Benefits of Tea

Benefits of Tea

Studies continue to show that tea has even more beneficial properties than previously reported, with health benefits ranging from lower cholesterol levels to improved arterial health and a decreasing chance of cancer. For aging Baby Boomers who are increasingly concerned with their health, tea is a godsend, and one that is very palatable. Tea has become a natural alternative to medicine and vitamins. Lots of people would rather not take medication and prefer natural sources and remedies for healthcare and maintenance.

Tea contains antioxidants, polyphenols, theanine, as well as a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant found in green tea, is at least 100 more times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells and DNA from damage believed to be linked to cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses. Research have shown that tea helps to keep blood pressure down, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol, increase thermogenesis, and enhance fat oxidation.

Wu-Long (Oolong) tea is being advertised to carry many more health benefits than previously realized. According to a new 2004 study published in the scientific journal Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, test subjects who consumed Wu-Long were found to have a stronger immune system and a significantly lower risk for infections such as the common cold.

This tea is also reported to strengthen your immune system as well as clarifying your skin, giving it a health clear glow. A new study published in the academic journal Archives of Dermatology, researchers from Japan's Shiga University of Medical Science found that drinking Wu-Long daily dramatically clears up skin within just one month. And, in addition to enhancing mind and body wellness, the Department of Dentistry at Japan's Osaka University shows the regular consumption of Wu-Long strengthens teeth and helps prevent tooth decay by significantly inhibiting plaque deposition.

Tea for Weight Management: More and more often you'll find green tea (or green tea extract) included in the compilations of many of the more popular weight loss supplements today. Green tea extract often replaces the caffeine component of the standard ephedrine - caffeine - salicin (aspirin) fat burning stack. That makes it a decent quality fat burner in and of itself. Green tea may be useful as a glucose regulator -- meaning it slows the rise in blood sugar following a meal. It does this by slowing the action of a particular digestive enzyme called amylase. This enzyme is pivotal in the breakdown of starches (carbs), that can cause blood sugar levels to soar following a meal.

However, it is also reported that Wu-Long tea carries even more weight loss benefits than green tea. Oolong tea is claimed to be the ultimate fat burner. It has been reported to reduce fattening affects of carbs and burns 2.5 times more calories than green tea.

Medical Benefits

A Cup of Hot Tea = A Cup of Good Health
Tea Consumption Linked to Numerous Body Benefits
A hot cup of tea may do more than relax you. Research shows tea consumption may help prevent a wide range of ailments.

The latest medical research is finding potential healing powers in this ancient beverage. Recent research, for instance, suggests drinking tea may help prevent everything from cavities to Parkinson's disease. And some studies indicate it may even save lives.

The benefits of tea consumption may extend throughout the body, experts believe. Here is a partial list of conditions some research has shown may be prevented or improved by drinking tea:

Arthritis:
Research suggests that older women who are tea drinkers are 60 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who do not drink tea.

Bone Density:
Drinking tea regularly for years may produce stronger bones. Those who drank tea on a regular basis for 10 or more years had higher-bone mineral density in their spines than those who had not.

Cancer:
Green tea extracts were found to inhibit the growth of bladder cancer cells in the lab — while other studies suggest that drinking green tea protects against developing stomach and esophageal cancers.

* Sipping on a cup of hot tea may be a safeguard against cancer. Population studies have linked the consumption of tea with a reduction in risk for several types of cancer. Researchers speculate that the polyphenols in tea may inhibit certain mechanisms that promote cancer growth. Both green and black teas have been credited with cancer-inhibiting powers.

Flu:
You may be able to boost your fight against the flu with black tea.
Your best defense against contracting the flu is to wash your hands often and get vaccinated against the influenza virus. Black tea may further bolster your efforts to stay healthy. In a recent study, people who gargled with a black tea extract solution twice per day showed a higher immunity to flu virus compared to the people who did not gargle with black tea.

Heart Disease:
A recent study published in the journal Circulation found that drinking more than two cups of tea a day decreased the risk of death following a heart attack by 44 percent. Even less spirited tea drinkers were rewarded: Consuming just two cups a day decreased the risk of death by almost a third. Tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, and research shows that high dietry intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks. In one study, people who drank about a cup and a half of tea per day were almost 40% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to tea abstainers.

High Blood Pressure:
Tea lovers may be surprised to learn their beverage of choice touts yet another health benefit: blood pressure control. Drinking a half-cup of green or oolong tea per day reduced a person's risk of high blood pressure by almost 50% in a new study. People who drank at least two and a half cups per day reduced their risk even more. Their risk was reduced even if they had risk factors for high blood pressure, such as high sodium intake.

Parkinson's Disease:
Tea consumption may be protective against developing this debilitating neurological disorder.

Oral Health:
Rinsing with tea may prevent cavities and gum disease.

Variety of Teas

Tea: Black, green or red?

The more processing tea leaves undergo, the darker they will turn. Green tea is the least processed tea. They are simply steamed quickly. Black and red teas are partially dried, crushed and fermented. As we have mentioned before, regardless of the processing method, all teas contain polyphenols.

Tea: Caffeine content

According to the American Dietetic Association, a cup of tea contains an average of 40mg of caffeine, compared to 85mg as found in a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

What about Herbal Tea?

Black, green and red teas derive their leaves from a warm-weather evergreen tree known as Camellia sinensis. The leaves from this tree contains polyphenols. Herbal tea is not derived from this leaf and so does not have this particular health-promoting properties. Indeed, most herbal teas in the market are NOT tea at all. They are only infusions made with herbs, flowers, roots, spices or other parts of some plants. The proper term for this type of beverage is "tisane". Therefore, read the labels properly. Although tisane does not contain as much polyphenols, it does promote other various health qualities such as relaxation and calming effects.

What about Decaf Tea?

We do not know whether decaf teas have the same polyphenols, and thus the same health benefits. It is not yet known if removing caffeine also removes polyphenols in the decaffeinating process.