Have you ever wondered if tea is healthy or not? If so, I understand. There are a lot of different myths and counter-myths about the health benefits of drinking tea.
Does drinking lots of caffeine cause cancer? Is it that bad for your health to drink a cup every day, especially when the antioxidants in green and black teas help fight aging and keep our skin hydrated?
How many cups should I drink per day to be healthier than an average person who doesn’t consume any tea at all? Or will it make no difference whatsoever?
Let’s find out!
Is tea healthy?
Tea is a beverage made from the leaves of tea plants. It’s famous worldwide, and there are many different types, including green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, herbal teas, etc.
The health benefits of drinking tea have been well-documented in scientific studies over the years. Tea has antioxidant properties which can help prevent certain diseases or conditions like heart disease and cancer.
The short answer is that there are no noticeable harmful effects of drinking tea regularly. It doesn’t matter if you’re drinking green, black, or white tea; it’s all good for your health.
Tea is an excellent source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients such as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), L-theanine, and catechins. It also has several positive effects on the brain that may help with everything from Alzheimer’s disease to anxiety disorders.
There’s also no evidence to suggest that it causes cancer or other health problems, and the only reason people may feel like they should limit their consumption is cultural reasons.
You should be aware that not all teas are created equally- some have a higher caffeine concentration than others.
In summary, tea can be a great way to hydrate yourself if you don’t like water. However, it’s important not to replace your consumption of other liquids with tea throughout the day because each type of liquid has different benefits and risks.
Many people believe that tea is healthy because it contains antioxidants. Still, research has shown that green tea, in particular, does not have nearly as much antioxidant activity compared to black tea. Black tea also has more caffeine than green tea, so it may be better to consume black tea in the morning or night.
Why tea is good for you
Here are several reasons why tea is good for you and why you should start drinking it regularly:
It’s packed with antioxidants
Antioxidants combat oxidation in the human body, which can lead to cell and organ breakdown.
Tea is a drink that contains antioxidants, which work to eliminate free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress in the body, and tea has been proven to fight this health issue. These antioxidants include EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate. This is the most potent antioxidant found in tea preparation.
Antioxidants work to rejuvenate damaged cells and have a positive effect on the body. Tea contains more antioxidants than coffee, hot chocolate, or red wine. Green tea has catechin, which is considered an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
The amount of antioxidants found in coffee is less than in tea, but the benefits of drinking both are still there.
Helps protect heart health
There is conflicting evidence about whether or not tea is healthy, but most studies suggest it is. Tea consumption has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease and helps to promote a healthy cardiovascular system.
Tea is good for your heart because it helps to regulate cholesterol levels. The National Heart Foundation also found that tea has a positive effect on LDL or bad cholesterol.
Most studies suggest that 3 to 6 cups of tea per day can reduce the risk for heart disease.
Helps with weight loss
Many studies have shown that caffeine in tea can help with weight loss. It has been proven to increase metabolism, reduce belly fat, and improve cognitive function.
Caffeine and l-theanine are two stimulants found in green tea that help with weight loss.
Studies have shown an effect when consuming large amounts of the beverage, but they also depend on consumption.
The key to weight loss is burning more calories than you consume—the compounds in tea help to reduce weight by burning fat cells. The effect of drinking tea is especially beneficial for people who have trouble controlling their appetites, such as dieters and those recovering from surgery.
Helps regulate diabetes
Tea is a healthy beverage that can help regulate Type 2 diabetes. Green, black, and oolong teas contain antioxidants known to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Green tea can lower blood sugar after eating foods with sucrose. Black and green teas are both known to help regulate metabolism, which is beneficial for people with diabetes.
Helps with bone health
Tea is healthy because it contains polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
There are healthful antioxidants in green, white, and black teas called epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG, which helps preserve cartilage and bones.
For example, Moringa is a plant that’s native to South Asia. It offers calcium, iron, vitamin A and K, which are great for bones. Moringa tea can be made at home or bought in stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.
Helps with teeth strength and teeth health
Teeth are essential for many reasons, and not just to look good. Tea is a great way to keep your teeth healthy and strong as well as fight bad breath.
Drinking tea can help to prevent tooth enamel from wearing down and cavities. Tea has antioxidants that help rebuild enamel and prevent demineralization.
The compounds in tea also help with the pH balance of the mouth to prevent plaque growth. A balanced, clean mouth is vital for the overall health of the teeth and gums.
Helps lower the risk of certain cancers
There are many benefits to drinking tea, including being good for your health and preventing certain cancers. Tea helps lower the risk of certain cancers by reducing levels of estrogen in women.
Additionally, antioxidants and compounds found in tea have been linked to a lower risk of certain cancers. For example, people who drink three cups of green tea daily are 30% less likely to develop lung cancer than those who do not consume the beverage.
Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in America. It’s estimated that more than 150,000 cases were be diagnosed by 2020. Research on tea has shown that it can help lower the risk of lung and other cancers such as bladder, colon, and oral cavity cancer.
Tea options for various health benefits
There are many different tea options available to those who want to increase their health and prevent disease. These teas can be hot or cold, with various ingredients such as ginger root, ginseng root, and green tea.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is associated with a healthy blood pressure level because it can lower the heart rate and reduce the body’s production of stress hormones.
Hibiscus tea is an antioxidant and may bring cardiovascular benefits, while hibiscus sabdariffa has improved blood pressure levels.
Hibiscus leaves also contain antitumoral properties. Drinking peppermint tea has been associated with a healthy blood pressure level. Hibiscus leaves have also been linked to tumor cell death in skin cancer.
Ginger tea
Ginger tea is a popular beverage with many benefits, including aiding in nausea and vomiting prevention. It is typically brewed with ginger root, which has been scientifically shown to have anti-nausea properties.
Ginger tea speeds up digestion and relieves indigestion or stomach distress. It also relaxes things in your gut, which can benefit those with other health issues such as ulcers.
It also has health benefits for digestive health, as gingerols may be used in therapies to protect against diseases like cancer.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is a popular drink for its medicinal properties. It contains no caffeine and has been traditionally used to help induce sleep as a natural remedy for the common cold and boost immunity. Chamomile tea can be consumed as a hot beverage or as an herbal infusion.
Additionally, chamomile has anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties, which may benefit people experiencing PMS or any other issues related to anxiety or inflammation.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea is a type of green tea that has been around for centuries in China. It is particularly popular with older generations in Japan, traditionally served at the end of the day. It is also enjoyed in Taiwan and Korea.
The main difference between oolong tea and green tea is the processing method, which involves a longer steeping time and higher temperature (which allows for a more robust taste). It is also popular because of the lower caffeine content, making it a good drink for those looking to avoid that feeling.
Oolong tea has numerous health benefits, and one study found that drinking more than 2 cups per day can provide heart benefits.
It has been associated with lower LDL cholesterol and dyslipidemia. It also may help reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and obesity through its low-calorie content.
Green tea
A study conducted by the University of Texas at Austin found that green tea may boost brain function. Green tea has been proven to have many health benefits, including helping with weight loss and lowering cholesterol levels.
Green tea may boost your brain function. L-Theanine is a natural compound that increases the activity of inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA while also increasing the production of alpha waves in the brain to regulate mental alertness.
Green tea has a lot of catechins that show to be beneficial for fending off inflammation and chronic disease.
A study found that people who drink six cups or more of green tea per day are less likely to develop atherosclerosis than those who don’t drink it at all. Green Tea has been said to help boost brain function and may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
How much tea should you drink?
We’ll start with the conclusion. Tea is healthy for you, and it’s essential to drink plenty of it every day.
However, there are a lot of studies that vary on how much tea should be drunk per day to get the most benefits without overdoing caffeine intake or caffeinated tea consumption.
A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that drinking 3-5 cups of green tea a day can help to reduce cardiovascular disease and cancer. The benefits come from polyphenols, antioxidants in tea leaves that may protect against different conditions such as diabetes and dementia.
That being said, it’s important not to overdo it with this health drink because too much caffeine can cause an increase in blood pressure or heart rate due to its stimulating effects on the nervous system. Green tea is a healthy alternative to coffee, but it’s essential to know how much caffeine you are drinking. Too much caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns which could lead to health issues in the future if not monitored carefully enough.
Final thoughts
The health benefits of tea are many, and this is one reason why it’s become so popular. It may be time to put down that sugary drink, stop smoking cigarettes for good, and start drinking tea.
It seems that some people may have been wrong about the health benefits of tea–it’s actually quite healthy!
