Tea is a historical beverage that originated in China around 5,000 years ago. The beloved refreshment potentially has lots of therapeutic effects. These beverages come in over 3,000 flavors. All of these products, however, originate from the Camellia sinensis shrub. Each variety has its own benefits that may help alleviate your ailments and keep you healthy.
The natural substances found in aromatic drinks provide the distinct scent and antioxidant properties. Fermentation will affect the quantity and quality of the chemicals in the drink. Black varieties endure complex fermentation, while green and oolong refreshments are only moderately fermented. White aromatic beverages undergo the least fermentation. Thus, they retain the most activity from their naturally occurring compounds.
The compounds in herbal beverages might make them highly effective for fighting diseases, promoting health and extending lifespan. Hundreds of studies on the beverage have revealed it may treat every condition ranging from cancer to arthritis. Consumption also keeps the body hydrated due to the large water content. Always check with your doctor before consuming these beverages for any of the issues/purposes mentioned.
1. Contains Antioxidants
Tea provides drinkers about ten times the number of antioxidants as fruits and vegetables. Both green and black tea varieties contain antioxidants in the form of flavonoids and polyphenols. Flavonoids protect cells from blood clot formation, cancer and free radicals.
Polyphenols search the cell for any damaging free radicals and swiftly detoxifies them. You may be exposed to free radicals by certain chemicals, smoking, pollution and radiation. The body produces free radicals too as a byproduct of cellular metabolism.
Green selections contain antioxidants in the form of catechins, while black tea contains complex antioxidants of the thearubigin and theaflavin varieties. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin, is about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins E and C.
Catechins can block the growth of the substance that causes cancer and reduce the number and size of tumors. These compounds correspondingly detoxify the body by connecting with heavy metals like lead, chrome and mercury to quickly dissolve them.
Antioxidants may also play instrumental roles in lowering cholesterol by fighting LDL. Other diseases the power molecule may help ward off include degenerative diseases associated with aging, cardiovascular disease and liver disease.
2. Less Caffeine
While tea contains more caffeine than coffee in its dry form, the beverage has notably less caffeine than coffee when brewed. The amino acid L-theanine in tea works with caffeine to reduce stress. It works in a fashion that allows the body to relax without decreasing alertness.
Antioxidants in tea provide an additional function to absorb caffeine, which causes a longer period of alertness minus the dreaded crash.
Green tea selections have less caffeine than black teas. However, replacing your coffee intake with either green or black tea can decrease your caffeine intake by almost 70%. You can always choose to pick up your favorites in a decaffeinated variety as well.
3. Heart Attack and Stroke
Heart attacks and strokes occur as the result of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops from the accumulation of fats, cholesterol and blood platelets in the artery wall. This accumulation of materials is called plaque. Teas may help expand the heart arteries and improve blood flow, which helps to keep the arteries clean of dirty plaque buildup.
In a study of Japanese adults for a duration of 7 to 11 years, researchers found the tea may increase lifespan by reducing cardiovascular disease. Gallotannin extract from tea may help to reverse cell damage from heart disease and stroke. It speeds up the recovery process by blocking the protein Stat 1, which functions in cell death or apoptosis.
4. Weight Loss
Black tea potentially promotes weight loss by reducing levels of obesity-promoting bacteria in the gut. It likewise works to increase the lean mass-supporting bacteria. Both of these actions can result in an improved energy metabolism that causes weight loss.
Catechins in green brews possibly stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to expend more energy and breakdown fat, according to Mendez, the co-founder of a women’s fitness and nutrition service.
Oolong varieties could perhaps boost the metabolism to decrease body fat and weight as well. The metabolism boost they provide probably results from either their antioxidants or caffeine. Dandelion tea, which has a diuretic effect, could help you to shed pounds from unwanted water weight.
5. Protects Your Bones
Bioactive polyphenol compounds in tea possibly benefit the bones by increasing mineral density and decreasing the risk of bone fractures. Polyphenols produce an anti-inflammatory response in the body, which may benefit bone health. A Mediterranean Osteoporosis Study linked the beverage to a 30% reduction in hip fractures for women and men ages 50 and older.
Our bones tend to have an increased concentration of fat in the marrow and a corresponding decrease in bone density as we get older. Scientists believe that green polyphenols promote bone formation. The compound similarly protects the tissue from disintegration. Catechin polyphenols help lower fat content in the blood marrow, which possibly results in increased bone density.
6. Keeps Teeth White
White teas contain polyphenols and tannins that perhaps help block the growth of bacteria. Each cup contains fluoride with a high bioavailability. This means that about 34% of fluoride in each serving is retained, according to the Dental Research Journal. The compounds in white beverages may benefit the teeth by reducing plaque formation. As a result, drinkers could be less susceptible to cavities.
Green beverages may promote gum health. A study published by the Journal of Periodontology examined 940 men for periodontal disease. They concluded that subjects who consumed green tea showed a decrease in bleeding gums and periodontal pocket depth.
7. Boost Immune System
Certain herbal refreshments offer immune health benefits. Chamomile brews may boost the immune system by increasing the production of macrophages and B-lymphocytes. These are specialized white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria, virus and fungi.
Picrorhiza likewise could stimulate white blood cell and interferon production. Interferons are proteins that fight off infection. Ginseng is another great option that might increase white blood cell and interferon production to boost your immune system.
Dandelion varieties may clear toxins from the body, which enhances the immune system’s ability to fight off any infections. Always consult with your physician before implementing any beverage-assisted methods to boost immune function.
8. Sooth Digestive System
Herbal refreshments soothe the digestive system by blocking inflammation and aiding digestion. Naturally occurring substances in the drink help block the advancement of inflammation, which aids digestion. Furthermore, antioxidants help foster healthy gut bacteria and prevent inflammation as well.
Drinking the beverage after meals could help jumpstart your metabolism due to the presence of flavonoids and antioxidants. Both of these compounds may stimulate the intestines and reduce gas.
Chai varieties offer the most benefits for digestive health. Kombucha selections are full of probiotics that possibly help balance the intestinal flora and pH in a similar fashion to yogurt.
