A listing of common teas, herbal teas, and the potential health benefits of tea, as well as the differences in benefits offered by each different type of tea. People all over the world enjoy a good cup of tea. See why tea drinking is more than just for breakfast. It can really aid your health and well-being!
Tea has been around for thousands of years in multiple cultures. Many teas are thought to have medicinal properties and are used for medicinal reasons, and tea drinkers swear by the various medical properties. A cup of tea can do a lot of good for your health, including aiding cholesterol levels, preventing heart attacks (contributing to heart health), lowering blood sugar levels, helping your immune system, and aiding oral health. I am not sure if there is anyone who has not had a cup of tea or two (with honey!) when they have a sore throat or are feeling poorly.
Types of Tea and Their Health Benefits
Different types of teas have various health and well-being benefits. Not only is tea healthy and refreshing, but it can also help boost your metabolism, help you sleep, calm anxieties, help prevent cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, and much more. Different types of tea have different positive impacts on your health. Make sure to consult your doctor on what is the risk factors, and what the right tea, and in what quantity, for your health.
You can purchase tea in the grocery store, tea shop, or online. Tea comes premeasured and bagged in tea bags, or you can buy loose leaf tea and control the amount of tea you use per cup or pot. Many people keep a tea caddy full of different types of teas, from black tea and green tea to peppermint tea and ginger tea, to herbal infusions and chamomile tea from the garden.
There are many varieties of tea. Below are five of the most common types of tea and the potential health benefits of each type of tea.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea has been touted for its aid in weight loss and its antioxidants. Did you know that green tea also lowers cholesterol and increases “good” cholesterol? According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a clinical study found that men who drink green tea are more likely to have lower cholesterol than those who do not drink green tea. Green tea consumption has many health benefits, probably why we see so many commercial brands, ready-made teas now being made with green tea.
Green tea also has antioxidants called polyphenols, which help prevent diseases and keep you healthy. Green tea is prepared from unfermented leaves.
Health Benefits of Black Tea
Not only does Black tea have more caffeine than many other teas, but it also has antioxidants and lowers the risk of heart disease. A Boston University study found that black tea helped patients with coronary artery disease and lowered cardiovascular problems. Lastly, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study found that green and black teas may reduce the risk of stroke and that patients who drank 3 or more cups of tea per day had a 21% lower risk of stroke than those who drank a cup or less per day.
Black tea is prepared from fully fermented leaves. The more the leaves are fermented, the lower the polyphenol content and the higher the caffeine content. Green tea has the highest polyphenol content while black tea has roughly 2 – 3 times the caffeine content of green tea.
Health Benefits of Oolong Tea
Oolong tea has many healing properties and is known to aid in weight loss and boost metabolism. Oolong tea also contains polyphenols. Furthermore, this type of tea can aid in digestion because it helps clear bad bacteria from your gut. Oolong also helps with skin issues, such as eczema. In this study 54% of patients who drank oolong tea daily for 6 months showed positive, long-lasting results in their skin conditions.
Oolong tea is prepared from partially fermented leaves.
Health Benefits of White Tea
White tea has the highest antioxidant properties of the teas listed and is low in caffeine. Like the other teas above, it also helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. White tea also has antibacterial properties, which help prevent infections. A study by Oregon State University showed that white tea may protect against colon cancer, as opposed to taking prescription drugs.
Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea
If you are looking for caffeine-free tea, Rooibos tea is the one for you! Rooibos tea also contains cancer-fighting properties like many other teas. Rooibos tea may have up to 50% more antioxidants than green tea! Some studies have shown that this type of tea has anti-inflammatory properties, anti-viral properties, and anti-allergic properties. This is definitely a powerful tea to have in your pantry.
There are many types of teas to choose from, but these listed are the most common, and easily found (I linked to one of each). Whether you’ve tried all of the teas I have listed or only a few, you should definitely have a few different teas in your rotation because of the beneficial effects tea has been shown to have in aiding a myriad of health concerns. Speak to your doctor about your overall health and whether or not a few cups of tea per day would be of benefit to your health. Discuss your health concerns and target those concerns with the tea that will result in the most positive effects for you and yours.
Note: None of this is meant as medical advice. I am not a doctor and do not play one on the internet. Please consult a physician if you have any questions about using tea so your doctor can better explain to you the benefits, possible side effects, and any warnings about tea.
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