What Are The Health Benefits of Tea?
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People all over the world have been drinking tea for thousands of centuries, and for good reason. Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease.
While some brews provide more health advantages than others, there’s plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.
Put the kettle on, because we’re sharing some of the biggest benefits hidden in the world’s most popular teas.
White Tea
This tea comes from the camellia sinesis plant that’s native to India and China. White tea is the least processed tea variety and has a delicate flavor.
White tea is the most effective tea in fighting various forms of cancer due to the presence of high levels of antioxidants. It contains a high source of fluoride, tannins, and catechins, which helps in strengthening teeth and fighting plaque. Also, this variety of teas offers the least amount of caffeine, making it a better choice for tea drinkers who want to limit or avoid their caffeine consumption.
Black Tea
This tea is made from the camellia Sinensis plant’s leaves, the same plant used to make white tea. However, in black tea, the leaves are dried and fermented, which gives the tea a richer flavor and darker color.
Black tea is caffeinated. So, unlike many other varieties, it’s important to monitor the tea’s intake. Black tea helps in benefitting from flavonoids that fight inflammation and also support healthy immune function. Besides drinking, black tea offers other healthy properties as well if steamed, cooled, and then pressed on minor cuts, bruises, and scrapes to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Moreover, a black tea bath can ease conditions such as poison ivy and inflammation caused by skin rashes.
Herbal Tea Benefits
Herbal teas, sometimes called tisanes, are very similar to white teas, but they contain a blend of herbs, spices, fruits or other plants in addition to tea leaves. Herbal teas don’t contain caffeine, which is why they’re known for their calming properties.
There are numerous types of herbal teas, all with their unique benefits. Some of the most popular herbal teas include:
Chamomile tea – Helps to reduce menstrual pain and muscle spasms improve sleep and relaxation, and reduce stress
Rooibos – Improves blood pressure and circulation, boosts good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol, keeps hair strong and skin healthy, and provides relief from allergies
Peppermint – Contains menthol, which can soothe an upset stomach and serve as a cure for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and motion sickness. This tea variety also offers pain relief from tension headaches and migraines.
Ginger – Helps to fight against morning sickness, can be used to treat chronic indigestion, and helps to relieve joint pain caused by osteoarthritis
Hibiscus – Lowers blood pressure and fat levels, improves overall liver health, can starve off cravings for unhealthy sweets, and may prevent the formation of kidney stones
Green Tea
Green tea is touted to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet.
It’s loaded with antioxidants that have many health benefits, which may include:
* improved brain function
* fat loss
* protecting against cancer
* lowering the risk of heart disease
There may be even more potential health benefits.
Contains healthy bioactive compounds
Green tea is more than just a hydrating beverage.
The green tea plant contains a range of healthy compounds that make it into the final drink
Tea is rich in polyphenols, which are natural compounds that have health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and helping to fight cancer.
Improves brain function
Green tea does more than just keep you alert, it may also help boost brain function.
The key active ingredient is caffeine, which is a known stimulant.
It doesn’t contain as much as coffee, but enough to produce a response without causing the jittery effects associated with taking in too much caffeine.
L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which has anti-anxiety effects. It also increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain.
Studies show that caffeine and L-theanine can have synergistic effects. This means that the combination of the two can have particularly powerful effects in improving brain function.
Increases fat burning
If you look at the ingredients list for any fat-burning supplement, chances are, green tea will be on there.
This is because, according to research, green tea can increase fat burning and boost metabolic rate.
In one study involving 10 healthy men, taking green tea extract increased the number of calories burned by 4%. In another involving 12 healthy men, green tea extract increased fat oxidation by 17%, compared with those taking a placebo.
Antioxidants lower the risk of some cancers
Cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells. It’s one of the world’s leading causes of death.
Research has shown that oxidative damage can lead to chronic inflammation, which can lead to chronic diseases, including cancers. Antioxidants can help protect against oxidative damage.
May protect the brain from aging
Not only can green tea improve brain function in the short term, it may also protect your brain as you age.
Alzheimer’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia in older adults.
Parkinson’s disease is another common neurodegenerative disease and involves the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
May help prevent type 2 diabetes
The rates of type 2 diabetes are increasing in recent decades. The condition now affects about 1 in 10 Americans.
Type 2 diabetes involves having elevated blood sugar levels, which may be caused by insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin.
Oolong Tea Benefits
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea variety that’s made from the same plant used to make green and black teas. The difference is how the tea is processed: Green tea is not allowed to oxidize much, but black tea is allowed to oxidize until it turns black. Oolong tea is somewhere in between the two, so it is partially oxidized. This partial oxidation is responsible for oolong tea's color and characteristic taste.
Oolong tea is notable for containing l-theanine, an amino acid that reduces anxiety and increases alertness and attention. Scientists have found that l-theanine can help prevent cognitive diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Oolong tea is also high in polyphenols, which are linked to lowering inflammation, preventing the growth of cancers, and decreasing type 2 diabetes risk.
