10 Amazing Health Benefits of Tea
There’s no denying that tea is one of the healthiest beverages in the world. Many studies have already concluded that tea has amazing health benefits and thus, good for you. It can be an amazing alternative for hydration aside from water! Also, if you find that the caffeine in coffee is too much for you, you can opt to drink tea instead.
Nowadays, there are many different kinds of tea in the market, but die-hard tea lovers only consider a few as real tea. Real tea comes from a plant called Camellia sinensis and has only four varieties which include green, black, white, and oolong. Other types like herbal teas are already a decoction of different herbs, spices, and other plants. These types do not usually contain caffeine.
Tea contains EGCG or technically known as Epigallocatechin gallate – this is a significant compound that has disease-protective properties.
The four varieties of tea have different characteristics and here’s a quick overview of each.
Green Tea – This is made with steamed tea leaves and has a high concentration of EGCG.
Black Tea – This is made with fermented tea leaves and has the highest caffeine content.
White Tea – This is uncured and unfermented tea leaves; the leaves are merely dried, and no additional processing is done.
Oolong Tea – This undergoes a unique process that involves withering the plant under the strong heat of the sun, and oxidizing before rolling, curling, or twisting the leaves.
Each variety has its strengths, but in general, all of them are truly beneficial for your health. Therefore, tea is not only good for refreshment; it also helps to improve your health. Read on for the amazing health benefits of tea.
1. Tea helps protect your body from free radicals.
Tea contains antioxidants that protect the body from harmful elements such as free radicals. But while the body has natural ways to fight free radicals on its own, it’s not entirely that powerful. Healthy food intake, such as drinking tea regularly, still plays a significant role to protect you from diseases.
Antioxidants can also reduce risks of different types of cancers, heart diseases, and neurological degeneration. These include heart attacks, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
2. Tea is known to be anti-inflammatory.
According to Health, foods that are high in sugar and saturated fat may cause inflammation and over activity in the immune system. These lead to joint pain, fatigue, and damage to blood vessels.
Inflammation is also associated with modern illnesses like metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and even depression. To help curb inflammation, drinking tea can be of great help!
3. Tea helps improve dental health.
Tea can help brighten your smile and make your teeth healthier. Researchers in Japan found out that tea can actually reduce the chances of tooth loss and prevents cavities.
4. Tea can improve muscle endurance.
Studies have shown that the antioxidants from green tea extract increase the ability of the body to burn fat as fuel. So for those who have an active lifestyle such as those playing sports or those who need to sustain an activity for long periods of time, drinking tea can be a good supplement to your usual routine.
5. Tea is anti-allergen.
The compounds in tea can help reduce pollen allergies. Pollen allergies can be annoying. Talk about itchy throat, red and watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and runny or stuffy nose.
6. Tea contains less caffeine than coffee.
If coffee’s caffeine is too much for you to handle, then tea is a much gentle alternative. This means that you can still get your daily dose of caffeine without those disturbing effects in your nervous system such as heart palpitation.
7. Tea can help lower cholesterol.
Studies show that drinking up to 10 cups of tea has a relevant impact on your cholesterol. Green tea, particularly, is considered to prevent the absorption of cholesterol from the large intestines.
As to how much green tea can help in lowering your cholesterol level may be based on whether or not your body responds to it. It’s best to track your cholesterol level daily so you’d know if it has an effect on you.
8. Tea can prevent blindness.
A study shows that drinking tea can prevent blindness due to cataracts or the clouding of the lens in the eyes. The catechins that are found in green tea help achieve enhanced eyesight.
9. Tea improves the body’s metabolism.
If you are currently on a weight loss journey, then tea might just be what you’re looking for to help you manage. Tea is known to improve the body’s metabolism largely. It also helps in reducing the level of body fat most especially around the abdomen.
10. Tea improves memory and concentration.
Pretty much like coffee, tea also contains a known brain stimulant which is caffeine. Tea has just enough of it to improve your brain function, a.k.a make you sharper and smarter!
With all the benefits mentioned above, it is worth noting that tea is not some sort of a miracle drug. It’s not even a medicine in itself. However, it can aid in several bodily functions that may improve your well-being, maybe not immediately but in the long run. Not everyone reacts well to tea so it’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for the other.
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