Health Benefits of Tea

The health effects of tea have been examined ever since the first infusions of Camellia sinensis about 4700 years ago in China. The legendary emperor Shennong claimed in The Divine Farmer's Herb-Root Classic that Camellia sinensis infusions were useful for treating conditions including tumors, abscesses, bladder ailments, and lethargy. The possible beneficial health effects of tea consumption have been suggested and supported by some studies, but others have found no beneficial effects. The studies contrast other claims, including antinutritional effects such as preventing absorption of iron and protein, usually attributed to tannin. The vast majority of studies have been of green tea; however, some studies have been made of the other types of tea derived from Camellia sinensis, such as white, oolong, and black tea. Green tea has been claimed to be helpful for atherosclerosis, LDL cholesterol, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, liver disease, weight loss, neurodegenerative diseases, and even halitosis.

If you enjoy a warm cup of tea in the morning to wake your senses or you like to indulge in a cup for its health benefits, you would appreciate a bit of tea enlightenment.

Recent studies have concluded all tea is healthy to drink, and Green teas contain the highest level of polyphenols (flavonoids), which are known for their antioxidant activity.

  • Three daily cups of tea can reduce risk of stroke
  • Study finds Green tea fights heart disease
  • Drinking four cups of tea a day reduces heart attack risks
  • Green tea extract useful for genital warts
  • Green Tea Ingredient, EGCG, Significantly Inhibits Breast Cancer
  • Loose Leaf Tea ‘is the healthiest option’
  • Nutritional benefits of drinking tea
  • Tea ‘healthier’ drink than water
  • Green tea may improve Memory and Brain Performance
  • Green tea extract ‘is cancer aid’
  • Tea may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer
  • Tea could help improve your memory, research suggest

Tea is the 2nd most popular drink worldwide, after water, and it's not hard to understand why. Tea is drunk by millions of people around the world on a daily basis, and the British are well known for their love of tea. In fact, they drink over 150 million cups of tea a day.

Here are 10 reasons you should drink at least one cup of tea today.

  • Tea drunk without milk has no calories, which makes it ideal for those who are looking to lose weight, or are on a calorie controlled diet. Pouring in a splash of semi-skimmed milk to your tea adds around 13 calories.
  • Taking just 4 cups of tea with milk will provide you with around 15% of your daily calcium requirement.
  • Tea has approximately half the level of caffeine compared to coffee, so it can be drunk throughout the day, and the evening.
  • Tea is a natural source of fluoride, and provides approximately half of your daily requirement in as few as 4 cups.
  • Taking a tea break is a good way to find out what's going on at work. You can learn a lot whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. A tea break is also good for morale and concentration. Having a break from the computer, and talking to friends and colleagues for a few minutes can help to relax you, and refresh you, so that when you get back to work you will actually be more effective.
  • There are many health benefits associated with drinking tea, especially green tea and black tea. These range from helping to prevent heart attacks, fighting cancer and reducing the risk of cataracts for those with diabetes.
  • At least 70% of the UK population over 10 years old will drink at least one cup of tea today.
  • Tea bags are the preferred way of making tea, with around 95% of cups of tea made this way. However, loose tea is becoming increasingly popular as people are discovering the amazing flavours and health benefits that fine gourmet tea offers.
  • There are hundreds of different sorts of tea, and getting the brewing times and water temperatures right can be complicated. Loose tea is often not made properly which can leave it tasting bitter, or the water is too hot, or it's left to steep for too long.
  • If you're serious about you tea, or just want to get the health benefits of green tea and black tea, you'll want to learn how to make it properly. A Tea Machine can take all the guesswork out of getting the water temperature and steeping time right. This ensures that you have the perfect cup of tea, every time.

Green Tea

Findings have linked green tea consumption to the slowing or prevention of heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, impaired immune disease, liver disease and cancer.

Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is an antioxidant, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells, and kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has healthier properties because steaming the leaves prevents the EGCG from being oxidized.

It also contains two caffeine-like substances: theophylline and theobromine, the first which is stronger than caffeine and the second which is a little weaker. In general green teas have almost a quarter of the caffeine of coffee.

Facts About Green Tea

  • Green tea can help to stop the growth and spread of cells that cause cancer. Research has also suggested that because Japan has a comparatively low rate of cancer, it could be down to drinking tea.
  • Tea can be a weight loss aid as there are no calories in tea without milk. When combined with a healthy diet and exercise, drinking tea can be a good way to lose weight.
  • Tea can help to prevent diabetes, as it stops as much sugar being broken don, and being absorbed into the blood stream. For those with diabetes, it can also reduce the risk of cataracts.
  • Tea is very effective at thinning the blood, in fact, as effective as aspirin. This means that it can be a good alternative to taking medication on a daily basis in order to thin the blood.
  • Antioxidants contained in tea can help to prevent arthritis. The antioxidants block the enzymes which attack and destroy the bones. For those people who already have arthritis, drinking green tea can help to lessen the effects, and make the condition less painful.
  • Tea is believed to have anti aging properties. The Japanese have one of the longest life expectancies in the world, and this is partly attributed to drinking green tea. In addition, there are many new anti-aging beauty products that include tea extracts.
  • The growth of bad bacteria in the body can be slowed down by drinking this tea. This helps to speed up the growth of good bacteria, and can even help prevent viral strains of clostridia and E. coli.
  • Drinking tea helps to lower cholesterol, and can help to widen the arteries reducing the risk of heart disease.
  • Drinking around 4 cups of tea a day can help slow down tooth decay as tea contains fluoride which is important for the health of teeth.
  • Tea has around half the caffeine of coffee, which means that it can be drunk all day long without the drinker experiencing the effects of drinking too much coffee.

Health Benefits of Black Tea

  • Studies continue to show that tea is very good for you, and has some amazing health properties that cannot be ignored.
  • Black teas contain antioxidants which prevent the damage caused by free radicals which can lead to numerous diseases.
  • Drinking black teas can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as it helps to expand the arteries, which increases blood flow to the heart.
  • Research has shown the black tea can be used in the fight against cancer. Properties of the tea slow down the growth of cancerous cells without destroying healthy cells.
  • Tea is also believed to help to delay the aging process. Nowadays there are many anti aging creams and lotions that contain tea extracts to help the skin look younger.
  • Drinking black tea can help to burn fat and speed up metabolism. This makes it an ideal drink for those who are looking to lose weight, or who exercise regularly.
  • Drinking tea such as black and green tea helps to reduce bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
  • Tea contains fluoride, which can help to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel.
  • For those people with diabetes, drinking tea can help to decrease glucose levels, which can reduce the risk of cataracts, and other conditions brought about by diabetes.
  • Investigations have shown that the benefits of black tea are lessened when milk is added. So, in order to take advantage of the amazing health benefits of this tea, it's recommended that you don't take your tea with milk or sugar.

Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea

Benefits: Red rooibos tea is one of the best health drink or beverage for all those who care for their health and fitness. Some of the beneficial factors related to red rooibos tea are as follows:

  • Polyphenols: Rooibos contains polyphenols that has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-mutagenic qualities.
  • No Caffeine: Rooibos tea is totally caffeine-free, therefore it is recommended by doctors for insomniacs. A cup of rooibos beverage just before going to bed can help you sleep better.
  • Good for Bones: Red tea is rich in calcium, manganese and fluoride minerals that assist in good bone structure and stronger teeth.
  • Infant Relief: It can be useful for little infants who suffer from colic or stomach pains. You may add some sweetened milk to the tea for added taste.
  • Good for Skin: The alpha hydroxyl acid and zinc contents in red tea are best for skin. You can also try applying some red tea powder directly to the skin to relieve acne, pimples, sunburns or related skin conditions.
  • Kidney Stones: Even people with stone problem can drink as much red rooibos tea as they want as there is no oxalic acid in the beverage.
  • Hypertension: Rooibos tea is said to bring relief to stress, nervous tensions and hypertension conditions.
  • Anti-spasmodic Agents: The tea is rich in anti-spasmodic agents, which eases severe stomach cramps and abdominal pains.
  • Allergies: In many parts of South Africa, red tea is used as an effective curative to treat allergies like eczema, hayfever and allergic bronchitis.
  • Slows Aging: The anti-oxidants present in rooibos tea slows down human aging process and also boost the immunity levels of human body.
  • Great Beverage: Red rooibos tea is an excellent thirst quencher and does wonders for active people such as sportsmen, hyper active children and constant travelers. Most people love to drink rooibos tea in its natural form without any sweeteners.
  • Rare Nutrients: Rooibos tea is said to contain rare nutrient contents such as Quercetin and Bioflavanoid that assists in good blood circulation and obstructs hemorrhaging.