Battling Heart and Stroke

Documentary films might not be your cup of tea but you have to try this one. The Meaning of Tea, a film by Tea Dragon Films, is a 74-minute documentary on - well, tea. Now, you may ask, what is so special about a film about - of all things - tea? What on earth is so exciting about tea? Well, check out this press release:

“The Meaning of Tea is an engaging documentary film that explores the romance and complexities surrounding tea, a universally beloved and widely consumed beverage. The film travels through eight countries, unveiling many reasons behind tea’s mysterious appeal. From afternoon tea in the Midwestern United States to tea estates in India, from the traditional tea ceremony of Japan to modern tea life in Morocco, the film explores the rituals and ceremonies of tea celebrated and enjoyed by a myriad of unique cultures. With an exciting mix of interviews, archival footage and music, the film sheds light on tea’s many varieties, whose value, use, practices, and traditions are sometimes misunderstood, neglected, and even threatened by today’s marketplace. The common thread weaving together these individual stories is the question of whether there is any inherent “meaning” to be found in tea, particularly in an era increasingly dominated by mass-marketing, fast food and corporate coffee. The film also examines the role certain modern forces pay in threatening the survival of tea and its cultural significance. By visiting places where tea is still revered and by investigating its role in these societies, The Meaning of Tea suggests the profoundly positive role tea may play in the future of humanity.“

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The cold weather is upon us and a cup of something hot is just the thing to drive the chills away. So what is your favorite hot drink?

This report by Greek researchers published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation suggests we should go for green tea.

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Heart experts from all over Europe and the world met in Munich, Germany last August 30 to September 3 to share the latest research findings on cardiovascular sciences at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2008. Today and in the coming days, I will be presenting some extracts from reports presented at the Congress.

One of the most interesting presentations under the topic “Cardiovascular Disease Prevention - Risk Assessment and Management” is entitled “The gourmand’s heart - a bitter sweet relationship?” where Spanish heart expert S.S. Menendez summarized the latest updates on the health effects of four common food and drinks in the Western diet, namely tea, coffee, wine and chocolate. More →