Tea has been the favourite beverage for thousands of years by people all across the world. Some people prefer traditional teabag tea, while others have switched to loose leaf. Lots of research has been done on tea and have been shown in tests to improve your immune system, reduce inflammation and potentially prevent cancer and heart disease. There is plenty of evidence that drinking tea every day might improve your overall health. Put the kettle on because we’re about to reveal some of the most significant health advantages found in the world’s most popular teas.
The Tea Plant
The leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant contain naturally occurring caffeine in higher concentration than that found in coffee beans. The only reason coffee is stronger than tea is that it is more concentrated when brewed. The amount of caffeine in a cup of real tea varies greatly depending on the manufacturing method. White tea has the lowest caffeine content of all the natural teas, whereas black tea and matcha green tea have the greatest caffeine content. Tea is a fantastic choice for energy and relaxation due to its lower caffeine levels and the calming effects of L-theanine. It can help you cut back on caffeine or replace your morning cup of Joe with something that won’t make you jittery or disrupt your sleep pattern.
Black Tea
Black tea is widely used in the western world. Black teas come from China, India, and Sri Lanka, although they can also be found in Nepal, Turkey, and Kenya. Black teas have been allowed to wither after being collected and have been fully oxidised or fermented, which gives them their dark colour. This process of oxidation also changes the type of polyphenols in black tea, which are the antioxidants compounds which combat free radicals in your body. A lot more research has been done on the antioxidants in green tea which gives the impression that it is ‘healthier’, but in actual fact its more that we just don’t know enough about the effects of the polyphenols in black tea.
More research is starting to be done in black tea and preliminary findings suggest that black tea may have health benefits.
• Keeps your heart healthy • Assists the body’s defences against oxidative stress which happens when damaging free radicals are left unchecked in the body • Lowers the cholesterol level • A help decrease blood pressure
Green Tea
As green tea is not oxidised, it retains its original green hue. After being collected, the leaves are quickly steamed or pan-fried, deactivating the enzymes that would otherwise contribute to the oxidation process. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins, particularly Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is abundant in green tea and is the source of many different health studies. Green tea has a far higher concentration of catechins than black or oolong tea and is linked to many health claims such as cardiovascular benefits, anti-inflammatory effects, cancer prevention, anti-arthritic properties, neuroprotective capabilities, cholesterol-reducing impact and assisting in weight loss.
Purple Tea
The only tea with a slight edge on the antioxidant front is purple tea. Its a special hybrid of the tea plant which contains anthocyanins which are the same thing that give blueberries their colour. They are also the reason behind the purple hue of this tea leaves. Blueberries are particularly rich in anthocyanins, which have been shown in studies to help fight cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive issues. Purple tea, however, has a much higher content of anthocyanins than blueberries, nearly 15 times more anthocyanins than blueberries. Purple tea is still quite rare and relatively new to the market, so more research is still required to confirm the true effects. However the it has the potential to be the healthiest tea in the world.
All Tea Is Healthy Tea
Tea has many different health benefits and contains almost zero calories, but it also offers up a world of flavours and scents that may delight your senses. Whether you stick to traditional breakfast teas or try a loose leaf tea from the mountains of Nepal the tastes and smells are practically unlimited. It can have different flavour characteristics depending on where it’s been grown, and way the leaves are harvested and processed. Don’t be scared to try different varieties of tea; with thousands of tastes to choose from, you’ll be sure to discover one you like!
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