Black tea is a popular beverage around the globe. In fact, after water, tea is the most-consumed drink worldwide, and it is made from a blend of black teas.
It tends to be stronger than other teas, like herbal teas and some green teas. Black tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant.
Black tea has less caffeine than coffee, so many people drink it to stay healthier and improve their diet. You can find Black tea inside most grocery stores and at cafés around the world.
According to findings, black tea contains antioxidants which prevent damage in your cells that can lead to diseases.
Therefore, drinking black tea can lower your risk of diseases such as:
One of the reasons people enjoy drinking tea so much is for the health benefits it offers. For instance, the minerals and antioxidants in black tea improve or prevent health conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or dehydration.
Here’s a deeper look at some of the potential health benefits of drinking black tea:
The black teas that form English breakfast tea contain flavonoids that contribute to a healthy heart. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant generally found in fruits and vegetables. Regular consumption of flavonoids can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, in addition to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. All of these elements help keep a heart healthy.
Lower Cholesterol
Antioxidants in black tea also help lower cholesterol. For instance, theaflavin and thearubigins have been found to help manage hyperlipidemia (high fat in the body, or high cholesterol) and related high-fat disorders or high cholesterol. In particular, theaflavin and thearubigins cause glucose (sugar) to decline and insulin to increase, which leads to lower cholesterol.
The avocado, or Persea Americana, is a fruit that belongs to the family of Lauraceae; a group that also includes members such as cinnamon and laurel.
There are dozens of varieties of avocado, ranging in size, colour and texture.
All are native to tropical climates and, when harvested, the flesh softens to a buttery texture that has become extremely popular in everything from dips to desserts.
From toast toppings to desserts and smoothies, avocado is often touted as a healthy fruit.
According to registered nutritionist Jo Lewin, it takes one through the nutritional highlights of this versatile fruit.
The popularity of avocado is down to its richness, creamy texture and mild flavour.
Research shows that 80g portion of Avocado contains:
152kcal/627KJ
5g protein
6g fat
5g carbohydrates
6g fibre
360mg potassium
56mg vitamin E
Top 5 health benefits of Avocado
1. Avocados are rich in nutrients:
They have been commended as an example of a nutrient-dense food.
Avocados are an excellent source of monounsaturated fat and vitamin E, and a good source of folate.
They also supply more soluble fibre than other fruits and contain a number of useful minerals including iron, copper and potassium.
2. Promotes Heart health:
Avocados are high in fat with 60 per cent of this being monounsaturated fats, which helps to protect against heart disease and lower blood pressure.
They also are an excellent source of potassium, folate and fibre, all of which benefit the heart and cardiovascular system.
3. Lowers cholesterol:
The oils supplied by avocado include oleic acid and linoleic acid. These unsaturated fats are recommended as part of a balanced diet to help manage cholesterol.
4. May help to regulate appetite:
There is no doubt that the calorie content of avocados is greater than other fruits and vegetables.
However, an interesting study has shown that the fat and fibre content of avocados leads to feelings of satiety which helps to regulate appetite.
5. Promotes healthy Eyes:
Avocados are a rich source of protective vitamin E, as well as carotenes which are thought to help keep the eyes healthy.
Is avocado safe for everyone?
According to research, some sensitive individuals may experience an allergy to avocado, this includes an oral allergy which may be triggered by a cross-reaction to birch pollen.
Avocado, along with fruits including apples, peaches, raspberries and blueberries, contain natural chemicals called salicylates.
Some people are sensitive to these compounds and may experience an allergic reaction including skin rashes and swelling, and if you are concerned about food allergies or have any other concerns, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian for guidance.
Here are some fantastic Avocado recipes to try:
Avocado salad:
Ingredients
4 Cos lettuce leaves, chopped
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 radishes, finely sliced
2 spring onions, finely sliced
50g cucumber, cut into small cubes
25g flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
25g mint leaves, coarsely chopped
1 avocado, chopped into chunky pieces
½ tbsp sumac (a crushed red, lemony berry, available in Middle Eastern and Indian markets or online).
Method:
STEP 1
For the dressing, mix the crushed garlic with a pinch of salt, lemon juice and olive oil. Set aside until ready to serve.
STEP 2
Combine the salad ingredients in a bowl, season and toss with the dressing just before serving. Serve with Crisp Za’atar bread.
Avocado Panzanella
With just 20 minutes of preparation and no cooking time, you’ll be able to whip up this colourful avocado and bread salad in no time.
Ingredients
800g mix of ripe tomatoes
1 garlic clove, crushed
1½ tbsp capers drained and rinsed
1 ripe avocado, stoned, peeled and chopped
1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
175g ciabatta or crusty loaf
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
Method
STEP 1
Halve or roughly chop the tomatoes and put them in a bowl. Season well and add the garlic, capers, avocado and onion, and mix well. Set aside for 10 mins.
STEP 2
Meanwhile, tear or slice the ciabatta into 3cm chunks and place in a large serving bowl or on a platter. Drizzle with half the olive oil, half the vinegar and add some seasoning. When ready to serve, pour over the tomatoes and any juices. Scatter with the basil leaves and drizzle over the remaining oil and vinegar. Give it a final stir and serve immediately.
Variety they say, is the spice of life, the blending of fruits to make a smoothie is a very delicious way to consume your Avocadoes.
Preparation:
Make Avocado into Smoothie
Blend a little portion of mango, grind a little quantity of groundnuts, then, serve it step by step inside a transparent cup, to make it so attractive and appealing, refrigerate for a few minutes, until it is ready for consumption.
Zobo drink is made from dried red sepals of the Hibiscus Sabdariffa plant and is one of the most consumed beverages all over the world.
The Hibiscus Sabdariffa is also known as roselle is a species of flowering plant in the genus Hibiscus, native to Africa and most likely West Africa.
It is important to note that not all hibiscus plants are roselle but all roselle are hibiscus plants and the leaves, stem, and flowers of roselle plants are rich in essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and Iron.
The ruby red hibiscus flower drink is known as Karkade in Egypt and Zoborodo in Hausa
Other names for Hibiscus Sabdariffa are Florida cranberry, red sorrel, Jamaican sorrel, and Rosella.
Zobo is referred to as the powerhouse of vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B1(thiamin), VitaminB2(Riboflavin), VitaminB9 (folic acid) and Vitamin C
Speaking on the nutritive and health benefits of roselle, Nutrition and Public Health Expert, Mrs Yetunde Adeseluka- Oladejo said the drink is high in anti-oxidants needed in the growth and repair of all body tissues and abundant in calcium, iron, phosphorus, niacin, fibre, fat and a whole lot of other amazing nutrients.
“Aside from its high Vitamin content zobo drink can be very useful in the management of diabetes as it’s been found to trigger a low to moderate blood sugar and should be a preferred choice for diabetic patients. It is also helpful in the fight against anaemia as it increases the packed cell volume of the body while helping good functioning of the liver and the kidney”
Mrs Adeseluka-Oladejo however cautioned against excessive intake of Zobo as overuse may be detrimental to the body which could result in side effects such as stomach ache, nausea, painful urination, headache, and dizziness due to its effect on the blood pressure.
Nutrition and Public Health Expert, Mrs Yetunde Adeseluka- Oladejo
She also advised nursing mothers and pregnant women to keep away from this drink throughout the period of lactation and pregnancy to prevent harm to their children.
So, call it Zobo, Roselle or Rosella if you like. You can also tap into the goodies and richness embedded in this wonderful drink.
Pension Transitional Arrangement directorate, PTAD, says transformation of pension administration in Nigeria to the next level through prompt payments of monthly pension benefit remains its priority.
The Executive Secretary, PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme stated this at the Southwest directorate stakeholders’ forum held at Jogor centre, Ibadan.
Dr Ejikeme said the forum became imperative to introduce interactive stakeholders engagement for face to face contact, where important issues would be discussed.
She noted that safety of pensioners was of utmost importance, thus the directorate had opened up more channels of communication and complaints resolution to enable them perform optimally.
Dr Ejikeme stated further that, despite numerous challenges facing the country, PTAD had continued to pay monthly pensions promptly, resolved complaints, cleared accrued arrears and payments of death benefits to some next-of-kins.
“Most recently, on the 14th of December, 2021, PTAD, completed the payments of all outstanding inherited liabilities of some defunct agencies.
Also, the directorate lauched “I AM ALIVE” confirmation platform for online application through smart phone or a computer.
Dr Ejikeme said the platform was designed to enable pensioners to enroll from their homes or neighbourhood unlike the old stressful ways of verification Exercise.
She stated further that the Exercise would take the pensioners through a three step process that ends with a text message.
The directorate also commissioned PTAD office at the Federal Secretariat, Ikolaba, Ibadan.
Reacting, some of the pensioners who were seen in relaxed mood and conducive environment appreciated PTAD for the positive turnaround of pensioners, who had witnessed untold hardship before this time.
They called on federal government not to relent on making life easy for them as they have no more strength to struggle to make end meets.
