In Turkey, there is a saying: “If you share a cup of tea with someone, you will be friends for 40 years.” Tea is historically a sharing beverage, uniting strangers and family alike over a warming cup, but why should you make the switch to tea?
The health benefits of tea are profound and tea has been popular for centuries for very good reason as there’s plenty of evidence that drinking tea regularly can have a lasting impact on your wellness.
I’m going to explore a few of the health benefits of tea, so sit back, put on the kettle, and dive into the wonderful world of tea with me.
- Tea gives you a smooth energy boost
Over the years there have been some changing perceptions on tea versus coffee. There’s the “age old wisdom” that tea has less caffeine than coffee, but this isn’t specifically true and it is a little more complicated. Tea leaves actually have a higher percentage of caffeine than coffee beans, but differences in temperature and brewing method mean that a cup of coffee usually has more caffeine than a cup of tea. Another big difference is that coffee gives a quicker boost to energy levels than tea, but with the downside that it also leads to a steeper “crash” in energy levels. Tea on the other hand gives a far more gentle boost (and subsequent drop) to energy levels thanks to other chemical compounds that also provide a calming effect.
So if you want some energy for the day without jitters or a pending crash, kick off with a cup of tea rather than a coffee.
Best type of tea for boosting energy: Green Tea.
Green tea gives more of an energy boost thanks to the presence of an amino acid known as L-theanine which helps to slow the body’s absorption of caffeine. This allows the body to process the caffeine more effectively and results in a longer-lasting energy boost.
2.Tea is absolutely packed with antioxidants
Antioxidants are the healthy helpers that keep your body ticking along, and looking and feeling fantastic. In short, antioxidants keep you looking fresh and feeling great, and the good news is that tea has an abundance of them. Tea consumption has consistently been shown to lead to a significant increase in the antioxidant capacity of the blood and a diet high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of many diseases as well as scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation. Overall, antioxidants leave you feeling and looking younger, stronger and healthier.
Best type of tea for antioxidants: Black Tea.
Black tea is fully oxidized. Although it is rich in antioxidants, as much as the other teas, the process of oxidation converts the catechins into tannins. Even though black tea is most oxidized, it still retains a similar amount of antioxidants as it did before oxidation.
3. Tea can help you chill out and improve your mood
For centuries, people across the globe have testified to the relaxing and invigorating qualities of tea and there is good science to back this. Researchers have found that drinking tea lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol and evidence of long-term health benefits is emerging too. It seems that drinking at least 100 millilitres (about half a cup) of green tea a day lowers the risk of developing depression and dementia. So sit back, relax and take care of yourself with a calming cup of tea.
Best type of tea for relaxing: Chamomile.
Chamomile is commonly regarded as a mild tranquilizer or sleep inducer and its calming effects may be attributed to an antioxidant called apigenin, which is found in abundance in chamomile tea. Apigenin binds to specific receptors in your brain that may decrease anxiety and initiate sleep.
4. Tea keeps you hydrated – the right way
We all know that good hydration means a better working body and healthier looking skin, but tea is probably one of the best ways to hydrate the healthy way. There are plenty of sports drinks or flavoured waters that make great claims of hydration; but in reality they are often loaded with sugar and extra added baddies that aren’t all that good for you. Tea on the other hand is pretty much just pure H2O with that awesome tea flavour, meaning that when it’s a scorching hot summer day, it’s much more beneficial to sip down some tea (hot or cold) to replace any fluids you’ve lost through the day.
Best type of tea for hydrating: Herbal teas.
Herbal teas like rooibos, peppermint, or rosehip are made from the leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, roots, and fruits of various plants. Unlike other types of tea, they don’t contain leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant and are generally caffeine-free, which means there will be no diuretic effect when drinking these types of teas – just pure hydration.
5. Tea takes care of your heart
Sipping a cup of tea at least every other day or so may be good for your heart. Both green and black tea are rich in compounds called flavonoids that help dampen inflammation, a major culprit in heart disease. Tea drinking has also been linked to lower cholesterol and improved blood vessel function. What that means for you is that drinking tea three or more times a week, can improve your cardiovascular health and ultimately lead to living a longer (and healthier) life.
Best type of tea for heart health: Black tea and Green tea
While all four types of tea known as true teas — white, green, oolong, and black — offer many health benefits, most studies show that black and green teas are the heart-health leaders. Studies on both black and green teas have found that they help to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which is good news for your heart and one of the stringer health benefits of tea.
All this talk of tea has given me a craving for a cuppa, so while I put the kettle on why don’t you share your favourite tea tips with us in the comments. Here’s to a happier, healthier life with tea!
