Health Benefits of Tea

More and more lately, I have been drinking hot tea as part of my nightly ritual. My husband typically drinks iced tea after work. With all the tea drinking that goes on in my house, I thought I would share with you some of the health benefits of one of our favorite drinks.

Each time we sip our teas, we are getting a huge infusion of powerful compounds that are believed to fight off heart attacks and cancer. How huge? Surprisingly, a cup of hot tea actually has more of these compounds, called antioxidants, than a serving of any fruit or vegetable!

Ancient cultures have studied the benefits of tea for centuries. True tea, coming from the Camellia Sinensis plant, is being used to treat ailments such as diabetes, arthritis, digestive issues, and many other illnesses. Along with treating medical conditions, some teas have also been used to treat mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Chamomile tea, one of the more popular teas, is known for its calming effect.

So Why is Tea So Beneficial?

Many of the health benefits of tea have been linked to its high antioxidant properties. The antioxidant polyphenols in tea, called catechins, are thought to have cancer fighting properties and may even be beneficial for heart health.

Cancerous cells can form when you have concentrated levels of free radicals roaming your body. Catechins act like a policing agent feeding on these free radicals and preventing the spread of cancerous cells.

As far as the heart is concerned, tea can help regulate cholesterol levels, lowering bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol levels. Cholesterol has been linked with cardiovascular disease and can lead to blockages in arteries and can result in heart attack or stroke.

Different Teas and Their Benefits

Green tea has a high concentration of EGCG, a potent antioxidant that may have therapeutic applications including:

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Interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers
Prevent clogging ot the arteries
Burn fat
Counteract oxidative stress on the brain
Reduce risk of neurological disorders (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases)
Reduce risk of stroke
Improve cholesterol levels

Black tea has the highest caffeine content. Studies have shown that black tea may:

Protect lungs from damage caused by cigarette smoke
Reduce the risk of stroke

White tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas, said one study.

Oolong tea has been found to lower bad cholesterol levels in a scientific study conducted on animals. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a weight loss supplement, but science has not verified those claims.

Pu-erh tea is considered a black tea and one study showed that animals given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol.