Spilling the Tea Health Benefits in Every Cup BY AMANDA MILLER
W hether you drink it hot or cold, tea is a delicious addition whenever you’re settling in with a warm cup before bed or hydrating during a hot day. This tasty beverage not only quenches your thirst, but it’s packed with loads of health and wellness benefits to change your way of life, including reducing stress and anxiety, managing weight, and providing allergy relief. Here’s the tea on tea and how certain types of tea can benefit you and your family. TYPES OF TEA The primary varieties of tea in the United States include black tea, green tea, white tea, dark tea, and oolong tea. According to the Tea Association of the USA, “Differences among the five types of tea result from the various degrees of processing and the level of oxidization.” These teas undergo a natural chemical reaction that will alter the taste and color of the tea. Tea doesn’t contain any sodium, fat, carbonation, or sugar, and it’s typically calorie-free. The teas derived from the Camellia sinensis plant are also rich in flavonoids, which can play an important role in various areas of a person’s health. HEALTH BENEFITS Similar to the saying “there’s an app for that,” when it comes to soothing an ailment or giving your health a boost, there’s likely a tea to help. Here are a few ways tea can play a role in your overall well-being.
Weight Management Weight-loss teas are among the most popular in tea sales, with green tea being the go-to due to its major components– catechins and caffeine. Remember those flavonoids? Those are important in managing your weight with tea, as tea has a type of flavonoid called catechins. These catechins (and the caffeine!) can boost your metabolism and help break down fats quickly. It’s important to note that the science behind tea and weight management is constantly evolving, so always talk with your doctor before making any decisions on what you should do. Immunity Boost Allergy season often feels like it’s more of an everyday occurrence and not a “season,” leading us all to need a little immune system boost to keep us going. Research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University explains that tea contains a component that can help the body ward off infection and disease, and that drinking tea may strengthen the immune system. Tea Association of the USA explains that L-theanine, found in tea, primes the immune system in fighting infection, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Research also indicates that tea’s catechins provide preventive effects on influenza and the common cold, although more research is needed. Overall Health Numerous studies have shown that regular consumption of tea can play an
active role in a person’s overall health. The Tea Association of the USA shares that tea is an excellent source of flavan- 3-ols (flavonoids) and two cups of green or black tea (400-600mg of flavan-3-ols) helps reduce the risk associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and helps to improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. In other studies, white tea is said to be helpful in fighting various forms of cancer, due to being high in antioxidants. There are a variety of herbal teas, many containing various herbs, spices, and fruits, that all offer a host of benefits. According to Penn Medicine, rooibos improves blood pressure and circulation, boosts good cholesterol, keeps hair strong and skin healthy, and provides relief from allergies. Peppermint tea can soothe an upset stomach, cure constipation, and alleviate motion sickness. It also can provide pain relief from tension headaches and migraines. Ginger fights morning sickness, chronic indigestion, and osteoarthritis, and hibiscus also lowers blood pressure and fat levels, improves overall liver health, and may prevent formation of There are plenty of products on the market claiming to help everyone look younger longer. Among these highly sought-after commodities is anti-aging teas. However, do they really work? A study published in The Lancet Regional kidney stones. Signs of Aging Health–Western Pacific found that tea drinkers showed signs of slower
18 MAY 2024 | NOLAFAMILY.COM
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