Tea Time What’s Swirling Around in Your Cup?
Tea has been consumed for thousands of years and is the second-most popular drink in the world, with water being the first according to National Geographic. It is the national drink
Singapore has conducted studies that link reduced risks of dementia in the elderly with regular tea consumption. The results speak for themselves: “The longitudinal study involving 957 Chinese seniors aged 55 years or older has found that regular consumption of tea lowers the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly by 50%, while APOE e4 gene carriers who are genetically at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease may experience a reduction in cognitive impairment risk by as much as 86%.” Your Mood Tea leaves contain the amino acid L-theanine, which stimulates several feel-good neurotransmitters, like serotonin and gamma- Aminobutyric acid (GABA). These neurotransmitters help boost your mood and alertness. According to a study by the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, tea even has the ability to ward off depression. The study took 22,817 participants with 4,743 cases of depression over 11 studies, and 13 reports found that individuals who drank three cups of tea a day decreased their depression risk by 37%. So, the next time you want a warm beverage that will do your mind and body good, reach for some tea and bask in all the health benefits as you sip.
of several nations, including China and India, and is an integral component of religious ceremonies the world over. Drinking tea has been known to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep. In addition to these instant benefits, tea can also help improve a person's long-term health through regular consumption. Your Heart According to Harvard Health Institute, several studies show that those who regularly drink black and green tea are at a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. These types of tea contain antioxidants and flavonoids, which are plant chemicals that help dilate arteries and reduce bad cholesterol. Studies also link tea consumption with improved vascular reactivity —how well your blood vessels respond to stress. Your Brain Flavonoids don’t only fight heart disease; these chemicals can also reduce any vascular damage to the brain. The National University of 1. It’s best for one member of the household tomanage the finances. It’s not uncommon for one person in a household to be the one who pays the bills and manages all the accounts. Many people don’t necessarily enjoy being involved in the finances, so by default, one person shoulders the responsibility. While this arrangement may work for a while, it can be a source of long-term problems. For instance, should the person in charge of the finances die or become incapacitated, it leaves the other partner or family members in a challenging position. They must put all the pieces of the financial puzzle together, and there is no guarantee it will ever be completed. This is why communication about finances between spouses and family members is so important. Even if one person handles the finances, there should always be discussions about them. Both spouses, for instance, should be fully aware of all the bills they are responsible for and the accounts they have open in their name, from checking to retirement accounts. 2. You need to worry about estate taxes. The media often portrays estate taxes as something we all need to worry about, and we should be prepared to set up a trust so we can better navigate these taxes. For some people, estate taxes are something they
2 MONEYMYTHS THAT NEED TO BE DISPELLED
need to think about and plan for, but this isn’t the case for the vast majority of Americans.
According to NerdWallet, in 2019, there is an exclusion limit of $11.4 million. For an estate
exceeding that, say valued at $14 million, the federal estate tax would only be owed on $2.6 million of that estate. However, if the estate is valued at less than $11.4 million, the heir or heirs would not have to worry about the federal estate tax. Many states have an estate or inheritance tax. Maryland, for example, has an inheritance tax (10%) and an estate tax (16%, with an exemption of $5 million in 2019). Virginia has neither. Of course, regardless of the value of your estate, you should have an estate plan in place, including a living will and designation of power of attorney. Spell out your health care wishes, and make sure all of your estate documents are organized and up to date.
2 • CampbellWealth.com
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