Can your daily tea boost your health? Many of us enjoy a cup or two of tea a day. We drink it for enjoyment or to quench our thirst. It hydrates us and provides an alternative to water or in the cooler months, a warming ‘pick me up.’
But have you considered that your cup of tea may actually be boosting your health? The benefits differ with the type of tea you drink, but all teas have some health benefits. Traditionally tea is produced from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. This includes black, green, white and oolong teas.
They contain polyphenols or protective plant compounds which act as antioxidants in the body. They protect the cells from damage and have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Other compounds in tea help to lower blood pressure, improve gut health, reduce anxiety and stress, help to maintain greater attention and focus and may help preserve bone density.
Herbal teas on the other hand, are produced from the herbs, flowers, spices, seeds, roots, fruit and leaves of many other plants. They have their own exclusive benefits. Most of them do not contain caffeine like traditional teas, but do have many beneficial properties.
They can boost immunity, are anti-inflammatory, aid digestion, may help with arthritis symptoms, decrease stress and anxiety and lower blood pressure. They may also improve circulation, reduce bad cholesterol in the blood and can even help with memory loss.
Some well know teas are Peppermint – to improve digestion, Liquorice root or echinacea – to treat the common cold, Green tea – high in antioxidants, Chamomile – to help with sleep and relaxation, and Lemon – a natural diuretic and also helps to soothe sore throats.
Other lesser know teas are Lemon Myrtle which supports digestion and helps with sinus and bronchial infections, Jilungin Bush tea which is very relaxing and helps you get a great night’s sleep, and Mushroom teas which can boost immunity and help with cognitive function.
A couple of the sites I buy tea from are Tea Life which sell a huge variety of organic teas and Kakadu Plum which sell some unusual native Australian teas.
Can your daily tea boost your health? I certainly believe it can. Combine your daily cup with regular exercise, relaxation and whole, fresh foods and make this winter a very healthy one for you.
I’m off to put the kettle on!
With warmest wishes,
Judy xxx
Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.
References: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-health-benefits-of-tea, https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/tea/, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea, https://www.freshnlean.com/blog/herbal-tea-benefits/ Image by Yaopey Yong on Unsplash.