Drinking tea may improve your health

Drinking tea has many health benefits. Here's how a daily cup (or two!) can be good for you, along with healthy teas you should try.

No matter what the season, tea can be a tasty beverage since it can be served iced or hot.

But its benefits go far beyond refreshment. There is plenty of research showing that drinking tea can actually improve your health.

At the very least, it’s a flavourful way of getting enough fluid into your body each day. On top of that, studies have shown teas can help protect your teeth and your heart, as well as possibly even helping to stave off cancer.

Which type of tea you drink can make a difference. All non-herbal teas are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The amount of time the leaves are processed determines whether you end up with a green, black or oolong tea.

The green teas are the least processed and tend to have the highest amounts of polyphenols, and the only type that contain the polyphenol, Catechins , which is why many studies have been done using only green teas. Certain herbal teas are known for their medicinal values, including soothing the digestive system.

Here are the top health benefits of tea

1. Tea contains antioxidants.

Antioxidants work to prevent the body’s version of rust and thus help to keep us young and protect us from damage from pollution. Load up on antioxidants with a white tea, which is less processed than black or green tea so it retains more beneficial antioxidants.

2. Tea has less caffeine than coffee.

Herbal blends have no caffeine, while traditional teas have less than 50 percent of what typically is found in coffee. That means you can consume it without those pesky effects on your nervous system. If you're trying to switch from coffee to tea, try a chicory root tea which has a mouth feel and flavour similar to coffee. Chicory root is also known to help reduce stress and is a prebiotic so may be helpful to your gut.

3. Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke

There’s a lot of literature out there on tea and heart health. This is a health effect for which there is the strongest evidence.

In fact, a study published earlier this year that combined data from a host of earlier reports found a nearly 20 percent reduction in the risk of heart attack and a 35 percent reduced risk of stroke among those who drank one to three cups of green tea a day. Those who drank four or more cups of green tea daily had a 32 percent reduction in the risk of having a heart attack and lower levels of LDL cholesterol. Four cups of green tea may keep you running to the bathroom, but you can get the same benefit from drinking one cup of Matcha tea, which is made from ground green tea leaves and is said to be the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regular green tea.

4. Tea may help protect your bones

Data from recent animal studies has shown that green tea may prevent bone loss. Moringa, a plant that's native to South Asia makes a great tea. It has been known for its medicinal properties for years and is now quickly becoming a mainstream Superfood. With more calcium than milk, as well as iron, vitamin A and K, Moringa tea is a great addition to help keep those bones strong.

5. Tea may keep your smile bright

Japanese researchers have found that tea can decrease tooth loss It changes the pH in your mouth when you drink it and that may be what prevents cavities. Beyond that, tea, unlike many other beverages does not appear to erode tooth enamel.

6. Tea may boost the immune system

Studies have shown tea can tune up immune cells so they reach their targets quicker. Holy basil or tulsi tea has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries to help keep the immune system strong after injuries or illnesses thanks to its antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

7. Tea may help battle cancer

Studies on this are currently mixed, which means more research is needed, But, in the meantime, if you’ve got a strong family history of cancer and you want to do anything you can, you might increase your tea consumption

8. Herbal tea may soothe the digestive system

Herbal teas, in particular chamomile, can be good for people with irritable bowel syndrome because it is an antispasmodic. And ginger teas can calm nausea. Get a dose of both with a ginger chamomile tea.

9. Tea Improves Your Cognitive Abilities

Polyphenols, a type of chemical compounds that widen your blood vessels and help speed up the process of blood flow to the brain are found in sufficient quantities in tea leaves. Therefore, drinking tea boosts your cognitive function.

10. Tea Provides Stress Relief

The same polyphenols are responsible provide protection to your cells against oxidative stress – a process in which an imbalance is created between the production of free radicals in the body and the body’s ability to neutralise their harmful impact through antioxidants. 

11. Tea Keeps You Alert and Yet, Calm

Unlike coffee, tea doesn’t give you the jittery rush of stimulants. It has a calming effect on you, while keeping you alert.

12. Tea Relaxes Muscles 

The smooth muscles in your body are relaxed when you drink tea, especially Matcha tea. It does a great job of promoting blood flow and releasing its anti-inflammatory properties into your bloodstream. Put simply, it helps keep you calm. Tea also widens your breathing tube muscles, helping you breathe easier. 

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