Top 10
Health Benefits of Drinking Tea
There
are lots of reasons why I enjoy a hot cup of tea: I love the aroma of various
flavors of tea; holding onto a hot tea mug warms my hands on a cold winter
morning; sipping tea in front of the fireplace is a great way to relax. And
those are just the feel-good reasons. If you're not drinking tea yet, read up
on these 10 ways tea does your body good and then see if you're ready to change
your Starbucks order!
1. Tea contains antioxidants. Like the
Rust-Oleum paint that keeps your outdoor furniture from rusting, tea's
antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of
pollution.
2. Tea has less caffeine than coffee.
Coffee usually has two to three times the caffeine of tea (unless you're a fan
of Morning Thunder, which combines caffeine with mate, an herb that acts like
caffeine in our body). An eight-ounce cup of coffee contains around 135 mg
caffeine; tea contains only 30 to 40 mg per cup. If drinking coffee gives you
the jitters, causes indigestion or headaches or interferes with sleep -- switch
to tea.
3. Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack
and stroke. Unwanted blood clots formed from cholesterol and blood
platelets cause heart attack and stroke. Drinking tea may help keep your
arteries smooth and clog-free, the same way a drain keeps your bathroom pipes
clear. A 5.6-year study from the Netherlands found a 70 percent lower risk of
fatal heart attack in people who drank at least two to three cups of black tea daily
compared to non-tea drinkers.
4. Tea protects your bones. It's not
just the milk added to tea that builds strong bones. One study that compared
tea drinkers with non-drinkers, found that people who drank tea for 10 or more
years had the strongest bones, even after adjusting for age, body weight,
exercise, smoking and other risk factors. The authors suggest that this may be
the work of tea's many beneficial phytochemicals.
5. Tea gives you a sweet smile. One look
at the grimy grin of Austin Powers and you may not think drinking tea is good
for your teeth, but think again. It's the sugar added to it that's likely to
blame for England's bad dental record. Tea itself actually contains fluoride
and tannins that may keep plaque at bay. So add unsweetened tea drinking to
your daily dental routine of brushing and flossing for healthier teeth and
gums.
6. Tea bolsters your immune defenses. Drinking
tea may help your body's immune system fight off infection. When 21 volunteers
drank either five cups of tea or coffee each day for four weeks, researchers
saw higher immune system activity in the blood of the tea drinkers.
7. Tea protects against cancer. Thank the
polyphenols, the antioxidants found in tea, once again for their
cancer-fighting effects. While the overall research is inconclusive, there are
enough studies that show the potential protective effects of drinking tea to
make adding tea to your list of daily beverages.
8. Tea helps keep you hydrated.
Caffeinated beverages, including tea, used to be on the list of beverages thatdidn't contribute
to our daily fluid needs. Since caffeine is a diuretic and makes us pee more,
the thought was that caffeinated beverages couldn't contribute to our overall
fluid requirement. However, recent research has shown that the caffeine really
doesn't matter -- tea and other caffeinated beverages definitely
contribute to our fluid needs. The only time the caffeine becomes a problem as
far as fluid is concerned is when you drink more than five or six cups of a
caffeinated beverage at one time.
9. Tea is calorie-free. Tea doesn't have
any calories, unless you add sweetener or milk. Consuming even 250 fewer
calories per day can result in losing one pound per week. If you're looking for
a satisfying, calorie-free beverage, tea is a top choice.
10. Tea increases your metabolism. Lots of
people complain about a slow metabolic rate and their inability to lose weight.
Green tea has been shown to actually increase metabolic rate so that you can
burn 70 to 80 additional calories by drinking just five cups of green tea per
day. Over a year's time you could lose eight pounds just by drinking green tea.
Of course, taking a 15-minute walk every day will also burn calories.
6 Amazing Benefits of Tea
I recently wrote
an article on the best benefits of coffee. I read all the comments, and many of
the readers mentioned their love of tea as well. So -- it only makes sense to
cover the amazing health outcomes that can come with tea drinking too!
If you are trying
to improve your health or drop a few pounds, think beyond superfoods and
supplements, because this "super-drink" deserves your attention. The
things we chew are not the only dietary factors that contribute to weight
management, disease fighting, energy boosting and stress reducing. Consumed for
thousands of years, tea has provided delicious medicinal benefits to many
cultures around the globe. Studies show that the components found in such a
small little teabag can do wonders for your health. Drink up - your overall
health is about to get a lot better!
Tea can help you in maintaining a healthy weight. A 2011 study in the Journal Obesity found that mice fed a high fat diet and
given compounds found in green tea gained weight at a slower rate than mice
that were not fed the same compounds. The findings from this study suggest that
green tea extracts may actually interfere with fat formation in the body. As a
side note: green tea extracts should not be confused with bottled green tea
drinks that may be full of added sugar. To get green tea extracts, opt for the
real deal -- boiling water with a good old-fashioned teabag or loose tea!
Green tea may help you see better. The eye, like any part of the body, can suffer oxidative stress --
making it more prone to disease. What if you could just add some green tea to
your daily diet regimen to combat this? A 2010 study found that components in green tea positively affected the tissues
of the eyes, especially tissue related to the retina. Drink on green tea lovers
and protect your precious eyeballs!
White tea can help you look younger! White tea has a very high polyphenol count (that means it's really
good for you), which deliver fabulously gorgeous benefits! A recent studydemonstrated
that tea drinkers may have already found their fountain of youth -- in their
mug! In the study, extracts in white tea inhibited wrinkle production by
strengthening elastin and collagen -- two important factors in your chances of
developing what both men and women fear the most -- fine lines and wrinkles.
White tea can keep your joints younger too according to this 2011 study.
Black tea can help to reduce stress levels. Stressed out? A cup of black tea may be just what you need. One study found that black tea actually helped in reducing
levels of the stress hormones in study participants. The fun does not stop
there -- black tea showed yet another benefit related to stress: blood
pressure. As stress goes up, blood pressure does too, putting us at risk for
developing a heart attack or stroke. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found
that six months of black tea consumption lowered systolic blood pressure.
It may help you fight diabetes. A 2010 study reviewing a variety of caffeinated teas found that the caffeine in
tea may help in reducing the overall risk of diabetes.
Tea can make your ticker stronger! One study found that green tea helped to improve endothelial
function rather quickly after consumption but resist the urge to add milk to
your tea if you are drinking for better cardiovascular health! That's because
the caseins in milk may actually decrease the cardioprotective benefits you get
from tea according to one study.
The tea-takeaway. You can use tea bags or go loose, drink it hot or drink it cold.
Either way, tea is fabulous -- and so are all of its benefits. For all the tea
veterans, keep drinking your way to good health! For those that have not yet
embraced a tea-drinking habit, it's never too late to start brewing a batch!
Explore the various types, flavors, and brands to find your tea-mate
Types of Teas and
Their Health Benefits
Regarded for thousands of years in the
East as a key to good health, happiness, and wisdom, tea has caught the
attention of researchers in the West, who are discovering the many health
benefits of different types of teas.
Studies have found that some teas may help with cancer, heart
disease, and diabetes; encourage weight loss; lower cholesterol; and bring
about mental alertness. Tea also appears to have antimicrobial qualities.
“There doesn’t seem to be a downside to
tea,” says American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Katherine Tallmadge, MA,
RD, LD. “I think it’s a great alternative to coffee drinking. First, tea has
less caffeine. It’s pretty well established that the compounds in tea – their flavonoids
– are good for the heart and may reduce cancer.”
Although a lot of questions remain
about how long tea needs to be steeped for the most benefit, and how much you
need to drink, nutritionists agree any tea is good tea. Still, they prefer
brewed teas over bottled to avoid the extra calories and sweeteners.
Here's a primer to get you started.
Health Benefits of Tea: Green, Black, and White Tea
Tea is a name given to a lot of brews,
but purists consider only green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and
pu-erh tea the real thing. They are all derived from theCamellia sinensis plant, a shrub native to China and India, and contain unique
antioxidants called flavonoids. The most potent of these, known as ECGC, may
help against free radicals that can contribute to cancer, heart disease, and
clogged arteries.
All these teas also have caffeine and
theanine, which affect the brain and seem to heighten mental alertness.
The more processed the tea leaves,
usually the less polyphenol content. Polyphenols include flavonoids. Oolong and
black teas are oxidized or fermented, so they have lower concentrations of
polyphenols than green tea; but their antioxidizing power is still high.
Here's what some
studies have found about the potential health benefits of tea:
·
Green tea: Made with steamed
tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied.
Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast,
lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the
arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of
neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk
of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.
·
Black tea: Made with fermented
tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for
flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that
black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke.
It also may reduce the risk of stroke.
·
White tea: Uncured and
unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent anticancer
properties compared to more processed teas.
·
Oolong tea: In an animal study,
those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have lower bad
cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a
weight loss supplement, but science hasn’t backed the claims.
·
Pu-erh tea: Made from fermented
and aged leaves. Considered a black tea, its leaves are pressed into cakes. One
animal study showed that animals given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced
LDL cholesterol.
: Medical Benefits
A Cup of
Hot Tea = A Cup of Good Health
Tea Consumption Linked to Numerous Body Benefits
A hot cup of tea may do more than relax you. Research shows tea consumption may help prevent a wide range of ailments.
Tea Consumption Linked to Numerous Body Benefits
A hot cup of tea may do more than relax you. Research shows tea consumption may help prevent a wide range of ailments.
The
latest medical research is finding potential healing powers in this ancient
beverage. Recent research, for instance, suggests drinking tea may help prevent
everything from cavities to Parkinson's disease. And some studies indicate it
may even save lives.
The
benefits of tea consumption may extend throughout the body, experts believe.
Here is a partial list of conditions some research has shown may be prevented
or improved by drinking tea:
Arthritis: Research suggests that older women who are tea
drinkers are 60 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those
who do not drink tea.
Bone
Density: Drinking tea regularly for years may produce
stronger bones. Those who drank tea on a regular basis for 10 or more years had
higher-bone mineral density in their spines than those who had not.
Cancer: Green tea extracts were found to inhibit the
growth of bladder cancer cells in the lab — while other studies suggest that
drinking green tea protects against developing stomach and esophageal cancers.
- Sipping on a cup of hot tea may be a safeguard against
cancer. Population
studies have linked the consumption of tea with a reduction in risk for
several types of cancer. Researchers speculate that the polyphenols in tea
may inhibit certain mechanisms that promote cancer growth. Both green and
black teas have been credited with cancer-inhibiting powers.
Flu: You may be able to boost your fight against the
flu with black tea.
Your best defense against contracting the flu is to wash your hands often and get vaccinated against the influenza virus. Black tea may further bolster your efforts to stay healthy. In a recent study, people who gargled with a black tea extract solution twice per day showed a higher immunity to flu virus compared to the people who did not gargle with black tea.
Your best defense against contracting the flu is to wash your hands often and get vaccinated against the influenza virus. Black tea may further bolster your efforts to stay healthy. In a recent study, people who gargled with a black tea extract solution twice per day showed a higher immunity to flu virus compared to the people who did not gargle with black tea.
Heart
Disease: A recent study published in the journal Circulation found that drinking more than two cups of tea a
day decreased the risk of death following a heart attack by 44 percent. Even
less spirited tea drinkers were rewarded: Consuming just two cups a day
decreased the risk of death by almost a third.
Tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, and research shows that high dietry intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks. In one study, people who drank about a cup and a half of tea per day were almost 40% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to tea abstainers.
Tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, and research shows that high dietry intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks. In one study, people who drank about a cup and a half of tea per day were almost 40% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to tea abstainers.
High
Blood Pressure: Tea lovers may be surprised to learn their
beverage of choice touts yet another health benefit: blood pressure control.
Drinking a half-cup of green or oolong tea per day reduced a person's risk of
high blood pressure by almost 50% in a new study. People who drank at least two
and a half cups per day reduced their risk even more. Their risk was reduced
even if they had risk factors for high blood pressure, such as high sodium
intake.
Parkinson's
Disease: Tea consumption may be protective against
developing this debilitating neurological disorder.
Oral
Health: Rinsing with tea may prevent cavities and gum
disease.
What's responsible for tea's many health benefits?
It's the complex brew of chemicals that make up
this seemingly simple beverage.
"The
big class of chemicals in tea are flavonoids — a natural class of antioxidants
that are found in many natural plant-derived foods," explains Dr. Kenneth
Mukamal, an internist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and
author of the Circulation report. "In American diets, black tea
represents probably the single biggest source of flavonoids."
Antioxidants
rid the body of molecules called free radicals, which are side products of
damage done to the body by pollution and the natural aging process. Free
radicals in the body's cells are very unstable and tend to react negatively
with other important molecules like DNA, causing malfunctions and injury on the
cellular level. The destruction these free radicals produce may therefore pave
the way for diseases like heart disease and cancer.
In
the case of heart disease, antioxidants in tea may prevent death from second
heart attack by helping blood vessels relax, thereby allowing blood to flow
through more easily, potentially lowering blood pressure and reducing stress on
the heart.
Antioxidants
are thought to be behind the benefits of tea on dental health as well. A number
of studies have suggested that rinsing with black or green tea may lead to
better oral health.
"We
have found that the [antioxidants] in black tea will suppress the growth of
bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and gum diseases," says
Christine Wu, professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois at
Chicago College of Dentistry. "These will inhibit or interfere with the attachment
of bacteria to the tooth surface."
A Prescription for Better Health?
With
so much compelling research, isn't it about time for everyone to consider
brewing up more of this potent potable?
"For
nearly everybody, there are few, if any, downsides to drinking tea. It's hard
for me to tell people not to do it," says Mukamal. "But I'm not sure
our evidence is quite at the stage where we would be recommending that
everybody drink tea."
That's
because some people may be sensitive to certain components of tea. And while
the caffeine content is 1/3 that of a cup of coffee, some people may react to
caffeine at any concentration.
Additionally,
researchers need to pin down how much and how often tea should be consumed for
optimal health. "Drinking tea is beneficial, but we need to do more
studies to substantiate it," says Wu.
In
the meantime, adding tea to your list of possible beverages is probably a good
idea, experts say.
"I
think it's reasonable for people looking to make healthy lifestyle choices to
consider tea as a better option than other beverages — which aren't necessarily
harmful, but which may not give people the added benefits that something like
tea does," says Mukamal.
(Submitted by Erin Ellizabeth Ward of Durham, North Carolina)
(Submitted by Erin Ellizabeth Ward of Durham, North Carolina)
Black Tea Helps Prevent Cavities
New studies, funded by the Tea Trade Health
Research Association, found several doses of black tea every day not only
reduced plaque build-up but also helped control bacteria.
"We
found that the black tea infusion can inhibit or suppress the growth of
bacteria that promotes cavities and affect their ability to attach to tooth
surfaces," Christine Wu, professor of periodontics at the University of
Illinois and lead researcher on one part of the study.
Wu
said that while earlier studies in Japan have shown the cavity-fighting
benefits of green tea, known for its rich antioxidants, her team chose to focus
on black tea, which is more popular in western culture.
The
research is part of a collaborative study done in conjunction with the College
of Dentistry at the University of Iowa and the Institute of Odontology at
Goeteborg University in Sweden. The findings were presented at a meeting of the
American Society for Microbiology in Orlando, Florida.
300 Species of Bacteria
Dental plaque contains more than 300 species of
bacteria that adhere to tooth surfaces and produce cavity-causing acid. Plaque
is also a leading cause of gum disease.
A
specific element of black tea, called polyphenols, killed or suppressed
cavity-causing bacteria from either growing or producing acid, according to
Wu's study. The tea also affected the bacterial enzymes and prevented the
formation of the sticky-like material that binds plaque to teeth.
Participants
in the study rinsed with tea for 30 seconds, five times, waiting three minutes
between each rinse.
"We
were trying to simulate what people did while sipping tea," Wu said.
A
similar study by Goeteborg University, where participants rinsed with tea for
one minute 10 times per day, showed comparable results. Both studies showed
that the more people rinsed, the more their plaque and bacteria levels fell.
In
the University of Iowa study, researchers looked at the impact of black tea's
fluoride content on preventing cavities but found the benefits less clear. They
exposed pre-cavity lesions to black tea but saw little change, suggesting that
tea's cavity-fighting ability stems from a complicated reaction between it and
bacteria.
Fluoride Not A Factor?
"We had very little results, which implies
that if tea is having a result in normal use it's not from fluoride," said
James Wefel, professor and director of the Dows Institute of Dental Research at
the University of Iowa.
Of
course, to help prevent cavities the tea must truly be "black,"
without sugar, milk, honey or other additives. Researchers also stressed
drinking black tea should not replace traditional oral hygiene.
"Tea
will affect the plaque formation but one has to brush their teeth to remove the
plaque," Wu said. "It's a must." And while black tea may fight
cavities, it does not combat tooth stains.
(Submitted by James Dewanz of New York)
(Submitted by James Dewanz of New York)
Hibiscus Tea - Antioxidants
A recent study revealed that hibiscus teas contain a number
of different antioxidants that may help to protect against cell-damaging free
radicals. These teas also may help control high blood pressure. You can find
hibiscus in such teas as sour tea, red zinger tea, or sorrel tea. Check the
ingredients label to be sure.
7 herbal teas that
will make you healthier
Need a health
boost? Reach for a soothing cup of herbal tea to relieve nausea, bloating and
other common ailments
By Meredith Dault
There’s nothing nicer on a cold
midwinter’s day than a soothing cup of herbal tea. But besides being a tasty,
warming, caffeine-free pick-me-up, herbal tea has lots of wonderful health benefits.
From soothing a troubled tummy to easing insomnia and calming a troubled mind, herbs
have all sorts of healing powers. Drinking herbal tea can also be a great source
of vitamins and minerals.
What is herbal tea?
Herbal tea isn’t really made from
tea—which is a specific kind of plant. The French use the word tisane,
which is a little more accurate, since herbal tea is really just an infusion of leaves,
seeds, roots or bark, extracted in hot water. In drinking a
well-steeped herbal tea, we get all the plant’s benefits in an easily
digestible form.
The benefits of herbal tea
“In a lot of ways, we
might get more benefit from a good organic tea than from a vitamin pill,”
says herbalist Marianne Beacon of Elderberry Herbals in Peterborough, Ont. "You’re
getting the benefits of hydration. There’s the social element: Tea is something
that you can share with people. And when you’re drinking herbal tea, you get
aromatherapy at the same time—and that’s something you don’t get from a
tablet!”
That’s why Toronto-based herbalist Marcia Dixon says herbal tea should always be steeped in a covered
vessel to contain
the beneficial essential oils. “Otherwise, your room smells nice but you aren’t
retaining the medicinal properties.”
How to choose a herbal tea
When it comes to choosing a herbal
tea, both Dixon and Beacon agree that it’s important to look for a well-sourced product
made from high-quality ingredients. If you’re drinking tea for
the medicinal benefits, then definitely steer clear of products that add things
like essential oils or flavours. And to really get the full benefits from
drinking herbal tea, make sure you steep your loose tea or tea bags long
enough—in some cases, as long as 10 to 15 minutes—to really bring out all the
healthful properties.
“Anytime you’re ingesting something, you’re
giving your body the building blocks it needs to manufacture tissues and hormones,”
says Dixon. “If you drink tea every day, you can make all sorts of significant
changes to your mood, your skin, your sense of well-being and energy.”
There are so many wonderful herbal teas to choose from. Here are a few of the most common. Don’t be afraid to try something new!
There are so many wonderful herbal teas to choose from. Here are a few of the most common. Don’t be afraid to try something new!
Peppermint tea
Halifax naturopath Colin Huska recommends drinking peppermint tea to relieve
the symptoms of abdominal gas and bloating, and to relieve
muscle spasms. It’s also good for nausea (without vomiting) and for heating up
the body and making it sweat. If indigestion or heartburn are problems, however, then Dixon
recommends avoiding peppermint altogether. Peppermint tea can also be made
using fresh herbs from the garden—and it's one of the easiest herbs to grow.
Ginger tea
Another great digestive aid, ginger
can be used to curb nausea, vomiting or upset stomach due to
motion sickness. Make fresh ginger tea by simmering a piece of
ginger root on the stove for 10 to 15 minutes—add fresh lemon juice and honey
when you have a cold for a powerful germ-fighting combination. Beacon also
suggests making tea from powdered ginger to ward off a chill.
Chamomile tea
A gentle calming
and sedative tea made
from flowers, chamomile tea can be helpful for insomnia. It can also be helpful
with digestion after a meal. Huska recommends chamomile in cases of cough and
bronchitis, when you have a cold or fever, or as a gargle for inflammation of
the mouth. Be sure to steep it well to get all the medicinal benefits.
Rooibos tea
High in vitamin C as well as other
minerals, rooibos has all sorts of health benefits. An easy drinking tea, it’s
largely grown in South Africa and has been touted for itsantioxidant properties—which may in
turn help ward off disease and the signs of aging. It has also been shown to
help with common skin concerns, such as eczema.
Lemon balm tea
An easy-to-grow plant, lemon balm is helpful
for lifting the spirits. “It’s good for the winter blahs,” says
Deacon, “and it can help improve concentration.” She adds that lemon balm is
safe for children and may help prevent nightmares when consumed before bed.
This herb also makes a refreshing iced tea, and can be flavoured with lemon or
maple syrup.
Milk thistle and dandelion tea
When consumed as a tea, milk thistle
or dandelion are gentle liver cleansers. “They help the liver to regenerate and function at a higher
capacity,” says Huska. “They can also assist in the production of bile, which
can help with our digestive process.”
Rosehip tea
Rosehips are the fruit of the rose
plant and are one of the best plant sources of vitamin C,
which is important for the immune system, skin and tissue health and adrenal
function. Consider reaching for rosehip tea next time you need a health boost.
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