Green Tea Recommended for Energy Boost!
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Energy seekers who want to boost their stamina levels might do better to drink green tea than caffeine-laden drinks like Red Bull, one health expert suggests.
However, an improved diet and exercise will generate more energy over the long term, says Teresa Moore, a clinical associate professor with the University of South Carolina 's Arnold School of Public Health. She's also a bodybuilder.
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Green tea, Moore says, contains a caffeinated kick and is rich in antioxidants.
"If you're going to have something, green tea is a better alternative," says Moore, who also is a certified dietitian. "You want to stay away from high-sugar products."
Red Bull contains 27 grams of sugar, while Coca-Cola's new Vault energy drink contains 32.
In many shops, energy drinks fly off the shelves at the rate of several cases a week, employees said.
"They deliver (Red Bull) two times a week," says Walt Tomihuro, a manager at the Corner Pantry in Columbia , S.C. , for the past eight years. He added that a recent surge in energy drink popularity has sent soft drink companies scrambling to develop their own caffeinated concoctions.
"I do better getting up in the morning, eating a good breakfast and using sheer willpower to get in the gym," says Moore, who won the middle class division and overall title at the 2001 National Physique Committee's South Carolina bodybuilding competition.
She said a balanced diet and healthy sleeping habits will do more for energy levels than any quick fix can.
"Get out and walk 15 to 20 minutes every day," she says. This trains the body to wake up in the morning, conditions the heart and ultimately increases alertness and lifts energy levels "because your body is just functioning better," she says. "I've seen people notice it after working five or 10 minutes, and it doesn't have to be fast-paced."
The base of the health food pyramid is comprised of water.
The five tiers on top of that base represent foods that are to be eaten daily. These foods include:
- fruits and vegetables
- grains
- legumes
- seasonings
- healthy fats like olive oil, and eggs and dairy products.
The next two tiers represent foods that are to be eaten weekly. These include:
- fish and seafood
- lean meats
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