jon's reusable bag

What’s In Jon’s Reusable Bag? #1

So for the more social media aware, you may have seen a trend on YouTube going around called “what’s in my bag?”. In video form, YouTubers give us in insight into their essentials and new finds which they have been carrying around in their handbags.

But instead of smartphones or lipstick, here at Onya, we thought we’d give you an insight into jon’s reusable bag which includes some of the new healthy eating trends that have earned certain products a space in our reusable shopping bags!

This week, we’ll take a look at why Onya founder Jon is loving apples.

Apples

An apple a day... may keep cancer away?An apple a day… may keep cancer away?

We all know the old saying how an apple a day could keep the doctor away. While this was perhaps invented to encourage kids into eating more fruit, new research on the humble apple has come to light on its incredible properties. Traditionally, one of the benefits of eating apples was the fibre found in the pectin content, which helps for healthy bowel movements.

Apples also contain quercetin, which is a plant pigment with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and is also found in green tea, according to Web MD.

In addition to tasting deliciously sweet and refreshing, findings from the Institute of Food Research (IFR) have provided new insight into the benefits of the polyphenols found in apples defending against cancer.

So what are polyphenols, you ask?

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition defines polyphenols as micronutrients in our diet which can contribute towards fighting degenerative diseases. In the IFR study, polyphenols in apples and green tea were shown to hinder a process critical to cancer progression called angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis (say that three times fast) is actually a natural process triggered by the VEGF molecule, where our body forms new blood vessels to help repair injuries and aid in muscle recovery after exercise.

By blocking the signalling of the VEGF molecule, polyphenols in apples and green tea appear to inhibit blood vessel production which would nourish cancerous cells and malignant tumours.

You might want a moment to sit back and process that. By popping apples into your produce bag, not only do you have a healthy, refreshing snack, you may be helping your body defend against cancer.

Green tea

Green tea gets the green light from health specialists. Green tea gets the green light from health specialists.

If there’s one beverage (apart from water, of course) synonymous with health, it’s got to be green tea. The latest discovery from the IFR also applies to to polyphenols found in green tea, so go get the kettle on!

Green tea, with its renowned medicinal properties has featured prominently in Asian cultures for thousands of years, but now drinking the earthy, refreshing beverage is a practice which has spread across the world. One of the particular qualities of green tea are something known as catechins – antioxidants which have been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease, as reported by UC Davis.

“It’s the healthiest thing I can think of to drink,” nutrition researcher Dr Christopher Ochner told Web MD. “All things being equal, if you sub 1-2 cups of green tea for one can of soda, over the next year you’d save over 50,000 calories.”

As Web MD also reports, green tea has been linked to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure – the health site recommends waiting for the water to cool down a little before steeping the tea, rather than using boiling water for the best catechin potency.

Green tea is a fantastic beverage to introduce to your diet, and can be drunk hot, or cooled and stored in your Onya BPA free drink bottle. For more tea ideas, you can check out our blog post.

So what’s going to be in your reusable shopping bag the next time you do the grocery run? Apples and green tea are certainly strong contenders!

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