Did you need more reasons to drink tea?
If you did, we have lots of very good news for you and the other tea lovers in your life! As we all know tea is delicious, but did you also know that tea is good for your health? Yes, it is, and we have a whole teapot full of health-enhancing effects that you can enjoy with each and every wondrous cup of tea you brew.
For centuries tea has been enjoyed around the world. Most notably in parts of East Asia where good health and longevity are norm. Take for example Okinawa! This island chain just south of Japan's main islands has a population that breaks records with their longevity practically annually!
Researchers, inspired by this connection between long life and tea, have been discovering new and exciting things about green tea. Researchers found that tea’s catechins, a type of amino acid, are exceptionally good at enhancing our health and keeping us safe from falling sick with several types of nasty ailments. Not only tea's catechins, but several of its other naturally occurring vitamins, nutrients, and amino acids.
To be clear we are referring to the camellia sinensis family’s green tea in particular. But for you herbal tea fans out there, rest easy because herbal teas offer up a host of great health benefits too. The same goes for black, white, Oolong, and pu'erh tea. But today green tea will be the tea of choice for our health tea assessment!
Anticarcinogenic
The research on this one is very extensive, and we must begin by stating that no, tea can and does not cure or prevent cancer. But, the research has good things to say nonetheless. After extensive studies, researchers found tea, or more specifically the catechins in tea can help reduce the risks of developing skin, prostate, lung, and breast cancer.
Weight management
Tea does wonders for one's waistline, too. The amino acids in tea can help to break down fat and assist in keeping it off. Not to mention tea’s natural caffeine not only helps out body break down fat and use it as fuel more effectively, but it also spruces up our physical performance, too. So, for example, if you drink tea and then go for a run or hit the gym chances are you will go the extra mile, maybe even literally!
Antioxidants
This one is often touted as a great health boon, and it is! Green tea provides our bodies with antioxidants, which are a special amino acid that helps fend off roaming free radicals in our bodies. These free radicals bounce around causing oxidative stress and cell damage to our bodies. But with antioxidants, these are kept at bay and we can continue to look and feel youthful.
L-Theanine and caffeine
So we mentioned caffeine before for assisting with exercise and breaking down fat cells. But of course, it also helps keep us awake, this has benefits in the form of keeping us alert, enhancing our reaction times, and keeping us vigilant and aware. To balance out this rush of energy from caffeine, tea has the L-theanine amino acid. The synergy between these two is truly incredible because the L-theanine relaxes and calms us down, providing a state of alertness and calmness, instead of the typical jitters and caffeine crash one might experience from coffee.
Anti inflammatory
Tea has another great series of amino acids up its sleeve; polyphenols. These amino acids contribute to many of tea’s other health-enhancing powers, but certainly with helping us recover quickly and comfortably. Enjoy tea when you’re already sick and ailing to speed up your recovery process.
Cardiovascular health
Tea has also been found to work wonders for our hearts. Not only does tea help prevent and protect us from developing certain heart problems, but it can also help cut down on bad cholesterol and increase circulation and blood flow.
Loaded with nutrients
Tea packs more than a caffeinated punch! We mentioned tea’s amino acids, polyphenols, antioxidants, and catechins like epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. But recent studies have also found a few other great vitamins, nutrients, and minerals in tea. Tea is also a keen source of protein, fiber, lipids, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and some other carbohydrates, too.
Anything else?
Yes! Drink tea if you would like to decrease your chances of developing Alzheimer's and is good for your teeth, bones, memory, and internal organs. Tea is a real-life panacea that one can enjoy every day for the potential for increased longevity. So, in case you needed any more reasons to love tea, we hope you have learned a few more today!