HEALTH - Health Benefits of Black Tea

Black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Its color and flavor are more intense than green tea because it undergoes more oxidation (exposure to air) during processing. This results in dark-colored tea leaves with a rich, malty taste.¹

There are many types of black tea, including Earl Grey, Assam, and Ceylon tea, which vary in flavor and color. Black tea contains several beneficial compounds, such as polyphenol antioxidants, and drinking it regularly may support overall health and protect against common health conditions like high blood pressure and cognitive decline.

May Protect Heart Health
Incorporating black tea into your diet may help reduce heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure.  

Black tea contains plant compounds, such as polyphenols, that help reduce blood vessel inflammation, inhibit smooth muscle contraction (excess contractions can increase blood pressure), and increase the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates (widens) blood vessels, improving blood flow.²

Research shows that drinking black tea may reduce blood pressure levels and protect against the development of high blood pressure. A review of 13 studies found that black tea supplementation significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to control treatments.
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YOUR MARRIAGE

20 Of The Funniest Tweets About Married Life

Marriage is full of highs, lows and a whole bunch of ordinary moments in between. Somehow the married people on X, formerly known as Twitter, continue to find humor in the minutiae of wedded life.

Every week, we round up the funniest marriage tweets on the platform. Read on for 20 relatable ones that will have you laughing in agreement.

Some of these are pretty funny ! Always better to Laugh

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FINANCE AND INVESTING TIPS FOR THE SANDWICH GENERATION

1 in 4 Americans in their 50s will become 'silver squatters' and need financial support from family in retirement

Among the 905 Americans (all aged 55) who were surveyed for the study, nearly a quarter (24%) report that they expect to need financial support from loved ones during their retirement years, while 21% say they will likely need housing assistance.

This news may come as a shock to the relatives of these Gen Xers, especially since nearly half of the respondents admitted they haven't yet broached the subject with their families.

The good news is that it's not time to call the moving truck just yet — as it turns out, Gen X may still be able to avoid relying on younger generations to survive their golden years.

Why becoming 'silver squatters' could be Gen X's fate

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YOUR KIDS

Don't stress about kids' screen time, leading pediatrician says

Don't get hysterical about your child's screen time or yank away their cellphone protectively, says Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician who runs a leading treatment program for kids with so-called "internet addictions" (a term he detests).

• Children will go through life with a smartphone, he points out — and it's important for the adults in their lives to teach them to use one wisely.

Why it matters: Amid calls to ban phones for children before high school and banish them from schools, Rich aims to inject a calming voice in the debate over kids, screens and social media.

• "There are lots of people who use these tools quite effectively, in ways that do enhance their humanity, education and connectedness," says Rich, who practices adolescent medicine at Boston Children's Hospital and calls himself the "Mediatrician."

Driving the news: In a new book, Rich argues for carving out "digital downtime" with (and for) your child, but warns: "Absolutes are not the answer."

• Most kids who fall into trouble with phones and screens suffer from one of four underlying conditions: ADHD, social anxiety, autism or depression, Rich says.

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CARING FOR PARENTS

What the Heck Is A Granny Pod?
And should you consider one?

When families are faced with finding a place for grandparents to live out their golden years, the options can be complicated. Full-service nursing homes can be costly and don't always make the most financial sense. The steep fees paired with the guilt some families feel about an aging loved one living alone often leads to Grandma or Grandpa moving in with their adult children. But if home size or lifestyle won't allow this arrangement, what next?

Enter the "granny pod." Also known as an in-law cottage or in-law apartment, these detached tiny homes allow grandparents to stay close to their loved ones, while still offering some privacy. It's often difficult for the elderly to give up their independence 100 percent, so this solution offers a balance—they still have a space to call their own, and the whole family has a certain peace of mind knowing they're just steps away if they need assistance—or to share that homemade cake recipe.

What Is a Granny Pod?

A granny pod is a modified 'guest house' that allows caregivers close proximity to aging loved ones. They are also called ADUs, or accessory dwelling units, and are designed with safety and accessibility top of mind (for example, slip-resistant floors, wide doorways, and rounded countertops). Some versions offer high-tech medical extras.
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YOUR JOB

13 Men on the Highs and Lows of the New Era of Paternity Leave

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