Best Tea Health Benefits

Let’s talk tea. Let’s talk the health benefits of tea. Let’s talk about the best tea health benefits! Because there are a lot, and probably more that we don’t know about.

Tea is amazingly inexpensive, in most cases much less expensive than coffee per cup. A true bargain in the hot beverage arena.

I’m actually drinking a cup of green tea as we speak! Yum – delicious!

Types of Tea

Most tea is healthy; some teas are even healthier than healthy, if that is possible, for example, green tea! Green tea has so many health benefits that some health food manufacturers have taken to putting green tea in pill form, and marketing it as a superfood.

Most people think of black tea when they think of tea – it’s far and away the most popular in the Western world. It’s also very healthy, it’s merely a matter of degrees in most cases.

Then there are herbal teas too numerous to mention. Many of these have unique health properties in their own right. There’s peppermint, ginger, various berry teas, chamomile tea… There’s almost no point starting a list, go to your local supermarket or health food store and see for yourself. Then do research, you’ll probably find a tea for whatever ails you – and many of them taste very delicious.

I think the only tea I ever drank that was a trial to get down is wormwood tea, which is very bitter! But some people think that the natural bitter flavors make are powerful anticancer treatments – I guess “no pain, no gain…”

But let’s look at what tea has to offer.

Antioxidant Powerhouse

As “everybody” knows, “antioxidant” means “good for you.” You could almost read “antioxidant” as anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-many chronic diseases. Antioxidants combat free radicals in the body. And tea (we’re going to be talking black and green tea here mostly) is full of them. Green tea contains a particularly powerful antioxidant called epigallocatechin.

Improve Your Brain Function

Tea contains caffeine, although in smaller amounts than coffee. This moderate caffeine content, combined with the amino acid L-theanine found in tea, promotes improved brain function – without the jitters and crashes associated with coffee. Tea enhances alertness and concentration while creating a calming effect, which leads to increased mental clarity and focus. Regular tea drinkers often report improved alertness, concentration, and cognitive function (read “thinking ability!”), making tea a popular choice for both students and professionals.

Great For Heart Health

Numerous studies have highlighted tea’s positive impact on heart health. Regular tea consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of heart diseases, strokes, and cardiovascular ailments, making it a heart-friendly choice for health-conscious individuals.The antioxidants in tea, particularly flavonoids, help lower  cholesterol levels, improve arterial function, and regulate blood pressure.

Manage That Weight

For those on a weight loss journey, tea can be a valuable partner. Green tea, in particular, is renowned for its ability to boost

metabolism and aid in burning fat. The combination of caffeine and catechins in green tea works together to enhance the body’s fat-burning capabilities. 

Tea is also a low-calorie beverage, making it a healthier alternative to sugary drinks and sodas often associated with weight gain. If you’d like your tea to be a little sweeter without sugar, add some stevia or monk fruit sweetener to brighten it up a bit.

Great for the Gut

Here we should look especially at some of the herbal varieties of tea like chamomile and peppermint, which have been used for centuries to aid digestion. These teas possess natural antispasmodic (read “calming!”) properties that help relax the digestive tract muscles, and reduce bloating, cramps, and indigestion. Some teas, such as ginger tea, can alleviate nausea and promote healthy digestion.

Drink tea every day! Give yourself the benefit of a happy and comfortable digestive experience!

Boost Your Immune System

Tea is a natural immune booster, thanks to its rich content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. What part of tea does this? It’s the polyphenols in tea, which have been shown to strengthen the immune system. This helping the body fight off infections and illnesses. Regular consumption of tea, especially during flu seasons, can provide an extra layer of defense against common colds and flu viruses.

Keep Your Body Hydrated and Your Skin Healthy

The natural substance that many people think of when they think of “hydration” is water – an obvious conclusion to come to. However, tea can also contribute to your daily fluid intake. Let’s face it, sometimes just plain water gets boring! 

Proper hydration is essential for various bodily functions, including circulation, digestion, and temperature regulation. Tea, either hot or cold, can help maintain adequate hydration levels. Moreover, the antioxidants in tea promote healthy skin by combating free radicals, reducing inflammation, and slowing down the aging process. Clear, radiant skin is not just a result of skincare products but also of a well-hydrated and nourished body, which tea can contribute to significantly.

Lower Your Risk of Diabetes

Studies have suggested that regular consumption of tea may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The bioactive compounds in tea, such as catechins, assist in regulating blood sugar levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing inflammation. So incorporate tea into a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle! In this way, you can potentially lower your risk of developing this very prevalent and often preventable chronic condition known as diabetes. Diabetes is truly one of the more preventable diseases. A few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle might be all you need – which can certainly include tea.

The Cost of Tea

Yes, I know – the whole American revolution started over the exorbitantly high price of tea! But that’s behind us now, and it seems the whole world realizes – finally – that tea should be inexpensive and abundant. If you can’t afford tea – 100 bags of which you can buy for just a few dollars at most – you are really very poor, for sure!

Finally…

The health benefits of tea are very well documented; you can afford it; it tastes great. So let’s “tea off!” Drink it every day! It would be hard to “over-drink” it!

If you have “tea-ed off,” and have something to add to the discussion of tea in its many and various forms, please feel free to share in the space below!