The Incredible Benefits of Tea
Drinking tea is almost as great as drinking water. Did you know that tea can help protect brain health, improve heart health, and may even prevent certain types of cancer? Go grab your favorite cup of tea, then settle in and read all about its amazing benefits!
What is Tea?
Tea is one of the most frequently consumed beverages in the world. There are two main categories of tea: true teas and herbal teas. In addition, there are flavored teas that combine a true tea base with herbal infusions.
True Tea
True teas - such as green, white, oolong, and black - are made using the leaves of the tea plant. While these teas all come from the same leaf, they are produced differently which results in different colors and flavors.
Herbal Tea
Herbal teas - such as ginger, peppermint, and chamomile - are made by infusing fruits, roots, herbs, leaves, and stems of a variety of plants. These teas have health benefits beyond True Teas because of their added ingredients like ginger and peppermint.
5 Main Health Benefits of Tea
1. Protects Heart Health
Recent research shows that tea drinking may significantly lower the risk for serious heart disease including heart attack and blood clots because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It can also lower cholesterol levels and decrease high blood pressure.
2. Boosts Energy
While green tea contains a small amount of caffeine, the superstar is an amino acid known as L-theanine. L-theanine slows the absorption of caffeine, which results in a longer-lasting, steadier energy boost than coffee. It also increases focus while simultaneously providing calming and relaxing effects.
3. May Aid Weight Loss
Green tea may help accelerate weight loss thanks to its amino acids that signal the body to burn stored fat.
4. Supports Mental Health
Regular tea consumption has been linked to lower risk of neurological disease, decreased stress level, and preventing cognitive decline associated with brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Tea’s natural antioxidants also help prevent oxidative stress, which has been linked to dementia and depression.
5. Aids Digestion
Tea helps streamline digestion and can treat issues ranging from nausea and upset stomach to diarrhea. It also contains tannins, which have been shown to reduce intestinal inflammation, which can help treat irritable bowel syndrome.
So Drink to Your Health!
As you can see, the potential health benefits of tea go far beyond simply improving a stuffy nose during a cold! Reach for a cup of tea daily - true tea, herbal tea, hot teal, cold tea - any way you like it - to enjoy these incredible benefits.