Is it too good to be true that you can burn up to 500% more with fat burners? For legal issues, manufacturers are not permitted to make these bold claims on the bottles that they do work. However, companies can use other forms of strategic marketing to entice the consumer by luring vulnerable individuals with commercials, ads in newspapers and magazines. Before I actually discuss this topic I’ll address what they are, how it functions through our system, is it safe, and does it really work?

The usage of fat burners induce thermogenesis. This is the process the body uses to burn fat by manipulating our metabolism. The derivative for thermo is heat and genesis is production. The most common ingredient on the market today is Ephedrine and referred as Ma Huang (an ancient Chinese herb). It has been around China for over 3000 years in preparation to help with colds, flu, asthma and allergies used as tea. Other common ingredients on the market are caffeine and aspirin. These 3 combined are known as the ECA stack and the ingredients are greater as one maximizing thermogenesis. Aspirin is salicin which is a component of white willow bark which led to discovery of aspirin. Guarana commonly found in northern Brazil is also known as caffeine. Researchers or others have said that caffeine boost the effects of ephedrine and aspirin. Thus, combining the ECA stack together are greater than each ingredient alone. Green tea is another ingredient found in fat burners. A common ingredient found in most fat burning supplements is L-tyrosine which is a nonessential amino acid. L-tyrosine is also the precursor of several neurotransmitters that include L-dopa, dpamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. In addition, Cordyceps, yohimbe along with the others I’ve mentioned possesses the ability to simulate specific fat receptors such as the hips and buttock area for women.

I’ll now be discussing about our nervous system such as our autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS helps regulate blood pressure, hearts activity, movement and work in the stomach, intestine/salivary glands, secretion of insulin, and sexual functions. The ANS is subdivided into 2 components which are the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The SNS is a excitatory system which meditates the body response to activity, stress, danger which includes increased heart rate, constriction of arterioles in skin, digestive system, and inhibition of digestive functions. The PNS is an inhibitory system which has a decreased heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, etc. As we can tell our bodies are very complex involving our hormones and neurotransmitters. Imagine this is only a small percentage of what is being addressed on how our body functions. Consider our body similar to a car. I would like to think of my body like an Audi R8 (by the way, my favorite car!) which allows us to excel in every aspect such as acceleration, cornering, speed, etc. Then you sneak a peek to see what is under that hood, it is quite complicated and sophisticated appreciating what it takes for this car to perform.

Within the SNS has a chemical called catecholamines which checks the level in your blood. It is a hormone produced by the adrenal glads found at the top of the kidneys releasing blood during physical or emotional stress. This is the process when you are grasping for air doing 5-20 minutes of jogging depending on your physical conditioning. The fat burners work a few different ways: first thing, we understand fat burners assist the body to break down body fat which involves releasing it from fat cell. It then enters the bloodstream as fatty acids to be transported to the muscle cells where it is burned. Secondly, fat burners will tend to suppress our appetite. As discussed prior, many of our hormones and neurotransmitters are involved. Last, weight loss is inhibiting the body from absorbing fat during digestion. Fat blockers do not work if that person isn’t eating fat in her/his diet. They also wont prevent weight gain if a person is overeating protein or carbohydrates. Of course the negative side effects we may consider taking these fat burners are digestion, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, interference with other medications such as birth control pills, estrogen, decreased appetite, stress, teeth grinding, muscle fatigue, alarming incidents of death, and possible long term effects we are not aware yet.

So it is apparent that fat burners are effective. Indeed the public is becoming more knowledgeable these days with products but why do more people only rely on fat burners to lose weight and discontinue their routine with exercising and eating right? Would it not be more effective with a monitored diet and exercise program? In my opinion, this is where most people go wrong and individuals truly convince they have a slow metabolism so they will only use the fat burner and not exercise. My point is that if people do decide to use fat burners, it is only 1 portion of the equation of maximizing your results. Also, we should be careful of what we put into our system by researching and understanding the product. Sometimes we have to think of the short and long term effects of anything we do in life. So, next time you make a decision think of the long term consequences rather than the immediate benefits.

Tea is one of the world’s second most popular beverage (after water), but most Americans consider it a poor second to coffee as a caffeine-laced pick-me-up or after-meal beverage. Recently, however, tea has gained new popularity, in part because of its medicinal value. A cup of tea contains only about half as much caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee, and many people prefer its taste and consider its buzz less jarring.

Cancer. Studies suggest that chemicals known as polyphenols in tea help prevent cancer. Researchers compared the diets of 900 people with esophageal cancer with those of 1,500 who did not have the cancer. The people with cancer drank significantly less green tea. The more green tea, the less cancer. In addition, green tea was added to the drinking water of experimental mice and then exposed them to chemicals known to cause a variety of tumors in rodents. The mice who drank the green-tea-laced water developed considerably fewer tumors than the mice who drank plain water. These studies prompted headlines proclaiming “Green Tea Prevents Cancer.” Unfortunately, few Americans drink green tea outside of Asian restaurants; most Americans drink black tea. It has the similar effect too.

Tooth Decay. Tea is a good source of fluoride, which prevents tooth decay. Both green and black teas contain more fluoride than fluoridated water. The tannins in tea also help fight the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Osteoporosis. Tea is a good source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that helps preserve bone.

Colds, Congestion And Asthma. As with coffee, the caffeine in tea eases breathing by opening the bronchial passages. Tea also contains another stimulant, theophylline. Physicians often prescribe pharmaceutical theophylline preparations to treat asthma.

Heart Attack. Men whose diets are rich in polyphenols have an unusually low risk of heart attack. Subsequent diet surveys showed that the heart-healthy Hollanders obtained some of their polyphenols from apples and onions but got a whopping 61 percent from black tea.

Diarrhea. Tea contains astringent tannins. Ancient Chinese physicians valued tea’s mild astringency for treatment of diarrhea. Today’s doctors agree, since mild astringents are widely used to treat diarrhea. Leading home medical guides suggest treating diarrhea with the BRATT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and tea.

“Its goodness is for the mouth to make,” Lu Yu wrote in the first ever annals of tea drinking, called Cha Jing or the Art of Tea. But sometimes, it really pays to match the kind of Asian black tea set that you use with the tea type you’re drinking.

For instance, many people say that for China black teas or China green teas, a Chinese Yixing teapot is the best. You see, Yixing teapots are made from unglazed clay, and that’s why teas drank from such teapots taste better because the flavor is fully preserved.

So if you want to savor the taste of your tea and experience the different subtle variations of black tea, the kind of Asian black tea set you use matters.

Below are a few good shops where you can look for the perfect Asian black tea sets.

KitchenKapers

At KitchenKapers, you can find an elegant-looking, white-colored Asian black tea set - the Joyce Chen Time for Tea Set - Black 90 5100. The teapot has an authentic side-handle to make it easier for you to pour in a manner reminiscent of elaborate tea ceremonies and matching Asian black tea set cups that will any hour tea time.

This Asian black tea set is stoneware that is microwave and dishwasher safe. It consists of 5 pieces, including one side-handle 20 oz. teapot and four 4 oz. handle-less tea cups.

BluemoonTea

Yixing teapots have the unique ability to absorb the tea flavor with continued sausage. What’s more, the fired clay of Yixing teapots contains tiny air pockets which provide insulation for enhanced taste and aroma of fine teas.

The BluemoonTea website offers a fine collection of Yixing teapots and Asian black tea sets, including Empire teapot, Bamboo teapot, Beijing Era Teapot, and the Emerald Zen Yixing. For their Asian black tea set collection. BluemoonTea also offers White Bamboo on Blue Tea Cup with Infuser, Forest Rose Tea Cup with Infuser, Lotus Tea Cup with Infuser, Sage Floral Covered Bowl, Spring Teapot Set, and Red Blossom Tea Set.

SensationalTeas

The Japanese have used Tetsubin teapots for centuries to brew their finest teas and add artistic elegance to their household as well. Each Tetsubin teapot at SensationalTeas is hand cast, as well as hand finished, and fitted with a stainless steel mesh infuser basket.

As part of their wide collection of Asia black tea sets, SensationalTeas offers the Large Hira which is a stunningly elegant, and very rare, large capacity Tetsubin Hira. The teapot can hold 40 oz. and comes 5-7 cups all covered with elegant charcoal black exterior and a distinctive “hob nail” design. To complete the look, this Asian black tea set is lightly washed with a touch of brown, giving it a gorgeous antiqued appearance.

Another unique Asian black tea set at SensationalTeas is the 35 oz. Wabi. The Japanese find great beauty in simple design and the Wabi is a wonderful example. Its cocoa brown exterior has a pleasant orange peel texture and a squared off top that’s distinctive, setting itself apart from a standard round teapot.

Oolong means “black dragon.” So when someone talks to you about black dragon tea, don’t immediately conclude that he’s talking about the rich and flavorful Chinese black tea you’re used to. Chances are he’s actually referring to the more delicate but equally flavorful oolong tea.

Because of the way black dragon tea is processed, it is sometimes called partially fermented tea or semi-green tea. It is a tea that combines some of the best qualities of both black and green tea.

If you value green tea for its delicate taste and health benefits, then you are sure to find that black dragon tea is just as delicate but with a characteristic fruity taste commonly associated with fully fermented black tea. But if you prefer a slightly less aromatic version of black tea, then black dragon tea may well suit your palate.

How Black Dragon Tea is Produced

Made from the partially oxidized leaf of the Camellia sinensis, the plant where all tea types come from, the leaves used in making black dragon tea range in size from young to fully mature. Often, black dragon tea is baked or roasted after being fully dried to produce a mellower but richer flavor.

Traditional oolong teas come from China and are oxidized and roasted, producing a darker, strong tea. These include Tie Guan Yin or the “Iron Goddess”; Fuo Shou or the “Buddha Hand”; and Monkey-Picked, and Wu Yi Oolong.

Next to China, black dragon tea is also quite popular in Taiwan where it is produced in great numbers. Taiwan black dragon tea are highly esteemed for their smooth flavor which they say is achieved through the use of fully mature, new-growth, and hand-picked leaves which are only slightly oxidized before being tightly rolled and dried. The method actually makes a tea that is very close to green tea, but with a much more complex, intriguing, and rich flavor that could only be ascribed to the black dragon tea or oolong.

Taiwan high mountain oolong is typically left unroasted, whereas Dongding oolong undergoes carefully attended, long, slow roasting at low temperatures to produce a richer brew. Other types of specialty black dragon teas that require unique cultivation methods include Oriental Beauty and Baihao oolong.

What a Cup of Oolong Means

Asian culture has become increasingly integrated into Western society in an aspect more profound than the ubiquitous presence of Asian cuisine. I’m talking about more than anime, feng shui, and oriental medicine here. I’m talking about a rich cultural influence that continues to pervade modern society today. I’m talking tea, my dear, and not just any tea.

The current trend of tea has inspired many Western scientists today to search for scientific evidence that attests to how tea promotes health. Most of the studies came up with the following astounding conclusions:

* Lowers blood cholesterol

* Reduces oxidation

* Kills influenza virus

* Inhibits increase in blood pressure

* Reduces tumor growth

* Reduces mutations

* Inhibits increase of blood sugar

* Fights carcinogenic bacteria

* Prevents halitosis

* Increases mental acuity

And much, much more! Who knew a cup of black dragon tea could do so much?

Black tea has always been an all-time favorite. With its uniquely distinctive taste (both aromatic and flavorful), black tea certainly has a way with getting under your taste buds. To make black tea’s taste even more stimulating, a lot of people have tried experimenting with its flavor. As a result, flavored black tea was created, and one of the most popular varieties of flavored black tea turned out to be black rum tea.

What is Black Rum Tea?

Black rum tea is exactly what its name suggests. It is black tea combined with a bit of rum to make your tea experience more interesting. Black tea has always been a favorite, especially in the U.S. market. Black rum tea combines all the distinct characteristics that make black tea so wonderful with another popular beverage - rum.

Below are our top picks for black rum tea:

StashTea - Jamaican Butter Rum Tea

The Jamaican butter black rum tea at StashTea is a fine blend of Ceylon, Indian, and Chinese black teas and combined them with natural rum, sweet butterscotch, and creamy caramel flavors. The result is a rich and aromatic black rum tea with a slightly sweet taste, perfect as a dessert tea. For a special taste treat, add a splash of milk and some sugar into your cup.

GlenbrookFarm - Caribbean Rum Tea

Another good brand of black rum tea is Glenbrook Farm’s Caribbean black rum tea. The black tea used is fine Assam, flavored with aromatic rum for that perfect tropical island hint in your cup of tea. Glenbrook Farm offers their Caribbean rum tea in 4 oz., 8 oz., or 16 oz.

Adagio - Rum Tea

Adaigo Teas has always been known to produce excellent quality tea. Now, with their new black rum tea, they offer you the perfect gourmet tea - premium black tea from China flavored with a spoonful of island rum. Adaigo’s rum tea is an intoxicating treat, not only because it has a dash of alcohol in it, but because the intensity of its flavors. If you like your black tea served with added flavors, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the superior flavor of Adaigo’s black rum tea.

UrbanTeaParty - Black Rum Tea

“No worries, ‘mon.” That’s exactly what UrbanTeaParty offers with their premium black tea from China flavored with a spoonful of tropical island rum. Offered at 4 oz., making ten cups, this black rum tea is intoxicating and soothing all at once.

CulinaryTeas - Buttered Black Rum Tea

CulinaryTeas offers their buttered black rum tea, using the following lines: “Aye matey, ever been to sea? Don’t forget this tea!” First discovered in 16th century England, the British navy adored rum because it was found to last longer than beer, which meant less spoilage, less waste, more happy hour for the sailor boy. Now, CulinaryTeas offers tea that is sure to remind you of how it was during the sailing days with their loose leaf tea and tea bag sachets.

Wellcat - Jamaican Rum Royal

Its name says it all. Wellcat Jamaican Rum Royal is an exciting black rum tea drink. A touch of rum gives your black tea a bolder and more exciting flavor. A dash of black tea gives your rum a unique taste. The Jamaican Rum Royal is both for the rum lover and the tea drinker.