Better balance the easy way!

We count on our sense of balance to protect us against falls and fractures. But it's a boon for more than our bones: Chinese research reveals that the better your balance, the more likely you are to be active on a regular basis. As a result, your risk of heart disease and stroke drops by up to 50%. Problem is, summer heat and hormonal changes can disrupt balance in women over 50. To the rescue: simple tips to stay steady on your feet

- Melissa Gotthardt

Sip your favorite type of tea

Green or black, hot or iced—no matter how you prefer your tea, drinking it daily could make you more surefooted. Scientists reporting in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging found that people who drank three 8-oz. servings of green or black tea per day scored better on tests of balance and stability than those who rarely drank the brews. Credit goes to anti-inflammatory compounds such as catechins, theaflavins and thearubigins in both types of tea, which fight nerve damage and muscle weakness that can worsen balance over time.

Carve out time for tai chi