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Want the Health Benefits of Tea without the Caffeine?
If you are looking for a healthy drink then there is almost nothing better than a cup of Green Tea. Green tea does however contain caffeine, and those of us looking to cut back on our caffeine intake might want to consider another option to get in all of the great antioxidants that can be found in tea. So if you are looking for a great tasting tea that is full of antioxidants and all the while caffeine free, let me introduce you to your new drink of choice: Rooibos.
Rooibos is high in antioxidants, while perhaps not quite as high as Green tea, and has a really wonderful flavor that some might find superior to Green tea. Still not convinced? Check out the following list of proposed health benefits from itea.com.au:
Rooibos is a good source of antioxidants and is the only known source of a potent antioxidant aspalathin, which could play a role in combating several lifestyle diseases. Unlike black and green teas, Rooibos is naturally caffeine free (not decaffeinated) and therefore suitable for children, infants and breast-feeding mothers. Rooibos has proven cancer-fighting properties in animal research studies. Rooibos contains low amounts of tannin. (Tannins are astringent, bitter-tasting plant polyphenols that bind and precipitate proteins and interfere with iron absorption in the body.) After centuries of use, no negative side effects of Rooibos have ever been recorded. In Japan, Rooibos is called “Long Life Tea” and considered an anti-ageing beverage. Many Japanese women also believe that Rooibos tea offer special benefits during pregnancy.
BCBSNC Moves to Improve Downtown Winston-Salem
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) is going to be turning former R.J. Reynolds Tobacco warehouses into labs that will conduct research in Winston-Salem. Not only is this move good for BCBSNC but it is also good for the city of Winston-Salem, according to digtriad.com Doug Edgeton, president, Piedmont Triad Research Park (PTRP), had the following to say about the project:
“This investment by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina will enable us to preserve a former manufacturing area in the heart of downtown Winston Salem. The State Mill Tax Credit program is a very effective tool for sustainable redevelopment and provides tremendous benefits to the local economy. PTRP is very excited about Wexford’s redevelopment of the R.J. Reynolds 91 Buildings, which is the first step towards a transformation of the park’s North District.”
The buildings are slated to become medical labs and will conduct research as well. There are future plans for the sites as well, and the project area as a whole will be known as Wake Forest BioTech Place and will be occupied by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center researchers.
How to Fight your Sinuses this Winter
We might not often think about our sinuses…until the winter comes. That’s the time when the dry air makes things particularly inviting for bacteria as well as making everything generally less comfortable for you sinuses. So what can you do to help fight off bad sinus problems during the winter?
If you are having major problems you might want to put that bcbsnc north carolina health insurance to good use by going and seeing a doctor. You can always try the following first however:
- Use a saline solution. A saline spray will help keep your membranes moist and generally help keep your sinuses working properly
- Drink hot teas and soups.
- Use a compress over your eyes and nose, especially after using saline solution.
- Blow your nose properly. Don’t blow to hard as this can cause problems to move to your ears.
If you follow these tips you should be well on your way towards making this winter season a better one in terms of your physical well being.
Top reasons to have Health Insurance
Do you need health insurance? Everyone wants to be covered but some people just feel that there isn’t enough of a reason for them to get signed up. Maybe they think that they are in great health and don’t need coverage, or maybe they think that they are young enough that they are as of yet “indestructible”. The fact of the matter is that everyone should carry coverage regardless of age and health because health insurance can provide security in an otherwise insecure world. The people over at mamashealth.com put together a great list of reasons why it is good to have coverage like that offered by blue cross blue shield of north carolina:
- Health insurance helps to ensure that you and your family are protected against the financial hardships that may result from health care expenses.
- Without health insurance, you may not be able to afford medical care when you need it
- People with health insurance are more likely to go to the hospital before their condition worsens and becomes more expensive to treat.
- People with diabetes who do not have health insurance have a higher mortality rate than people who have diabetes and health insurance.
- If large medical bills are not paid, the hospital can put a lien against your property.
- You may have to seek are at county run hospitals. County run hospitals are often overcrowded and it may take hours, if not days to be seen.
- Some colleges, universities, and international programs require proof of health insurance to be enrolled.
- You may receive a high life insurance premium.
When should you see your Doctor
Sometimes we find it difficult to decide when it is the right time to see our doctor. Should we go if we are just feeling a bit run down? Maybe it is good to schedule appointments ahead of time and go on a regimented routine? Unfortunately it can be difficult to decide what the right thing to do is when it comes to seeing our doctors. With this in mind the people over at life.familyeducation.com have put together a list that might provide a few reminders about when the best time to see a doctor might be:
- Yearly check-up (every other year if no health risks)
- Yearly dental exam
- Monthly breast self-exams
- Yearly Pap smear/OBGYN visit after the age of 18 or when sexual activity begins
- Mammogram initially by age 40; high risk by age 35
- Colonoscopy initially by age 40; high risk by age 35
- EKG as recommended by your primary physician
You can use this list as a starting point towards determining when the right time for you to schedule appointments might be. This guide can’t be a one stop solution so you may want to consult with your physician before deciding when the right time for appointments is for you.
