New FDA food safety regulations in USA worry Thai exporters.(QFFI's Global Seafood Magazine): An article from: Quick Frozen Foods International

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Citation Details
Title: New FDA food safety regulations in USA worry Thai exporters.(QFFI's Global Seafood Magazine)
Publication: Quick Frozen Foods International (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2003
Publisher: E.W. Williams Publications, Inc.
Volume: 45 Issue: 2 Page: 40(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Now of course, no one is claiming green tea as a cure for cancer, obesity or any of the conditions mentioned above. But there no longer seems any doubt that just a few cups a day of this very inexpensive and simplest of drinks can be an invaluable addition to your daily health regime.

But if there's one single disease that's most characteristic of Western society today it must surely be obesity; as a look around your local gym or shopping mall will quickly confirm. And in truth, many of the killer diseases of affluence, most notably diabetes and cardio-vascular problems, have chronic obesity at their root. Swiss research published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in November 1999 suggested that green tea possessed thermogenic properties and promoted fat metabolism at a faster rate than could be explained by its caffeine content alone. Or in layman's terms, green tea is a powerful fat burner which can be a very useful tool in any weight loss program.

It was used first as an aid to good digestion, stimulating the absorption of nutrients from food; and also became known as a powerful anti-oxidant and detoxifying agent. These qualities alone, common to all teas, would be more than enough to make it a very valuable health supplement. But there's much more to green tea than this.

The news today is all about the extraordinary growth of the Chinese economy, but is there a danger that in importing Western affluence the Chinese may also import our levels of the characteristic diseases of affluence obesity, diabetes, heart attack, stroke and even cancer?

What makes green tea different from the more common black varieties is the method of production. Crucially, leaves for green tea are steamed rather than fermented, preventing the destruction of the vital EGCG compound. If you'll forgive a little scientific jargon, EGCG is short for Epigallocatechin Gallate, one of a number of catechin polyphenols that occur naturally in tea. EGCG is a very powerful anti-oxidant, the preservation of which has been indicated by research to make green tea anything up to ten times more potent than the more common fermented varieties.

Is This Simple Drink Nature's Most Powerful Anti-Oxidant?

Like EGCG, resveratrol is an anti-oxidant polyphenol, but a 1997 study at the University of Kansas demonstrated that EGCG is up to twice as powerful. Other research has credited EGCG with the ability to reduce total levels of cholesterol as well as improving the ratio of "good" (HDL) cholesterol to "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and protecting against the abnormal blood clotting which is a major risk factor for both heart attacks and strokes - still two of the biggest causes of premature death and disablement in the Western world.

The Chinese approach is becoming increasingly popular in the West, but fortunately there's no need for you wait until you're ill or to consult a specialist practitioner to derive the benefits. As amazing as it may seem, as simple a change as incorporating a few cups of green tea a day in your routine can deliver dramatic improvements in your well being.

The power of EGCG and related compounds in green tea may be illustrated by comparison with the so-called "French paradox". Reputable recent research has indicated that the relatively low incidence of heart disease in France, despite the traditionally high fat national diet, is due to the significant quantities of resveratrol found in the red wine which is also liberally consumed.

Tea became widely known in China during the Tang dynasty (AD 618907) but there's evidence that its health promoting qualities had been known to the enlightened for at least four thousand years.

Perhaps, but probably not, so long as traditional Chinese medicine retains its focus on promoting the balance and harmony of the entire human organism; on unleashing and then harnessing the body's own incredible healing powers.

Jeune fille de l'ethnie Thai Noir, Art Poster by Christophe Boisvieux, size 9.3750" x 11.8750"

If the dinner you're planning happens to be a romantic date or an important business meeting, it would be worth your while to conduct your own reconnaissance of the restaurant. Befriend the bartender or the maitre d'. Check out the menu and the wine list. Take note of the lighting, amount of noise, and interior design. And make sure to make a quick trip to the restroom before you leave. Of course, it's not always possible to make an advanced personal inspection of each restaurant you want to eat at but doing so would definitely increase the certainty of an excellent meal.

These days, most restaurants, especially the fancy ones, already maintain their own websites. These sites usually feature the menu, house specialties, wine selections, additional services, and some even cater to online reservations. There are also sites which contain comprehensive listings and reviews of dining spots in a particular city or community. With the wealth of resources about restaurants on the internet, it's much easier for you to check out the eateries in your area without having to step out of the house.

The Art of Choosing a Good Restaurant

Another indicator of the quality of a dining establishment is the number of its customers. Restaurants who have a steady stream of diners are more likely able to provide good food and great service. You may also ask your friends for recommendations. It is also helpful to consult restaurant reviews for a more professional opinion. Keep in mind though that the respectable opinion of your friends and the food critics in your local newspaper are based on their own palates and may not agree with your own unique taste.

Finally, your choice of a dining spot ultimately depends on the kind of dining experience you want to have. Are you aiming for a gastronomic adventure or would you prefer a more familiar and comfortable dinner? Do you want to taste a specific cuisine? Or a certain specialty perhaps? Your particular preferences, as well as those of your dining companion/s of course, are invaluable in coming up with that all-important decision of choosing where to eat.

So deciding where to have dinner may not exactly qualify as one of humanity's most crucial choices, but it doesn't mean that you should just pig out at the nearest dining dumpster either. Food, after all, is not merely a physiological necessity; it also happens to be one of life's greatest pleasures and should be thoroughly enjoyed in the best possible manner. Thus, it is only appropriate that the choice of a restaurant be given its rightful consideration.