If you are one of the estimated 164 million US citizens that enjoys tea every day, you are obviously in good company. The most common types of caffeinated teas are black, green and oolong, with chamomile and peppermint as the leading herbal teas. Perhaps such a large number of people are enjoying tea not for the taste but for the amazing health benefits tea offers.
Health benefits of drinking tea
Tea has a variety of medicinal benefits; which people have been taking advantage of for thousands of years. The Camellia sinensis plant is the plant from which all of the 3,000 different varieties of tea are derived. If you are sick, stressed or feeling sluggish, tea can help you begin to feel better, relax and perk up with your favorite type. From black to green, caffeinated to decaf, hot or cold, there is a favorite for everyone. Here are some of the main reasons to drink more tea:
Drink Tea for Reduction in Risk of Diseases
Tea is full of polyphenols, a natural antioxidant that has been found to reduce the risk of many diseases. Antioxidants slow and/or prevent damage to the body’s cells caused by its environment. Green tea is the variety that offers the most antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in both caffeinated and herbal teas.
Drink Tea for your Metabolism
Certain teas with high polyphenols have been shown to increase the body’s expenditure of calories, thereby reducing body fat over time, and improve the metabolism.
Drink Tea for Weight Management & Weight Loss
The same polyphenols which are found to reduce disease risks are also suggested to assist with weight loss. Research is lacking, but tea has been shown to have minimal weight loss results, in addition to eating healthy and exercising. Tea can support your efforts to work out by boosting your metabolism and preventing fat storage. Lab trials of green tea has shown the digestive benefits, and this may be due to the antioxidant powers, which encourages your body to burn calories
Drink Tea for Cardiac Health
Tea has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and improve heart health in those who drink tea regularly. Tea may also be responsible for lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. In a recent study, more benefit was seen in those who drank three to four cups a day – up to a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular death – versus one cup or no cups.
Drink Tea to Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Researches are evaluating the role tea may have related to diabetes and keeping blood sugar in check. Diabetes is a growing health concern, in both adults and children; Besides a poor quality of life, those with diabetes are at risk of health complications and death. Recent research on black tea has suggests it can help prevent significant increases in blood sugar, because of the role antioxidants play in regulating glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. While more research must be done, it certainly cannot hurt to enjoy a cup of tea along with your favorite meal. Early findings have shown spearmint and chamomile teas may play a role in regulating blood sugar levels.
Drink Tea for Hydration
Perhaps an obvious benefit, but tea, created with water, keeps you hydrated. When many people need to up their daily water intake, they reach for tea to have water, but with the additional great taste and health benefits. While it is true caffeinated beverages will cause the kidneys to flush extra sodium and water through the body, drinking caffeinated tea does not cause you to become dehydrated; Your body absorbs the fluid it needs and expels the rest.
Drink Tea for Oral Health
Researchers now suggest that routine intake of green tea can improve oral health, by having a positive effect on teeth and gums, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease and halitosis (bad breath), when drank in addition to brushing and flossing.
Drink Tea to Combat Inflammation
The antioxidant polyphenols found in most teas are powerful inflammation fighters. For those with inflammation-driven diseases, tea can become a powerful tool.
Drink Tea for Your Brain
Tea consumption, recent studies have shown, may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Tea can improve cognitive functioning, boost memory and increase attention span, while improving reaction time and information processing.
Drink Tea for Fertility
The polyphenols in tea have been discovered to have possible anti-inflammatory effects, which suggests tea can decrease oxidative stress in human reproductive tissues and improve fertility. The study was in both men and women.
Drink Tea for Gut Health
Besides fiber and probiotics, tea has been found to benefit gut health. Some of the positive outcomes have been reduced carbohydrate absorption, steady blood sugar levels, and even weight loss.
Too Much Tea
Of all the positive health benefits that can come from drinking tea, can too much tea be a bad thing? Just as the old adage goes, “too much of a good thing”, too much of anything great can be not so great if used in overabundance. One risk of too much tea is a caffeine overload. Non-decaf teas are caffeinated, and too much caffeine can lead to nervousness, dizziness, restlessness, can disrupt or inhibit sleep, cause nausea, abdominal discomfort, heartburn, and more. Check the number of milligrams on your box or bag of tea and make sure your daily intake does not exceed 400 milligrams. This is most likely up to 5-6 cups for most people. White, green and oolong teas have the lowest caffeine count; whereas black tea has the highest caffeine count. A related risk is that caffeine can reduce iron absorption; Anemics and vegans or vegetarians should be careful with consumption of too much tea. Another risk that can come from teas is allergies to some of the herbs; always check ingredients if you have a known allergy.
Sip Tea for Your Health
So, sit down and enjoy a nice cup of tea every day. Enjoy white, green, black, oolong, pu’erh or any of the sub varieties, try it bagged or loose, steep it for a few minutes, and enjoy all the health benefits tea can offer your body. There are so many varieties, you could try a different type every day for eight years. So many teas, so many benefits!
