Drink Tea, It's Good for Your Health
Tea …
“an indispensable ingredient in the elixir of life because of its important contribution to our longevity and health.” Author Unknown
Tea has been a favorite beverage worldwide for thousands of years and was introduced to the US in the 1600’s. A hot cup of tea on a rainy day can chase the chills away and a pot of tea shared among friends can lend an air of enchantment to any afternoon. But more than that, tea and other herbal beverages can help boost your general sense of health and well-being. The different types of teas and different ways they are consumed makes it a highly diverse and enjoyable drinks.
Worldwide, tea is the most widely consumed beverage. With such a high level of popularity, a lot of research has followed looking at the effect tea has on the body. This research has led to a number of health benefits being discovered about tea. According to thedoctorwillseeyounow.com, tea drinkers experience more health benefits than nondrinkers when they incorporate drinking it on a regular basis. A French study between 2001 and 2008 of more than 130,000 people aged 18 to 95 found that drinking tea reduced the risk of non-cardiovascular (non-CV) mortality by 24 percent. The study, presented at the annual European Society of Cardiology meeting, revealed that tea's antioxidants may provide survival benefits.
It’s bioactive compounds like polyphenols-flavonoids-catechins are thought to be responsible for the health benefits that have traditionally been attributed to the tea. Tea is reported to contain nearly 4000 bioactive compounds of which one third is contributed by polyphenols. Other compounds are alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline and theobromine), amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins, chlorophyll, volatile organic compounds (chemicals that readily produce vapors and contribute to the aroma of tea), fluoride, aluminum, minerals, and trace elements. Polyphenols found in tea are mostly flavonoids and these compounds have multi-dimensional effects such as antibacterial action, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory benefits.
General Tea Facts
There are lots of different types of teas. Each type has a unique taste and unique health benefits. Before looking at the general benefits of tea, I want to explain what tea is and what it isn’t. What is called “real tea” is made of leaves from the tea plant (Camellia Sinensis) and comes in five basic varieties of “real tea”: black, green, oolong, white, and fermented tea. “Herbal teas” are a blend of different parts of various other plants. Herbal teas are blended using the leaves, flowers, fruits, roots or bark of any one of hundreds of different plants or may be a mixture of several plants.
Types of Tea
Black Tea
Green Tea
Oolong Tea
White Tea
Fermented Tea
Herbal Tea – 0-5 mg of caffeine
A Few General Health Benefits of Drinking Tea
Overall Health
Slows the aging process
Helps you stay hydrated
Mental Health
Helps to create a calmer state of mind
Lowers your risk of cognitive impairment
Lowers stress hormone levels
Eases irritability, headaches, nervous tension and insomnia
Can cause temporary increase in short term memory
Soothes the digestive system
Fitness and Appearance
Helps to decrease tooth loss and periodontal disease
Boosts the metabolism and aid in weight loss
Helps keep skin acne-free