Latest news with #Caroll
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hilarious moment Yorkshire grandmother tries matcha for the first time - and gives a very brutal assessment
This is the hilarious moment a grandmother tried matcha for the first time - and was less than impressed. Caroll from Yorkshire declared the drink a 'waste of b****y money' after being offered to try a sip from her granddaughter's iced beverage. Matcha - a form of powdered green tea whisked and mixed with milk to make a latte - has become Gen Z's drink of choice. The trendy health drink has become popular with teenagers and young adults after being promoted by social media influencers - to the extent that Japan has started to see shortages. In the video, posted on TikTok, Caroll immediately could not hide her disgust, going 'Oh, oh!' as she tried the disagreeable flavour. When her granddaughter, who was filming, said the drink wasn't 'bad', Caroll didn't hold back as she gave it a brutal assessment. 'It is bad, it's horrible,' she exclaimed, looking at the green drink beside her in disdain. 'And when you look at it, it looks as though somebody's puked in there. It's right weak!' 'I don't get you young'uns,' she added in the video caption. 'A proper diva wants a cuppa with six sugars, a good stir and a cig in me hand.' The video has gone viral on social media, racking up more than 700,000 views. And it appeared most people were in agreement, as one wrote: 'Matcha is disgusting.' A second added: 'Proof that hype distorts your tastebuds, that was a purely unbiased opinion.' 'Confirmed for me Matcha fans are basically gaslighting us into thinking it's nice,' commented a third, while another added: 'She's so real about matcha it's like dirt.' One person said: 'Her smacking her lips at the bitterness of the matcha has me cracking.' For another, the video brought back a fond memory, writing: 'Haven't had my Nan since I was 13 but this is exactly how she would react, just the east London version. thank you for the laugh.' The tea, made from the finely ground powder of green tea leaves specially grown in shade, has been loved by Japan in particular since the 12th century when Buddhist monks introduced the nation to it. Over the past decade, production has nearly tripled, with Japan producing 4,176 tonnes of matcha in 2023. Consumption of the antioxidant-rich green tea 'reached a record high last year', according to Fumi Ueki, the chief of one of Japan's largest tea companies. And soaring demand, largely driven by online trends, has prompted warning of further shortages this year. Major influencers like Sophie Habboo and Kourtney Kardashian have espoused the benefits of matcha. Matcha tea is made by combining fine matcha powder and hot water with a special matcha whisk, which is used to form a creamy foam that sits on the tea. Proponents say the tea can boost the brain's health, due to its high concentration of polyphenols, chlorophyll, caffeine and L-theanine. The demand largely comes from outside Japan - while matcha and leaf green-tea consumption has fallen inside the country, global sales are expected to nearly double from £2.2bn in 2023 to £3.9bn by 2028. In the past year alone, sales of matcha products have doubled in the UK. The arrival of the US cafe Blank Street to Britain's high streets in 2020 is thought to have led to a surge in the popularity here, with its range of matcha teas combined with other flavours such as blueberry and white chocolate. What are the health benefits of matcha? - Rich in protective polyphenols - Boosts brain health, function and alertness - May relieve stress - Can support healthy heart and lungs - May be good for bone health - Can aid weight management - Can balance blood glucose - May improve gut health The spike in demand has become such a problem that last year two of Japan's biggest tea companies, Ippodo and Marukyu Koyamaen, announced unprecedented purchase limits on matcha products. But mounting evidence suggests too much can trigger iron deficiency. Left untreated, this can raise the risk of severe infections as well as life-threatening heart failure. Iron, found in red meat and a variety of vegetables, is crucial for the production of red blood cells, which transport oxygen to the organs. It is also vital for a healthy immune system. Experts now say that drinking just one matcha tea a day could cause problems. Research suggests teenage girls, pregnant and post-menopausal women are at the highest risk of a matcha-related iron deficiency. 'People need to be aware of the potential risks of this drink,' says Dr Jeannine Baumgartner, an expert in nutrition and researcher at King's College London, who has studied matcha. 'There is a real danger of a deficiency, particularly for younger women who have higher iron needs. It has long been known that green tea can, in some cases, trigger an iron deficiency. This is because it contains high levels of tannins – a compound which gives tea its bitter flavour. Research shows that tannins attach to iron molecules in the digestive system and prevent them from being absorbed. A major review of over 150 studies in 2010 published by the Journal of Chinese Medicine found that consumption of more than three cups of regular green tea a day reduced iron absorption. However, it is believed that matcha has an even greater effect, as one cup has nearly seven times as many tannins as a similarly sized green tea. As well as the tannins, caffeine has also been shown to reduce iron absorption and, per gram, matcha can contain up to four times as much caffeine as coffee. Experts say this means that even one matcha a day could have health impacts. 'Matcha is much more problematic than green tea, as it is more concentrated so affects iron absorption even more,' says Prof Baumgartner. 'Even one cup, if it is poorly timed, either during or up to two hours after a meal, will affect your iron levels.' Iron deficiency is already a problem. Three per cent of men and 8 per cent of women in the UK have the iron deficiency condition anaemia, and it is on the rise. Symptoms include a yellowing of the skin, dizziness and depression. Last year there was a tenfold rise in the number of people hospitalised with iron deficiency, with nearly 200,000 being admitted. But there are steps that matcha drinkers can take to protect themselves against this complication. 'If you add milk or lemon juice, it can neutralise the tannins, which can help with iron absorption,' says Sarah Carolides, a London based nutritionist. 'It's also best to avoid using oat milk in your matcha latte as oats contain phytates, an acid which can also interfere with iron absorption.' Timing is key for those considering a cup of green tea. Prof Baumgartner recommends against drinking matcha within three hours before or after a meal. A 1983 study revealed a cup of green tea while eating a hamburger meal reduced iron consumption by 68 per cent. As drinking habits change experts are calling for the guidelines to doctors looking out for iron deficiency to be updated. 'Doctors and GPs are not aware of the link between drinks and iron absorption and that really needs to change,' says Prof Baumgartner.
Malaysian Reserve
05-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Free summer fitness program helps teens across Canada build lifelong healthy habits
GoodLife celebrates 15 years of Teen Fitness, welcoming teens aged 12-17 to all 200 gyms LONDON, ON, May 5, 2025 /CNW/ – When Caroll Ianculescu of Pickering, Ontario joined GoodLife's Teen Fitness program 10 years ago, it was her first time in a gym. Today, Caroll says the program sparked her love for fitness and set her on a path of active living and helping others discover the joy of exercise. 'I loved the sense of community and achievement that working out brought me; I still do. Teen Fitness gave me a place where I could challenge myself and grow. I met people my age who became lifelong friends that I still see at the gym today. It's become my passion, my community and my career.' Caroll is now a certified fitness instructor, holistic nutritionist and a GoodLife divisional manager, leading gyms across Ontario. As GoodLife celebrates the 15th anniversary of Teen Fitness, the national program has now helped generations of teens in Canada complete over 10 million free workouts, introducing them to fitness and helping them build healthy habits early on. Today, the program is led by former Teen Fitness participants like Caroll, who went on to become lifelong exercisers and integral members of the GoodLife team. 'Over the years, we've had the incredible privilege of seeing how the Teen Fitness program can impact people long-term, creating positive relationships with exercise that can last a lifetime,' said Tracy Matthews, senior vice president of experience and safety, GoodLife Fitness. 'A lot of teens find their groove in this program; they discover what they love about movement, and they rejoin every summer. Many keep working out for years after, developing their own long-term fitness routines. We're even lucky enough to work with some former participants who went on to pursue fitness as a career and are now part of the GoodLife team, passing their experiences on to the next generation of Teen Fitness members.' This summer, GoodLife will open its doors to anyone between the ages of 12 and 17. Participants will have access to nearly 200 GoodLife Fitness gyms across Canada from July 3 to September 2, seven days a week, for free. Registration opens June 2 at Teens can use most of the gym equipment, including strength training and cardio machines, kettlebells and TRX trainers. On the GoodLife app, dozens of digital workouts are available for guided movement sessions at home or in the gym. Teens can also join in-person group fitness classes with great music and certified instructors leading everything from spin to kickboxing or yoga. Rajan Sharma (age 21) who joined GoodLife Teen Fitness at 13 years old, says that the group fitness classes he attended as a youth helped ignite a passion for dance and fitness that still drives him today. 'I look forward to Teen Fitness every year,' said Sharma, who now works as a motivator at GoodLife's Ottawa St Laurent Centre location. 'When I joined the program, the guidance and support of the GoodLife staff changed my life. They gave me confidence and strength. Now, it's an honour for me to support the Teen Fitness program myself and help inspire more teens on their fitness journeys, just as GoodLife has inspired mine.' About Teen FitnessGoodLife launched the Teen Fitness program with a mission to reduce barriers to fitness and give young people more opportunities to get active. Teen Fitness members have access to GoodLife locations across Canada seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last check-in time for Teen Fitness Members is 3 p.m., and teens can work out for up to two hours per day. Program participants will have access to: Free workouts during dedicated workout floor hours with GoodLife Fitness experts available to provide tours and additional information to help teens get started. Gym equipment including machines, free weights, TRX suspension trainers, and Turf Zones. An On-Demand digital workout catalogue, including Teen Fitness options. In-person group fitness classes including exclusive Les Mills training programs. Find out more at GoodLife Teen Fitness. About GoodLife FitnessGoodLife Fitness started in 1979 in London, ON, and has since grown to become one of the largest chains of fitness clubs in Canada and the fourth largest in the world. Founder and CEO David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans started the business with one purpose…to give everyone in Canada the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life. A membership to GoodLife Fitness gives access to clubs, amenities and virtual workouts that help to achieve this purpose. With hundreds of clubs from coast-to-coast, the GoodLife team is helping to transform the health and fitness of people across Canada every day.
Cision Canada
05-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Free summer fitness program helps teens across Canada build lifelong healthy habits
GoodLife celebrates 15 years of Teen Fitness, welcoming teens aged 12-17 to all 200 gyms LONDON, ON, May 5, 2025 /CNW/ - When Caroll Ianculescu of Pickering, Ontario joined GoodLife's Teen Fitness program 10 years ago, it was her first time in a gym. Today, Caroll says the program sparked her love for fitness and set her on a path of active living and helping others discover the joy of exercise. "I loved the sense of community and achievement that working out brought me; I still do. Teen Fitness gave me a place where I could challenge myself and grow. I met people my age who became lifelong friends that I still see at the gym today. It's become my passion, my community and my career." Caroll is now a certified fitness instructor, holistic nutritionist and a GoodLife divisional manager, leading gyms across Ontario. As GoodLife celebrates the 15 th anniversary of Teen Fitness, the national program has now helped generations of teens in Canada complete over 10 million free workouts, introducing them to fitness and helping them build healthy habits early on. Today, the program is led by former Teen Fitness participants like Caroll, who went on to become lifelong exercisers and integral members of the GoodLife team. "Over the years, we've had the incredible privilege of seeing how the Teen Fitness program can impact people long-term, creating positive relationships with exercise that can last a lifetime," said Tracy Matthews, senior vice president of experience and safety, GoodLife Fitness. "A lot of teens find their groove in this program; they discover what they love about movement, and they rejoin every summer. Many keep working out for years after, developing their own long-term fitness routines. We're even lucky enough to work with some former participants who went on to pursue fitness as a career and are now part of the GoodLife team, passing their experiences on to the next generation of Teen Fitness members." This summer, GoodLife will open its doors to anyone between the ages of 12 and 17. Participants will have access to nearly 200 GoodLife Fitness gyms across Canada from July 3 to September 2, seven days a week, for free. Registration opens June 2 at Teens can use most of the gym equipment, including strength training and cardio machines, kettlebells and TRX trainers. On the GoodLife app, dozens of digital workouts are available for guided movement sessions at home or in the gym. Teens can also join in-person group fitness classes with great music and certified instructors leading everything from spin to kickboxing or yoga. Rajan Sharma (age 21) who joined GoodLife Teen Fitness at 13 years old, says that the group fitness classes he attended as a youth helped ignite a passion for dance and fitness that still drives him today. "I look forward to Teen Fitness every year," said Sharma, who now works as a motivator at GoodLife's Ottawa St Laurent Centre location. "When I joined the program, the guidance and support of the GoodLife staff changed my life. They gave me confidence and strength. Now, it's an honour for me to support the Teen Fitness program myself and help inspire more teens on their fitness journeys, just as GoodLife has inspired mine." About Teen Fitness GoodLife launched the Teen Fitness program with a mission to reduce barriers to fitness and give young people more opportunities to get active. Teen Fitness members have access to GoodLife locations across Canada seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last check-in time for Teen Fitness Members is 3 p.m., and teens can work out for up to two hours per day. Program participants will have access to: Free workouts during dedicated workout floor hours with GoodLife Fitness experts available to provide tours and additional information to help teens get started. Gym equipment including machines, free weights, TRX suspension trainers, and Turf Zones. An On-Demand digital workout catalogue, including Teen Fitness options. In-person group fitness classes including exclusive Les Mills training programs. Find out more at GoodLife Teen Fitness. About GoodLife Fitness GoodLife Fitness started in 1979 in London, ON, and has since grown to become one of the largest chains of fitness clubs in Canada and the fourth largest in the world. Founder and CEO David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans started the business with one purpose…to give everyone in Canada the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life. A membership to GoodLife Fitness gives access to clubs, amenities and virtual workouts that help to achieve this purpose. With hundreds of clubs from coast-to-coast, the GoodLife team is helping to transform the health and fitness of people across Canada every day.
