Tea Time: The Health Benefits of Tea
I frequently try to have a cup of tea at some point each day. Though it is yet to replace my morning cup of joe, I tend to enjoy it midafternoon, when that afternoon fatigue starts to set in. Come on, you know what I’m talking about.
People like you and I enjoy tea for a variety of reasons. Some of us to relax, some for its taste, some for caffeine and some for the health benefits of tea. Heck, some enjoy it for all of these reasons. Did you know tea is the second most popular beverage across the globe? The consumption of tea is only going to continue to grow. According to the Tea Association of the USA Inc., consumer purchases of tea are expected to rise over the next few years.
Over the centuries, health benefits have long been the motivation behind drinking teas. Across the globe, millions of people enjoy tea on a daily basis. Freshly brewed tea, particularly green tea, contains a number of healthy nutrients such as polyphenols, antioxidants, essential minerals and theanine. Oolong and black tea varieties contain these same healthy components, however, the extended oxidation process tends to lower their concentration. So what are these nutrients and what them so beneficial?
Nutrients in Tea:
Polyphenols: Polyphenols are color producing phytochemicals in plants which possess antioxidant like properties. These polyphenols cover many phytochemicals including carotenoids, phenols, alkaloids, nitrogen containing compounds, and organosulfur compounds. Research shows that phytochemical compounds provide an antinflammatory effect within the body, in addition to acting like an antioxidant.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants are often associated with phytochemicals, antioxidants host a plethora of benefits themselves. These substances found in food and beverages can prevent various types of cell damage by combating oxidative stress. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules) before they are able to damage our body’s cells.
Minerals: Tea provides many essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, sodium, copper, and zinc which aid in a number of the body’s physiological processes. They aid in areas such as bone health/maintenance, protein synthesis, fluid balance, and immune system health.
Theanine: The amino acid Theanine is known for impact on brain function. Studies show that this amino acid is capable of increasing mental alertness and relaxation. While the following claims require more research, some use theanine to aid in sleep quality, manage dementia, and improve blood pressure.
Health Benefits of Tea:
Let’s get down to it. What are the health benefits of tea and how does it translate to our health? Based on current research, it is safe to say that drinking two to four cups of freshly brewed tea per day can help in the prevention of certain diseases like diabetes and heart disease. While research is just emerging, teas may even aid in weight loss and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and many types of cancer. The synergistic effect of polyphenols, antioxidants, minerals, and theanine promotes the prevention of many chronic illnesses.
We should always keep in mind that most research is based on freshly brewed, green tea. Other black, oolong, or process teas may not have the same protective impact. As stated earlier, this stems from the longer oxidation period. Extended oxidation degrades the content of polyphenols, antioxidants, minerals, and theanine. This is not to say that you should avoid black or oolong teas. They just don’t provide the same bang for your buck.
I also want to note another benefit of drinking tea. It is super low calorie, generally ringing in at less than five calories per cup. We must be mindful that this low calorie beverage can quickly turn into calorie dense drink. As harmless as some honey and cream sound, the calories quickly add up. I find that when I’m not in the mood for plain old green tea, I like to add in different fruit or herbs to enhance the flavor. Some of my favorite additions are fresh lemon, mint leaves, vanilla beans, or orange slices.
Invest in your health:
Even with the promising health benefits standing behind tea consumption, know that tea is not a miracle cure. Think of it as way to invest in your health. If you are looking for some tea recommendations, I like Tea with Heart Matcha Green Tea Powder (easily added to smoothies), Newman’s Organic Green Tea, Vahdam Green Tea, and Tazo Green Tea, all of which you can find with the link provided. For those of you new to loose leaf teas, you will need a tea steeper. I really like these cute flower infusers. Happy sipping!
