Real Reasons Tea Remains Top Health Beverage

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There are very interesting reasons why drinking tea has remained a very strong tradition for thousands of years in many countries and communities around the world. Beautifully summarizing these reasons, Katherine Tallmadge of the American Dietetic Association, simply said, “There doesn’t seem to be a downside to tea”. This basically means that every sip of tea is a refreshing tonic of health, vitality and defence for the body.

Historically, it was the Eastern countries which first discovered these amazing secrets of tea. Indeed, it is said that the Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, who first drank tea in 2732 BC, described the liquid as giving him such a warm feeling that penetrated and “investigated” every part of his body. It comes as no surprise therefore that many Easterners continue to see tea as an elixir of not just good health, but also happiness and wisdom.

What may come as a surprise to many people however is that tea is now consumed even more in Western countries than in the East. Currently, Turkey ranks as the highest consumer of tea, followed by Ireland and the United Kingdom. Guess why this is so? Series of studies have continued to confirm the healthful richness of tea over other beverages. So, it’s time to grab that beautiful mug of yours and pour in some tea!

But wait a minute. Before drinking that tea of yours, make sure that your “tea” is actually tea. Although “tea” is a name people give to a lot of beverages, nutritionists consider only black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, and Pu-erh tea as the real tea.  So, if you’re taking tea to get the several health benefits that we shall be exploring in detail shortly, then make sure it’s any of these. Let’s take a closer look the different kinds of tea and their unique benefits.

Types of Tea

• Green tea: this is generally made with steamed clean tea leaves; it has a high concentration of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) as it has been widely examined. Green tea's inhibitor's may interpose with the growth of breast, stomach, lung bladder, colorectal and pancreatic, and cancers; burn fat, prevent clogging of the arteries, counteract oxidative stress on the mind, cut down risk of neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, cut down the risk of stroke, and high blood pressure and enhance cholesterol levels.
• Black tea: Made with soured tea leaves, this tea has the most prominent caffeine content and forms the foundations for flavoured teas like chai, along with some instant beverages. Analyses have found that black tea may prevent the lungs from damage caused by the vulnerability of cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of cerebrovascular accidents.
• White tea: Unfermented and unseasoned. One report has recently found that white tea has the most potent properties of anticancer compared to more refined drinks.
• Oolong tea: It is a famous Chinese tea in Zoology; those given antioxidants from this kind of tea were found to reducing harmful levels of cholesterol. Another variety of oolong is that it is heavily marketed as a weight-loss supplement, although science hasn't backed the claims.
• Pu-erh tea: Made from aged and refined leaves. It has a dark brown-red colour, and its leaves are pressed into cakes. One study has showed that animals given pu-erh hadreduced LDL cholesterol and less weight gain, if it in this for animals, it would undoubtedly work for humans.

10 Health Benefits of Tea

1. Tea contains antioxidants.

One thing you have to know is that tea contains different substance that inhibits oxidation. The work of an antioxidants is to prevent the body's version of rust and thus help to protect us from damage pollution, and keep us young. Load up on antioxidants with white tea, which is less refined than green or black or tea, so it holds back more promoting and enhancing antioxidants.

2. Tea has little caffeine than coffee.

Anything herbal blends have no caffeine, while traditional drinks have less than 60 percent of what typically is found in coffee. That means you can devour it without those annoying effects on your nervous system, says Leslie Bonca, dietitian and owner of Active Eating Advice. If you're trying to replace tea to coffee, she advised that you try a chicory plant tea like Teeccino, which has a flavour and mouthfeel, which is almost like coffee. Chicory plant is likewise known to help cut down stress, and it is also prebiotic so that it may be assistive to your gut.

3. Tea may cut down your risk of stroke and heart attack.

“There are a lot of published writings out there on heart health and tea,” said Anna Ardine, clinical nutrition manager at Magee-Women's Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre explained that this is a health effect for which there is a good evidence.

In fact, a report conducted earlier this year shows that combined data from a host of the earlier study found a nearly 30 percent reduction in the danger of coronary failure and a 36 percent reduced risk of cerebrovascular accident among those who drank two to four cups of green tea a day. Those who took five or more cups of green tea daily had a 35 percent reduction in the risk of having a coronary failure and cut down levels of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol. Drinking five cups of green tea may keep you running to the toiler, but you can get the same benefit from taking one cup of matcha tea, which is made from ground green tea leaves, which are usually said to be equal in the nutritional benefits of 10 cups of regular green tea.

4. Tea may help with weight loss.

Tea has a large class of plant pigments having a chemical structure called catechins that may boost metabolism and help your body shed fats more quickly. And the caffeine in many teas enhances your energy use, causing your body to drop more calories. Study on this isn't as strong, Ardine said, noting that researches that have shown an effect have depended on the intake of large amounts of tea, often in a tablet of medicine shape.

5. Tea may help protect your bones

Information from past animal studies has proved that green tea may help protect your bone. Moringa, a plant that is native to Africa and Asia, has been known for its medicinal purposes, and it is now quickly becoming a well-known superfood. It is a plant that is native to the sub-Himalayan areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is also grown in the tropics. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine.

With more vitamin A, and K, iron, calcium than milk, moringa tea is a great addition to help keep those bones healthy.

6. Tea may keep your smile bright

“Greece researchers have found that tea can lessen tooth loss,” Ardine noted that tea changes the pH in your mouth when you take it, and that may be what could prevent cavities.” Beyond that, tea, unlike many other drinks, does not appear to wear away tooth enamel which would make you smile well, Bonca explained.

7. Tea may boost the immune system

Reports have recently found that tea can adjust the immune cells, so they reach their targets faster. Holy tulsi or basil tea has been used by Ayurveda practicians for centuries to help keep the immune system firm after illnesses or injuries, all thanks to its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties.

8. Tea may help fight cancer

Reports on this are currently mixed, which means there is a need for more research, Bonca said. But, “if you have a history in your family on cancer and you want to do anything you can, try to increase your intake of tea,” she added.

9. Herbal tea may aid the digestive system

“Herbal teas can be good for people with bowel syndrome that is irritable because it has drug used to relieve or prevent spasms antispasmodic,” Bonca said. “And ginger teas can calm nausea.” Get a dose of both with a ginger chamomile tea.

10. Unadulterated tea is calorie-free

“Tea is a great no-calorie alternative to water,” Bonca said. “It provides so many options for versatility and flavour. You can have it neither cold nor hot. And you don't have to dilute it with anything, although you might want to add some ginger or a cinnamon stick. “Which means you can now hydrate with something other than water alone.”

In conclusion

Get yourself a pack of green, and you won't remain the same in terms of health, you can either mix with sugar or natural flavours like acai berry, litchi, pineapple, and strawberry and litchi.

Though most analyses on tea is highly positive, it's not all definitive, so make sure you keep these cautions in mind before stocking your storehouse with tea:

1. Keep it cool. I.e., neither warm, not cold. Drinking hot beverages all the time may raise the risk of oesophageal cancer. Give your tea some minutes to cool off before sipping.
2. The studies seem convincing, but a mouse is not human. Chemical substances in tea may react differently in the laboratory than they do in the human body. Tannins (and the other good stuff in green tea) may not be bioavailable for humans, meaning tea might not always benefit human health in the same way laboratory studies suggest.
3. All tea drinks are not created equally. The body's access to the good stuff in tea might be decided by the varieties of tea, processing, and canning, and the way it was created from raw material.