current evidence we have now shows that there could be significant compounds inside the mushroom that make further investigation potentially beneficial [2]

When experts want to prove that an herb, fungus, or other natural ingredient can help fight cancer, there are several events that must take place. First, the researchers must show that the extract can successfully reduce cancer cells by performing a cell culture experiment.

If the experiment has positive results, they will then perform tests to see if the extract can reduce the size of a cancerous tumor. If that proves to be effective, and it is non-toxic to the test subject, the test can then be performed on humans in clinical studies.

At this time, there have not been any clinical experiments performed using chaga extract. However, there are numerous published reports that show chagas’s effect during cell culture experiments. Two groups have performed studies on chaga extract.

One showed that the Neurogliocytoma cells in the experiment were inhibited when treated with chaga extract. These cells are neurons or brain cells that have become cancerous.

The other group performed tests that showed related results using human colon cancer cells It found that Chaga water extract could limit the growth of these cells by as much as 56% [3].

How do chaga mushrooms work?

There are six key ingredients that give chaga mushrooms their incredible medical benefits. They are Polysaccharides, Beta-D-Glucans, Phytosterols, Betulin and Betulinic Acid, Antioxidants, and SODs.

  • Polysaccharides

This ingredient provides users with a powerful boost of energy, promotes heart health, improve liver health and intestinal function, and can also improve blood sugar levels. Polysaccharides are also believed to be excellent mood enhancers. This ingredient is found inside of the chitin walls of chaga.

  • Beta-D-Glucans

This essential ingredient is known for helping improve the immune system. Beta-D-Glucans can help with balancing cholesterol levels and keeping your blood sugar in check.

  • Phytosterols

There are several types of phytosterols present in chaga such as Lanosterol, Inotodiols, Ergosterol, and Fecosterol. Various testing has shown that lanosterol and Inotodiols have a direct effect on cancer cells.

  • Betulin and Betulinic Acid

Betulin and Betulinic acid are highly powerful therapeutic agents currently being studied for their positive effects on cholesterol levels. Along with helping to diminish bad cholesterol, these agents are also being researched on their effect against viruses and cancers.

  • Antioxidants

Chaga contains prominent levels of natural melanin which is known for its antioxidant content. Chaga mushrooms actually have the highest ORAC score for antioxidant potency of any other superfood out there.

  • SODs

This is another important antioxidant that can be found inside chaga. SOD is a group of enzymes known as Super Oxide Dismutase. They help protect our bodies from the harmful effects of uncontrolled oxidation as well as free radicals.

What are the benefits of chaga mushrooms?

There are several great health benefits to taking chaga mushrooms. They contain ingredients that can help boost the immune system and powerful antioxidants for overall well-being.

Here are a few of the key benefits that you can receive by taking a chaga supplement:

  • A Healthy Immune System

Chaga can help to give our immune systems a boost, only as needed. Because of the mushroom’s high Beta-D-Glucan content, it can help to balance the body’s response to the immune system. That means it can slow down the activity of our immune system if it becomes overactive.

This makes chaga an excellent Biological Response Modifier.

  • Soothing Pain Relief

Chaga can provide pain relief and soothing properties in times of irritation. It supports the function of our blood vessels which can be useful for those suffering from pain or neuropathy.

  • Healthy Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Levels

Recent studies have shown that the amount of betulnic acid found in chaga mushrooms can help to regulate cholesterol levels and promote healthy blood pressure levels [4].

  • Promotes Antimicrobial Activities

The chemical makeup and the biological activity of chaga mushroom extracts were examined in a study and showed that the cells have a high antioxidant and antimicrobial content.

  • Prevents Damage to DNA

Additional studies have shown that cells pretreated with chaga extract and then later treated with H202 to promote oxidative stress had less damage than those that didn’t receive the chaga extract.

  • Advanced Antiviral Properties

In limited studies, chaga mushrooms showed to provide benefits and protection to irritated skin and prevent blemishes.

  • Helps with Ulcers and Gastritis

Because it can give our immune system a boost, chaga has been used over the years to promote good gastrointestinal health.

Ulcers are usually caused by bacteria such as Hellcobacter pylori. Having a healthy immune system can help fight off this and other harmful pathogens. Current ulcers can also be soothed by taking chaga.

What are the side effects of chaga mushrooms?

Chaga is a natural medicine that can safely be taken every day in reasonable amounts. Taking too much chaga at once can cause potential side effects.

The fungus is a natural blood thinner, therefore taking excessive amounts along with prescription blood thinners such as Plavix, or over the counter medications like Aspirin can have an adverse effect.

Chaga is also high in magnesium and potassium. While that is good news for those who need more of these nutrients in their diet, overconsumption of chaga could put a burden on your kidneys and lead to kidney damage.

Do not take additional magnesium or potassium supplements while you are taking chaga [5].

Diabetics should limit their chaga intake to maintain healthy blood sugars since the fungus is known to lower blood glucose levels. If you are already taking medication for diabetes, taking chaga could lead to hypoglycemia.

How do you take chaga mushrooms?

Chaga is a tonic and should be taken daily for best results. It is recommended that users consume one to two cups of chaga tea their overall health and well-being.

To help speed up healing or assist with other serious health conditions, it is recommended to take three to five cups of chaga tea for the initial dosage.

Make sure to pay close attention to the label on your chaga supplement and follow the recommended dosage instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Recap

While there are still multiple studies being performed on the effectiveness of chaga mushrooms when it comes to cancer treatment, so far, the outcome looks very good.

Even though we are still unsure if the mushroom itself can halt the disease, we do know that it can help to ease the pain and discomfort associated with chemotherapy, and that could be a huge relief for cancer patients receiving the treatment.

Along with that potential benefit, chaga can also help with various other health issues such as high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels, pain management and diabetes.

Be sure to take chaga as directed since an overdose could lead to serious health issues. Chaga can be consumed as a tea and safely taken daily.


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The post The Top 5 Chaga Mushroom Supplements of 2017 appeared first on HealthRanks.org.



This article first appeared on Health Ranks - https://healthranks.org/chaga-mushroom/

Monday 27 November 2017

The Top 5 Shiitake Mushroom Supplements of 2017

It’s one of the most powerful superfoods known to mankind and it can be enjoyed in a number of ways with different recipes for meals, nutritional shakes, and even your morning coffee. 

Say what?

Introducing the shiitake (“she-TOCK-ee”) mushroom.

Loaded with positive health benefits, these tasty little mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular, especially for the AHCC and cancer fighting properties of the fungus [1].

What makes the shiitake mushroom so special? We’ll explain this and cover all the side effects and benefits later in the article. First, we’ve ranked the top 5 best shiitake mushroom supplements on the market according to price, product quality, and customer reviews.

So what’s the best shiitake mushroom supplement on the market?

1- Supreme Potential Shiitake Mushroom

Lowest price on Amazon

Supreme Potential offers an excellent, 900 mg capsule of shiitake mushroom extract sourced from the above ground fruiting body, unlike most shiitake supplements which use a mixture of mycelium with brown rice.

The whole body benefits include improved cardiovascular and immune system health, anti-aging and antioxidant properties, and lowering cholesterol levels.

Here’s what the manufacturer has to say about their company:

“Supreme Potential is a high quality brand of nutritional supplements formulated for a variety of purposes that lead to our customers’ overall wellbeing. We have a passion for promoting wellness and positivity through optimal health, and we empower people to reach their full potential.

We are proud to offer products that promise effectiveness and positive results. We understand the market has become flooded with harmful supplements that are unreliable and unsafe to consume, but we look to provide safe and reliable products that are purposeful without being harmful.”

Also according to the manufacturer, the product contains 750 mg of AHCC which is naturally found in shiitake mushrooms.

Recommended dosage instructions: “For adults, take two (2) capsules one to two times daily, preferably with a meal.”

No artificial ingredients, fillers, binders, or GMOs contained in the supplement. Manufactured in the USA in an FDA approved GMP certified facility.

Each capsules contains 900 mg of shiitake mushroom extract – 100 capsules total in the bottle.

Buy Supreme Potential Shiitake on Amazon

2- Mushroom House Dried Premium Shiitake

Lowest price on Amazon

If you’re looking for pure, high quality shiitake mushrooms either to harness the nutritional value or just to use for cooking, you can’t go wrong with Mushroom House.

Sold by a remote family business in Thailand, Mushroom House takes it to the next level with the quality of their mushrooms. Customer reviews indicate that these mushrooms are generally larger and have less damage after shipping than their competitors.

Are whole shiitake mushrooms more nutritious than shiitake mycelium brown rice capsules?

Turns out, to obtain a more concentrated form of the glyconutrients and healthy components contained in the shiitake mushroom, the best method is a hot water extraction process sourced with whole fruiting bodies [2], just like the ones Mushroom House offers.

Comes in a 1 lb. bag of 4-6 cm hand-picked mushrooms.

Buy Mushroom House Shiitake on Amazon

3- Solaray Shiitake Mushroom

Lowest price on Amazon

Solaray Shiitake Mushroom is one of the most popular shiitake mushroom supplements sold on Amazon.

Each capsule contains 600 mg of shiitake mycelium mixed with a brown rice biomass. The brown rice acts as the host plant for the mycelium, which is basically the root system part of the mushroom.

The shiitake mushroom mycelium powder is contained in a gelatin easy to swallow capsule for a quick and easy solution to taking the supplement.

Recommended dosage instructions: “Take up to three capsules two times daily with a meal or glass of water.”

100 capsules in the bottle.

Buy Solaray Shiitake Mushroom on Amazon

4- Host Defense Shiitake Extract

Lowest price on Amazon

All of the great immune boosting qualities of the shiitake mushroom in a convenient, easy to take liquid supplement. That’s what Host Defense is all about with this product.

According to the manufacturer, this shiitake extract is “made with US grown, triple extracted organic mushrooms.”

Here are the official ingredients in this supplement:

  • Fresh Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mycelium extract
  • Dried Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) fruitbody extract
  • water
  • alcohol (alcohol content 30-40%)
  • myceliated brown rice

Recommended dosage instructions: “As a dietary supplement, take 1 mL twice per day. Can be taken with food or without, on an empty stomach or as recommended by your healthcare advisor.”

Take 1 mL per serving – 60 mL total in the bottle.

Buy Host Defense Shiitake on Amazon

5- Mushroom Science Shiitake

Lowest price on Amazon

Mushroom Science offers a pretty unique shiitake mushroom product.

Each capsule contains 300 mg of shiitake mushroom extract using the hot water extraction process for shiitake mushrooms grown on wood.

The hot water extraction process is said to contain 50-80x more beta glucan than mycelium grown on rice or liquid alcohol shiitake supplements. One of the few shiitake supplements on the market that use the hot water extraction process instead of brown rice mycelium.

Recommended dosage instructions: “Adults take 1-3 capsules twice daily, AM or PM on an empty stomach.”

Serving size: 1 capsule – 90 capsules per bottle.

Buy Mushroom Science Shiitake on Amazon

What are shiitake mushrooms?

Shiitake mushrooms are fungus that have a smoky flavor and a rich texture.

They are one of the most commonly consumed mushrooms and are probably available in your local vegetable markets and in the produce section of your grocery store. Like the white button mushrooms, shiitakes have an abundance of flavor that intensifies when they are dried.

The Shiitake mushroom is native to East Asia; however, they are widely grown in other parts of the world including Japan, Singapore, China, Canada, and the United States.

While we may consider them a vegetable, shiitakes are a fungus. They are often found growing in the wild on dead or decaying hardwood trees.

How do shiitake mushrooms work?

Shiitake mushrooms are beneficial to our health because they contain a large number of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that promote good health.

They also contain some of the same amino acids as meat, which makes them an excellent protein alternative for vegetarians and vegans.

Shiitakes are a low-calorie, high-fiber superfood that contain high amounts of B-vitamins and essential minerals. These mushrooms also contain immune-boosting ingredients such as polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols and lipids.

These are all essential to lowering bad cholesterol levels [3] and can even help prevent certain types of cancer.

Here are some of the nutrients that you can get from eating a serving of shiitakes.

  • Vitamin D
  • Zinc
  • Folate
  • Manganese
  • Vitamin B6
  • Fiber
  • Protein
  • Niacin
  • Riboflavin
  • Selenium
  • Copper
  • Vitamin B5

The amount of these vitamins and nutrients found in shiitake mushrooms can vary depending on where the fungus is grown.

There are two primary uses for shiitake mushrooms, they are used as food and as a supplement. While it is most common for people to consume dried shiitake mushrooms, you can also cook them fresh as well.

When you add shiitake mushrooms to stir fry, soups, and stews, it brings out a unique flavor described as “umami”. The word means savory and delicious, and it is used to describe the fifth taste after sweet, sour, bitter, and salty.

Shiitake mushrooms have been used as supplements in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are believed to improve health and longevity and boost circulation.

Medical experts today have found that the bioactive compounds inside these mushrooms can provide us with even more health benefits, such as protecting us against inflammation and certain forms of cancer.

What are the benefits of shiitake mushrooms?

There are several health benefits associated with these mushrooms because they are loaded with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants.

They also contain strong natural compounds that can help fight off inflammation and bad bacteria. Here are a few of the many benefits of shiitake mushrooms:

  • Improve Heart Health

Studies performed on shiitake mushrooms have shown that they could be beneficial for individuals with cardiovascular disease, or those who may be at risk. The mushrooms contain three compounds that can help lower bad cholesterol levels. These compounds are Sterols, Beta-glucans, and Eritadenines.

Eritadenines are compounds that merge with the enzymes which produce cholesterol. Sterols are molecules that can help prevent cholesterol absorption in the gut, and Beta-glucans are a form of fiber that can help improve cholesterol levels.

A study recently performed on lab rats who had genetically high blood pressure showed that administering shiitakes in powder form helped prevent a rise in blood pressure levels. Experts also feel that shiitake mushrooms are ideal for heart health when eaten as a whole food.

In another study where rats were fed a high-fat diet and then given shiitakes to eat showed that the rats later had less fat in their livers, and less plaque buildup on their artery walls. They also had lower cholesterol levels overall [4]

  • Boost Your Immune System

Based on the results of a study performed in 2015, shiitakes could help to strengthen your immune system. They study had individuals eat dried shiitakes daily for a month.

As a result, they had less inflammation and their immune levels were on the rise. This could be due to the compound polysaccharides which are in the mushrooms [5].

  • Fight Obesity

There are some components in shiitake mushrooms that have fat-reducing properties. Eritadenines and B-Glucan are effective in helping with weight loss. Recent studies have shown that B-Glucan, which is a soluble dietary fiber, can increase satiety, delay nutrition absorption, and reduce the buildup of fat.

  • Cancer-Fighting Capabilities

The polysaccharides in shiitakes are also responsible for the mushroom’s cancer-fighting abilities. Lentinan is a polysaccharide that can fight tumors by promoting immune system health. It has also been shown to prevent the growth of leukemia cells.

In countries such as Japan and China, lentinan is currently being used with chemotherapy to improve the immune function of patients with gastric cancer, and enhance their overall quality of life [6].

  • Antibacterial & Antiviral Effects

Shiitake mushrooms include various compounds that have antibacterial and antiviral effects. They include Oxalic acid, Lentinan, Centinamycins A & B, and Eritadenine.

  • Improve Energy & Brain Function

Shiitake mushrooms contain a high amount of B-Vitamins. They can help support adrenal function which can be useful with improving energy levels. They can also help balance hormones and eliminate brain fog to help you maintain focus. It has also been known to help improve cognitive function, which could be useful with memory loss.

Many people are deficient in B-Vitamins and that can cause a decrease in energy, unhealthy blood cells and poor focus. Adding more shiitakes to your everyday diet can help to provide you with the energy boost that you need to remain alert and stay focused on your daily tasks.

  • Strengthen Bones

Mushrooms contain Vitamin D and they are the only natural plant source that does so. Vitamin D can help build strong bones and improve our overall calcium levels.

  • Amino Acid Support

Shiitakes are a unique plant because they contain all the eight essential amino acids. They also contain an essential fatty acid known as linoleic acid. This fatty acid aids in weight loss and can help build strong muscles.

Linoleic acid may also improve digestive function, reduce food allergies and sensitivities, and it has bone-building benefits.

What are the side effects of shiitake mushrooms?

Most people can consume shiitake mushrooms without any issues. However, there are some potential side effects that may occur.

There have been some rare cases where individuals developed a skin rash after eating or touching raw shiitakes. This is a condition known as shiitake dermatitis. It is believed to be caused by the lentinan content in the mushrooms.

Using powdered mushroom extract as a supplement over an extended period of time may cause some side effects such as upset stomach, sensitivity to sunlight and skin irritation.

There have been some claims that eating mushrooms can cause gout-like symptoms. This is believed to be caused by the high purine content. Yet at the same time, some studies have shown that eating shiitakes and other types of mushrooms can actually lower the risk of gout [7].

How do you take shiitake mushrooms?

The great advantage to taking shiitake mushrooms is that unlike many other dietary supplements, these mushrooms can be added to a variety of recipes and they have a very pleasant taste.

You can cut off the bottom half of the stem, or remove it completely to make the mushroom easier to eat since the stems can be harder. Slice the mushroom into thin strips and scatter on a salad. Or cook in a mixture garlic and butter to serve along with pasta. Shiitakes can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried.

If you choose to take the supplement form of shiitakes, there are powder and capsule varieties available.

However, you should be careful and only take the recommended dosage. It can be much easier to take a higher amount of shiitakes in capsule form. And that could lead to developing harmful side effects.

Recap

Shiitake mushrooms are a superfood that contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which can improve your immune system and prevent harmful diseases such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.

While studies based on the effectiveness of shiitakes and eliminating cancer are still ongoing, the results of numerous tests have been very positive. Shiitakes have been used in China for several years in combination with chemotherapy to treat gastric cancer. And the fungus has been used for centuries as a remedy for several types of illnesses.

Shiitakes are safe to eat in reasonable amounts and make a powerful addition to soups and stews.


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The post The Top 5 Shiitake Mushroom Supplements of 2017 appeared first on HealthRanks.org.



This article first appeared on Health Ranks - https://healthranks.org/shiitake-mushroom/

Sunday 26 November 2017

The Top 5 Matcha Green Tea Supplements of 2017

Matcha green tea is no ordinary cup of tea…

Dating all the way back to the 1100’s, the tea has been used for centuries in China and Japan as a refreshing antioxidant beverage and for its particularly useful medicinal purposes.

It is still a quite popular tea to help provide your body with energy, create calmness, lower blood pressure, decrease the risk of stroke, and help with weight loss efforts.

So what’s the #1 rated matcha green tea out there?

1- Zen Spirit Matcha Green Tea Powder

Lowest price on Amazon

This particular matcha green tea supplement is harvested and packaged in Japan, making it the most authentic and pure matcha green tea on the market.

Loaded with l-theanine to help balance out the effects of caffeine, this powerful blend of matcha can help your mental focus throughout the day.

Here’s what the company has to say about what separates their product from products sold by their competition:

“Packed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, you can add our Matcha to your baking, cooking and drinks to enjoy the many healthy benefits of this green tea powder. Add it to your smoothies and lattes and experience the rich, silky taste of Zen Spirits Matcha.”

This product is 100% sugar-free, gluten-free, and cholesterol-free.

Serving size: 1 rounded teaspoon – about 33 servings in the bag.

Buy Zen Spirit Matcha Powder on Amazon

2- Kenko Matcha Green Tea

Lowest price on Amazon

“Super premium matcha tea” – that’s the motto that the Australian tea company Kenko lives by, and for a good reason.

These guys use only shade grown, hand picked matcha tea leaves that are air dried + stone ground to order to make a pure matcha tea powder that can be used for matcha drinks, cakes, smoothies, or added to your protein shakes.

The matcha leafs sourced from the Nishio region of Japan are naturally high in EGCGs, fiber, chlorophyll, amino acids, and vitamins A, K and E.

Not the cheapest matcha green tea on the market, but it’s definitely top quality.

This product is 100% USDA organic matcha and it’s also non-GMO, gluten free, vegan friendly, pesticide free and lab tested to ensure the safety and potency. 

Serving size: 1-2 grams – 30 grams total in the container.

Buy Kenko Matcha Green Tea on Amazon

3- TEAki Hut Organic Matcha Tea

Lowest price on Amazon

Just plain ol’ organic matcha tea for a great price – that’s what TEAki Hut is all about.

It’s one of the most affordable matcha green teas on the market and they source premium matcha leaves from China (shade grown without using herbicides or pesticides, hand-picked and properly dried before stone grinding).

TEAki Hut also offers a refund if you’re not completely satisfied with the product:

“We guarantee that you will be absolutely happy with your experience using our matcha green tea powder, or your money back. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your order, simply let us know for a no questions asked 100% refund!”

Packaged in an air-tight, BPA-free bag for maximum freshness. This product is also 100% USDA certified organic.

2 oz of matcha tea in the container – about 50 servings total in the bag.

Buy TEAki Hut Matcha Tea on Amazon

4- Jade Leaf Organic Japanese Matcha 

Lowest price on Amazon

Sourcing their matcha leaves directly from organic farms in Uji, Japan, Jade Leaf provides a top quality organic matcha tea for a reasonable price.

They’re one of the top selling matcha green tea products sold on Amazon.

It is important to note that each half-teaspoon (1g) serving contains roughly 34mg of caffeine, about 1/3 a cup of coffee. However, matcha also contains l-theanine, which has a calming and leveling affect so it doesn’t make you feel jittery or wired like coffee does.

According to the manufacturer:

“It is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, fiber and chlorophyll. The health benefits of matcha exceed those of other green teas because matcha drinkers ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water. One glass of matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of nutritional value and antioxidant content.”

1/2 teaspoon per serving – about 30 servings in the bag.

Buy Jade Leaf Organic Matcha on Amazon

5- Enzo Premium Organic Matcha

Lowest price on Amazon

Premium organic matcha tea offered by a company (Enzo) that donates 10% of their profits to local charity organizations to fund lower income community education programs.

The matcha leaves are shade grown and picked mid-morning by farmers packet into bags and stone-grinded & extracted into powder.

Here’s what the manufacturer has to say about the product:

“7x more antioxidants than dark chocolate – matcha destroys the free radicals which helps with productivity. It also reliefs stress level, helping you to stay alert, calm and focus which means you get more faster, which means more time to spend with your friends & family doing the things you love.”

This matcha green tea product is 100% gluten-free, vegan friendly, low-carb, kosher, vegetarian, and GMO-free.

Serving size: 1/2 teaspoon – about 113 servings in the bag.

Buy Enzo Premium Organic Matcha on Amazon

What is matcha green tea?

Matcha green tea is a special powdered tea grown in Japan.

The green leaves contain high levels of chlorophyll because they are shaded from the sun for the last few weeks of growth. The leaves are then ground and made into a fine powder.

The powder is used to create green tea, which is known to be a powder antioxidant. It can be used in various recipes for baked goods, smoothies, or shakes.

Matcha green tea is different from other forms of tea, because it is not strained before drinking. This means that when you drink it, you are consuming the entire leaf. This makes matcha green tea one of the most potent of all tea varieties. It is so strong that only a half of a teaspoon of the powder is needed to brew a cup of matcha tea [1].

How does matcha green tea work?

The one thing that sets matcha green tea apart from all other green teas is the fact that the entire leaves are dissolved in water instead of steeped in a bag. Instead of throwing away the leaves, you consume them all and their powerful antioxidants as well.

Matcha tea can help to cleanse and detox your body using chlorophyll. This element not only provides matcha tea with its signature color, but it also works as a powerful detoxifier that purges the body of harmful toxins.

It can easily eliminate harmful chemicals and heavy metals from the body and is ideal for use as a daily detox method.

Matcha green tea can provide you with energy without the caffeine-fused jitters. Drinkers experience a pleasant boost of energy while consuming this beverage from the combination of the tea’s natural properties. Which means that the increase of energy is not from the amount of caffeine alone.

What are the benefits of matcha green tea?

Matcha green tea is believed to have a long list of physical and mental health benefits. Here are a few details on what you can receive when you consume this popular tea.

When you drink matcha green tea, you receive 100% of the nutrients contained in the leaf. One cup of this tea equals 10 cups of regular brewed green tea based on nutritional value.

Along with being rich in chlorophyll, this tea also has a high fiber and vitamin content. It also provides you with essential nutrients such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, and chromium.

  • Promotes Calmness

Matcha green tea has both caffeine and L-Theanine which helps to balance out the caffeine level so that it provides the user with a calming effect while also providing them with energy and alertness.

This unique combination occurs because of the shading process that takes place during the last few weeks before the leaves are harvested.

  • Works as a Powerful Antioxidant

Matcha is well known for having a high concentration of antioxidants. A study found that the tea contains 137 times more polyphenols than regular green tea. It has more than 60 times the antioxidants as spinach and 7 times the antioxidants in dark chocolate.

  • Effective Weight Loss Supplement

Epigallocatechin gallate, aka EGCG, is known to assist with burning away stored fat and using it as energy. It is also used to decrease the creation of new fat cells. This ingredient is found in high concentrations in matcha green tea.

Additional studies have shown that the catechins in this tea improve the body’s ability to burn calories faster, and can provide additional fat burning assistance while you work out [2].

  • Promotes Heart Health

A study performed in 2011 showed that green tea was effective in lowering bad cholesterol levels [3]. A review that followed in 2013 also showed that those who consumed green tea on a regular basis often had lower blood pressure levels and had a decreased risk of stroke.

The reason green tea such as matcha is so effective with lowering cholesterol is because of the high amount of catechins in the tea.

  • Improves Concentration & Focus

Matcha green tea contains high levels of L-Theanine. This ingredient is believed to improve alpha brain waves, which have the ability to improve our concentration and focus [4]

  • An Excellent Source of Chlorophyll

Before matcha green tea is harvested, the leaves are shaded from sunlight for the last few weeks. This helps to increase the level of chlorophyll and give the leaves their bright green color. The chlorophyll level can help eliminate heavy metals and other harmful toxin buildup in the body.

While research is ongoing on the subject, many experts recommend drinking matcha green tea for this benefit.

  • Improves Skin Health

Green tea is filled with powerful antioxidants including EGCG which can help support healthy, youthful looking skin. These antioxidants can reduce inflammation and eliminate free radicals that often cause early signs of aging.

What are the side effects of matcha green tea?

With all the great benefits that it provides, it is clear to see why matcha green tea is such a popular beverage and dietary supplement.

However, there is one important factor that everyone should know about before they consume this ancient tea – it contains lead [5].

The fact is all green teas, even those that are organic, contain trace amounts of lead and fluoride. When they are brewed traditionally, the leaves are removed and that removes most of the lead from the tea. 

However, with matcha green tea, the entire leaf is consumed. That means there are higher concentrations of lead in this type of tea than what is found in other types of green tea.

Still, the lead shouldn’t be a reason for everyone to avoid trying Matcha tea because it contains a very low amount. However, pregnant women and children should avoid drinking it entirely.

Due to the high level of caffeine, the tea could cause some additional side effects such as:

  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Diarrhea
  • Heartburn

Green tea is also known to cause upset stomach and constipation in some people. 

How do you take matcha green tea?

Matcha Green Tea is available in a concentrated powder form which can be found at many health food stores.

Organic Matcha tea is highly recommended because it is produces without any additives or pesticides. For best results, you shouldn’t add the green tea powder to boiling water. This will give it an unpleasant taste. Instead, boil the water and allow it to cool for five minutes before you add in the tea.

To add matcha green tea to your weight loss plan, drink it in between meals. Drinking tea when you eat a snack can help to prevent cravings while you are on a low-calorie diet. The antioxidant EGCG stimulates hormones that help you feel full based on results from a study performed in 2015.

To burn more fat during workouts, drink a cup of matcha tea 30 minutes before you exercise.

Remember, for optimal results, you should always eat a nutritious diet and exercise regularly to lose weight.

Recap

Matcha green tea is unlike any other green tea available on the market. This organic, ancient tea has been used in Chinese and Japanese culture for thousands of years.

Along with helping users lose weight, this tea contains powerful antioxidants that can help improve your focus, promote heart health, and fight the early signs of aging.

This green tea contains large amounts of chlorophyll due to its unique harvesting process. This is the main reason matcha tea is so different from other types of tea. The excessive amount of chlorophyll does much more than give the leaves it’s bright green color. It also removes harmful toxins and heavy metals from the body.

Matcha green tea is safe to drink without side effects. However, it does contain a small amount of lead, slightly more than other green teas. Therefore, matcha tea should not be consumed by pregnant women.

Matcha tea is a great dietary supplement for those who want to lose weight. However, it shouldn’t be the only resource used for weight loss.

Drinking this tea with meals or snacks as you enjoy a healthy meal plan and exercise daily will help you see positive results and reach your weight loss goals faster.


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The Top 5 Green Coffee Bean Supplements of 2017

Green coffee bean extract is a trendy weight loss supplement on the rise because of its particularly fast acting weight loss benefits.

The extract gained popularity in the industry when it was featured on the Dr. Oz show in 2012 and since then, many curious individuals have tried out the supplement to see how effective it is with weight loss.

There have also been several studies performed on the extract which showed that it could easily lead to a significant amount of weight loss depending on your lifestyle. 

So what makes the green coffee bean so special and are there any side effects? We’ll cover all of that later in this article. First we’ve ranked the top 5 best green coffee bean extracts on the market according to price, quality, and customer reviews.

So what’s the #1 rated green coffee bean supplement?

1- VitaBalance Green Coffee Plus

Lowest price we found

VitaBalance’s Green Coffee Plus is the overall leader in green coffee bean extract supplements, making them our #1 recommended green coffee bean supplement.

If you’re looking for the most potent, premium green coffee bean product on the market, look no further than Green Coffee Plus. Their website has plenty of testimonials with before and after pictures that verify that this product indeed works to shed unwanted fat.

Each serving contains 800 mg of pure green coffee bean extract with 50% GCA (green coffee antioxidant).

Here are the official supplement facts:

Take 2 capsules daily – 30 day supply in the bottle (60 capsules).

Buy Green Coffee Plus online

2- NatureWise Green Coffee Bean

Lowest price on Amazon

With just one capsule per serving and 60 capsules in the bottle, it’s hard to find a better deal for green coffee bean extract than NatureWise’s product.

This natural weight loss supplement is loaded with 800 mg of green coffee bean extract per serving. It is naturally high in chlorogenic acids, acting as a natural metabolism boosters and fat burners for both men and women.

Made by the health supplement powerhouse company NatureWise, so it’s a brand with a reputation you can trust.

These particular green coffee bean capsules contain about the same amount of caffeine as one cup of decaf coffee, for all the powerful benefits without the jitters.

This product is 100% non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and contains zero artificial ingredients.

Buy NatureWise Green Coffee Bean on Amazon

3- Green Label Premium Green Coffee Bean

Lowest price on Amazon

This particular supplement is vegan friendly, gluten free, and contains no artificial ingredients, making it one of the most popular green coffee bean supplements on the market.

It comes with a full month’s supply with a serving size of two capsule each day (1600mg) that gives you two separate boosts during the day to maximize your results.

Also contains 50% Green Coffee Antioxidant Inactive Ingredients: Cellulose (Vegetable Capsule), Magnesium Stearate (Vegetable).

Buy Green Label Premium GCB on Amazon

4- Micro Ingredients Pure Green Coffee Powder

Lowest price on Amazon

Perfect for the smoothie enthusiasts, Micro Ingredients’ Green Coffee Bean Powder is exactly what it sounds like – pure green coffee bean powder.

Some benefits of taking green coffee bean in simple powder form:

  • higher concentration
  • quicker absorption
  • easier on the stomach
  • more ways to serve it

This product is 100% pure, vegan, no additives or preservatives, fillers free, NON-GMO, and gluten-free.

200 mg per scoop – about 565 servings per container. Now that’s impressive!

Buy Micro Ingredients Green Coffee on Amazon

5- Sports Research Green Coffee Bean Extract 

Lowest price on Amazon

Made with svetol and coconut oil, Sports Research offers a premium green coffee bean extract that is quite different from their competition.

Here’s what the company has to say about what separates their product from the rest:

“Sports Research Green Coffee Bean Extract harnesses the benefits of coffee, in a plant concentrate, and provides proven effectiveness for slimming and beauty. Our product is made with Svetol® a natural plant extract of decaffeinated green coffee rich in active components.

Obtained from unroasted coffee beans of the exotic Robusta variety (Coffea canephora robusta Pierre), Svetol® possesses a unique composition whose effectiveness has been clinically proven in numerous studies.

The active ingredients in our Green Coffee Bean Extract are Polyphenols, which are antioxidant molecules, and Chlorogenic Acids. Chlorogenic Acids are a group of beneficial compounds that have been shown in pre-clinical and clinical studies to support healthy blood sugar levels, fat reduction, and healthy BMI.”

This product is third party HPLC tested and verified 100% free of wheat, peanut, soy, shellfish, egg, and milk.

90 softgels in the bottle – one month supply.

Buy Sports Research GCB on Amazon

What is green coffee bean extract?

Green Coffee Bean Extract is the extract derived from regular coffee beans prior to roasting.

All coffee beans are green; however, they are usually roasted before they are sold to the public. The roasting process is what turns the beans from green to the brown color we are familiar with.

Coffee beans contain powerful antioxidants and active compounds including chlorogenic acid and caffeine.

Chlorogenic acid is the active ingredient in green coffee bean extract. It’s the main ingredient that experts believe is responsible for weight loss when used as a supplement.

The reason avid coffee drinkers don’t receive the same weight loss benefits as those who take the supplement is because the majority of the coffee bean’s chlorogenic acid is diminished when the beans go through the roasting process.

How do green coffee beans work?

Since green coffee bean extract contains both chlorogenic acid and caffeine, it can help you lose weight while also boosting your metabolism.

Caffeine is known to boost your metabolism level by as much as 11% [1]. Therefore, taking the extract will help with weight loss efforts and give you the energy that you need to take part in a daily exercise routine.

While this powerful increase of energy from caffeine is essential, experts still claim that the active ingredient in green coffee bean extract is chlorogenic acid.

Studies on this ingredient show that chlorogenic acid can help lower the body’s absorption of carbs within the digestive system. That can help keep your blood sugar levels at a lower rate and reduce the occurrence of insulin spikes. This means that taking a green coffee bean extract supplement would be equivalent to consuming a low-carb diet.

As you may already know, eating a low-carb diet is one effective way to lose weight. Therefore, if the supplement mimics this type of diet plan, the claims of its weight loss effectiveness must be true.

Additional studies have shown that consuming chlorogenic acid can help reduce body weight, decrease the amount of fat absorbed by the body, reduce the fat stored in the liver, and promote the activity of adiponectin, a fat burning hormone [2].

Another benefit we can receive from chlorogenic acid is that it also improves bad cholesterol levels and elevated levels of triglycerides, which can help decrease our risk of developing cardiovascular disease [3].

What are the benefits of green coffee beans?

Aside from the potential weight loss benefits and improved metabolism, experts have found that green coffee bean extract offers many other health benefits.

Since it also helps our bodies to absorb and use carbohydrates for energy, green coffee bean extract has a positive effect on blood glucose management. This makes it useful for individuals with diabetes and helps to explain how the extract is an effective weight loss supplement.

Studies have shown that green coffee bean extract can also help reduce inflammation, which is a key element in various metabolic problems, including diabetes.

Here are some more details on the many known benefits of green coffee bean extract:

  • Weight Loss Management

Although research on the effectiveness of GCBE for weight loss is ongoing, one study showed a significant amount of potential for the extract’s ability to fight obesity. An animal study conducted on overweight mice found that the extract decreased weight gain, liver weight, and the weight of white adipose tissue with adipose tissue lipolysis hormones.

The study concluded showing that the mice given green coffee bean extract had a lower fat mass than those not given the extract, but fed the same diet. Overall, the mice given GCBE had a great decrease in their weight and fat mass. This led researchers to believe that green coffee bean extract “has a potential anti-obesity effect” [4].

  • Lowers Blood Pressure

A study that involved hypoglycemic patients showed that after they took GCBE, 13 out of 17 participants had lower blood pressure readings. Those involved in the study took 800mg of the extract each day.

That dose is higher than normal; however, it seems to be effective in reducing high blood pressure levels. Additional research on the subject revealed that lower doses of the extract, around 50mg to 140mg, could also effectively decrease blood pressure when taken for 4 to 12 weeks.

The reason green coffee bean extract can lower blood pressure levels could be due to the hypoglycemic agents found in chlorogenic acid. This could also help lower high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

  • Anti-Aging Effects

The antioxidant properties found in green coffee bean extract have been shown to help slow down the early signs of aging. By taking around 400mg a day of the supplement, users can receive a large amount of the daily antioxidants they need to see the benefits of GCBE’s anti-aging effects.

  • Improves Focus

Because green coffee bean extract contains a large amount of caffeine, it can help alter your mental health and function. This can include improving your mood, focus, memory, alertness, reaction time, physical performance, and overall motivation.

Keep in mind that not everyone responds well to a large amount of caffeine, therefore if you take a higher dose of GCBE, you should monitor your symptoms to avoid a possible caffeine overdose [5]

What are the side effects of green coffee beans?

Although the benefits of green coffee bean extract may be helpful, you may also experience side effects from taking this product and changing your diet.

The amount of caffeine alone could cause a higher level of anxiety or high blood pressure. Those who have a sensitivity to caffeine or anyone with heart problems should avoid taking this supplement because it could cause heart rhythm abnormalities.

If you start to experience frequent headaches, IBS symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea, have trouble sleeping or begin to have acid reflux, you should stop using this product.

Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take green coffee bean extract. If you have any of the following health conditions, you should also avoid taking GCBE supplements as it could cause additional medical issues to occur.

  • Anxiety
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Diabetes
  • Glaucoma
  • High Blood Pressure

How do you take green coffee bean supplements?

When purchasing green coffee bean extract supplements, you should look for pure coffee seed extract that doesn’t contain any additives, filters, cellulose, or binders.

While there is no standard dosage recommendation, you should consider factors such as your caffeine tolerance and body weight when taking this supplement.

Based on recent studies, users have experienced benefits by taking low doses of green coffee bean extract around 200 to 400 mg. The dosage you take should also depend on the amount of chlorogenic acid in the supplement.

If the concentration amount is around 10%, you should take 800 to 3000 mg of green coffee bean extract each day. If the concentration of chlorogenic acid is higher, at around 20%, you should take around 600 to 1500mg of the supplement each day.

If the concentration amount is 50% or higher, reduce the dosage amount to 200 to 600mg per day. You shouldn’t exceed 2000 to 3000mg of green coffee bean extract without consulting with your doctor first.

Recap

Green coffee bean extract is derived from coffee beans before they are roasted. This allows the extraction of the extract while it still has a high amount of chlorogenic acid. This ingredient is essential for weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, helping to improve mood and focus, and providing users with a boost of energy.

Numerous studies have been performed on green coffee bean extract and most of the results have shown that the supplement can effectively help users lose weight. This is mainly because the extract helps to improve the absorption of carbohydrates to use for energy. In short, taking green coffee bean supplements is like being on a low-carb diet.

Along with being an effective weight loss supplement, green coffee bean extract can help with various health issues. It is known to lower bad cholesterol levels and decrease the amount of triglycerides in the blood. It is also an effective way to give yourself an energy boost thanks to the high level of caffeine it contains.

Since there are many people who have a sensitivity to caffeine, people interested in taking green coffee bean extract supplements should be aware of the potential side effects. If you experience IBS symptoms, have trouble sleeping or have frequent headaches after taking this supplement, you should stop taking it and consult with your doctor for more information.


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The post The Top 5 Green Coffee Bean Supplements of 2017 appeared first on Health Ranks.



This article first appeared on Health Ranks - https://healthranks.org/green-coffee-bean/