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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Health Benefits of Tea


 What's one beverage that costs pennies per cup and is full of antioxidants and health benefits as well?   You can find it everywhere and tastes great?  Look no further than your simple glass of tea...black, green, or somewhere in between, this centuries old plant has been providing leaves of wholesome goodness for past and present civilizations.  It tends to get lost in our coffee drinking culture (I love coffee myself) but will hopefully be coming into the limelight even more as we discover just what a gem of an herbal this is!

Tea is not a wonder cure-all like many health claims out there try to boast.  It has been said to help everything from a cold to cancer.  And while most studies are very promising about its benefits, you'll find conflicting studies as well.  So I wanted to wade through all the information and get an understanding how tea can be a beneficial tonic, not a miracle cure, but a valuable drink to include in your daily diet. 

 "Camellia Sinensis."  Sounds like a character from the Lord of the Rings, but this is the latin name of the tea plant which is primarily grown in the eastern regions of the world including China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka (known for it's Ceylon tea) and Taiwan.  It's also grown in other locations, but these locations are called the "Big Five" because of their exceptional quality.


The tea plant is actually a cultivated evergreen which is usually trimmed to keep it's height below 6 feet.  If left to grow wild, it can reach up to 30 feet.

All forms of tea, black, green, oolong, yellow (not common in the U.S.) and white are all the same leaf.  They are processed differently.  Black tea is made by allowing the leaves to ferment which causes them to turn dark, while oolongs are partially fermented and greens are not fermented at all.  White teas are generally leaves picked at earlier times in the season and therefore have a much lighter flavor and color.  They are not fermented either.  

"Camellia Sinensis" (Photo Source)
You've probably seen some articles out there about the tea plant and the benefits they have for your health.  I've read them too and even though the claims do vary, tea is definitely an undervalued herbal health tool.  It's also economical and delicious...and that makes for a great natural health remedy.


Before we start, let's understand that all tea varieties, black, green, oolong and white, all have tremendous health benefits.  Green tea is supposed to offer a few more of it's own because the tea leaves haven't been oxidized or fermented like black tea.  However, if you only ever drink black tea, know that these health benefits are still very much present in the tea leaves.

1. All forms of tea are rich in flavonoids and  the antioxidant, "polyphenols".  They have been shown to have 10 times the amount of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables. What do these antioxidants do?  Basically, they look for cell-damaging free radicals and detoxify them.
What does this mean for our health?  "These antioxidants block DNA damage associated with tobacco and other toxic chemicals."1  This means that tea can help prevent against certain cancers in our body!  

What else does this mean? They also help protect against cardiovascular disease.  "The detoxifying effect of these antioxidants protects cells from free radicals, the damage that can lead to blood clot formation and atherosclerosis."2

"The bulk of research shows that regular tea drinkers, people who drink two cups or more a day, have less heart disease and stroke, lower total and LDL (often called "bad") cholesterol, and that they recover from heart attacks faster." 3

 This includes both black and green.  This was news for me as green tea is always being touted as the better tea of the two.  But according to an interview by WebMD with John Weisburger, PhD, senior researcher at the Institute for Cancer Prevention in Valhalla, N.Y., "In my lab, we found that green and black tea had identical amounts of polyphenols,"4  Which means drink whichever tea you like, they are all found to have lots of antioxidants.




2. Tea helps you to be  in a state of "calm alertness." 

Because the caffeine in tea is water soluble, the body is able to digest it easily and pass through your system quickly.  This is unlike coffee where the caffeine is not water soluble and stays in your body much longer leading to sleeplessness at night if consumed late.  Yes, there is less caffeine in tea as well so you can drink more of it without too much caffeine consumption if you're trying to avoid it.  (Info from "A Guide To Tea" by Chris Cason)

A good strong cup of English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast black tea in the morning is a good pick-me up if you need to wake up but won't stay too long in your body if coffee gives you "the jitters."


3. Tea is also reputed to help with digestive complaints. 

It seems tea is an old home remedy to help out with some of these mild digestive orders. It's supposed to be helpful in easing Irritable Bowel Syndrome because all teas contain some anti-inflammatory properties.  So, if the digestive disorder has to do with inflammation, tea having some "calming" properties should be of help. 

4. Green tea is found to contain fluoride and is helpful in preventing cavities.  

 "Green tea contains compounds that appear to control inflammation and fight bacterial infection." 5
"Green tea’s anti-inflammatory powers seem to help control periodontal (gum) disease. A Japanese survey of almost 1,000 men found that those who drank green tea regularly had healthier gums than those who didn’t. A German study found similar positive results in people who were asked to chew candies containing green-tea extracts." 6
 So, have your kiddos brush their teeth AFTER they drink their favorite cup of tea...decaf of course!


Some Important Things to Consider: 

1. The health studies for tea seem to be varied and sometimes contradictory.  But all in all, tea has been consumed by the Chinese and Japanese for centuries and the civilizations have acknowledged the benefits of tea through their own usage.  It sometimes takes science to catch up with such years of experience.

2. Tea is not meant to be a cure-all.  When drinking it for your health, an overall healthful lifestyle needs to be lived.  Think of it as a tonic instead of a cure but a great beverage that contains some vitamins and healthful properties that can be good for your body.  All of teas benefits are not yet understood, so drinking it is a great alternative to the sugar and chemical filled drinks out there, especially when dining out. 

3. Tea is a great beverage to introduce to your children.  In the age of sugar laden sodas and energy drinks, tea is a great alternative.  Our kids drank herbal teas out of the their bottles and sippy cups and soon were introduced to mild green teas as they grew older.  This has helped them to stay away from these other harmful drinks.   With so many different varieties of tea, they each have their own favorites and have introduced their friends to gourmet tea as well. (They will drink soda, but they do a great job in limiting how much they drink and they don't get it very often.)

4. Tea bags contain these aforementioned health benefits but are usually made from what they call "tea dust" in the industry.  If you enjoy tea, you may want to explore the wonderful world of loose leaf tea as the flavors will have you coming back for more! 

5. Tea sold in bottles is usually made from a concentrate and LOTS of syrup.  I've tried them and basically they are (in my own opinion) not tea, but sugar water.  They do NOT have the same health benefits as brewed tea.  Our Subway restaurants carry brewed tea that is unsweetened as well.  This way you can control how much sugar you put in your own tea.

This is just a little bit of information of the benefits of tea.  New studies come out daily showing how helpful they can be.  Tea may not be a wonder cure-all, but it's definitely a great beverage to drink on a daily basis.  Served hot or cold, it's delicious and I know it's helping my body and not harming it.  

What's your favorite tea to drink?  Blessings!


Interested in more posts on tea?  Check out these other links...Three Reasons Why to Buy Bulk Loose Tea and Reviewing My Favorite Tea Steepers

Resources: 

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/antioxidants-in-green-and-black-tea(1,2,3,4)
http://www.teabenefits.com/
http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/plants/theaceae/camellia_sinensis.htm
http://qtradeteas.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/where-does-tea-come-from/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/463257-does-tea-help-digestion/ 
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/get-healthy/oral-health/5-ways-green-tea-is-good-for-your-oral-health  5, 6



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41 comments:

  1. Great post! I've been trying to drink more tea lately. This morning I had some herbal tea, and I love chai tea.

    I have noticed how tea seems to give me a "calm alertness" instead of coffee's frantic and frenzied feeling! I'm trying to switch over.

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    1. Sounds like a plan! Tea is definitely much lighter than coffee so it takes a bit getting used to. I love coffee but it seems to bother my stomach at times and leaves a heavy residue in my mouth. Tea is a lot more refreshing. However, I'm still a coffee house girl and love to enjoy a cup whenever I can... :)

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    1. Yum! I love Chinese black teas too. They have a nice mellow flavor compared to English varieties. :)

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  3. Does sweet tea count?? I love hot tea too, especially green.
    I may just need a cup this afternoon...
    Elyse @ Shabby Sweet Tea

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    1. As long as it's brewed tea, I would say yes! We drink iced tea by the gallons here too! :)

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  4. Very nice post. Favorite tea to drink is Earl Grey that has a lot of Bergomot oil, just love the smell and flavor. To drink if my immune system needs a pick me up is a combo of dried olive leaves from our trees, green tea and a honey-chamomile for flavor. It's not an instant cure, but it cuts the viruses life span down and gives your body some benefit. Tastes nice and feels great going down when you're a tad under the weather : ) Enjoy your blog.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your tea you drink, it sounds pretty great. Especially since you can go outside and pick your olive leaves...very nice! I love mixing herbals with green or black teas too, it's the best of both worlds! Thanks for visiting! :)

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  5. I love tea.. Right now I'm drinking a lot of chi and vanilla chi.
    Diana
    www.dianabrandmeyer.com

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    1. I totally love chai! It's a great tea and the spices have to be great for you too... :)

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  6. I love the youthberry tea that they sell at teavana. Just thinking about it makes me want to go brew me a cup!

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    1. Teavana has some pretty amazing tea and I think I've had some of their Youthberry...yum!

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  7. What a wonderful post! I have always believed in the virtues of tea and the special pleasures of sharing a cup of tea with friends. I just love all the pretty vintage tea things, like teapot, teacups, linens, and enjoy setting up tablescapes and going to tea parties. Your information and resources just reaffirmed my belief that it's just plain good for you!
    Happy teatime!

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    1. Yep, tea is not only a great drink but a great experience as well. Must be why the Asian cultures have their own tea rituals as well! Enjoy your tea parties...I love all things tea! Thanks for reading. :)

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    2. Also,I always have tea with my Mother, and tell her to just surprise me, when she asks which flavor tea bag I'd like, so I always try new ones. Lately, my 14-year-old says that she likes having tea with me, which makes me super-happy! I'm thrilled to get the young ones interested in tea and fancy vintgae china tea cups, silver, linens, and etiquette! Important lessons that we must pass down! Love, Linda @ Grandmalay's Daydreams

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    3. That's great! I also love to visit some local tearooms in our area. They give you that great vintage feel and memories from Grandma's time. We have taken our guys when they were younger and now they are "tea heads." It's nice your daughter is getting interested in tea... :)

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    4. I love tea hot or cold and enjoy your post. I use a lot of loose leaf tea especially with rooibos leaves. If I need a quick cup I go with Mighty Leaf Organic African Nectar. Always hits the spot!!

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    5. I'm drinking Rooibos Chai right now...the African Nectar sounds delicious! :)

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  8. I just finished a cup of English Breakfast :) Now I want to try some of the varieties you mentioned...better start a Frontier herbs order!

    Thanks for sharing this on The HomeAcre Hop!!!

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    1. English Breakfast is a great classic...thanks so much for hosting!

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  9. Hello Nancy,
    This was a very informative post. Thank you! I grew up in a house full of tea drinkers. My Dad is Japanese American with many relatives abroad so we were fortunate enough to get to experience many wonderful asian tea leaves. I enjoy a good oolong or jasmine tea with fresh ginger shreds when I can get it. Have a wonderful week ahead.

    Heidi

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    1. What a great history! It must have been pretty great to sample so many great teas...thanks for sharing your story, love it!

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  10. Very interesting post! We drink a lot of iced tea, but we like it pretty sweet, so I highly doubt that it falls in the same healthy category as your tea. I like some hot teas, but I still like to sweeten them.

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    1. I like iced teas sweetened, but I use Stevia most of the time so that helps. Glad you like tea though!

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  11. Hi Nancy, I am a truly typical English girl, in love with my tea and can't go a day without my fix! It's been fascinating to read of all its health-giving properties. Thanks so much for sharing this at Wednesday's Seasonal Celebration! Hope to see you tomorrow! Rebecca x

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  12. Yes, that's great! Thanks so much for hosting! :)

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  13. Great post and very informative. I am a big tea lover and try many different kinds. Now I know it's all good for me. Deb (Ontario)

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    1. Thanks Deb. It's always fun to meet a fellow tea drinker and to know that tea is a pretty great thing...thanks for reading! :)

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  14. Nice to see, that was a interesting article.Thanks for posting me great

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  15. The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lot of great information which can be helpful in some or
    the other way. Keep updating the blog,
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  16. We all know how great drinking tea is, but did you know you can even apply tea on your face? Did you know that you can use the leftover tea bags and wipe it on your face. Tea has antioxidants that replenishes your damaged cells and detoxifies them. Ever since I had an allergic reaction to a certain beauty product, I've been using organic products for my skin regimen. Try it!

    Erlinda Lilly

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  17. I like it when individuals come together and share thoughts.

    Great blog, continue the good work!


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  18. Wonderful post! I have always believed in the virtues of tea and the special pleasures of sharing a cup of tea with family.

    Glan Deas
    Kopi Luwak

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  19. Dear Nancy,
    I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I saw your comment on A Garden for the House website about chive blossom vinegar, and that you have been making it for years.
    My question: Newhart are your safety recommendations for preparing this? What type of vinegar do you use? One site from a university said you must boil the vessels and boil the vinegar and dip the flowers in a diluted bleach solution first and you should refrigerate the vinegar.
    What do you?
    Thanks for any advice. I am looking forward to reading articles on your site, which are interesting g.
    Jody

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    1. Jody, thanks for asking. I actually have a post on making chive blossom vinegar http://livininthegreen.blogspot.com/2012/05/making-chive-blossom-vinegar.html or you can look in the archives for it from last year. I use white wine vinegar and to be honest, I've never boiled my jars (a good run through the dishwasher would be fine) and certainly don't dip my flowers in diluted bleach. I've used this vinegar for years in marinades, dressings and cooking. Vinegar being acidic is usually a safe way to preserve herbs. Just make sure the vinegar covers the chive blossoms completely and strain when done steeping the allotted time.
      I've also never refrigerated my vinegar unless it's been combined into a salad dressing with oil. I've also stored my vinegar for over a year (two to three) without any problems with using. Not sure what the university was talking about, but no problems here!

      Hope this helps and thanks for reading!! Blessings!

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  20. Being Asian I was given tea even as a baby. I've tried a lot of teas from different countries but I think my favorites always have been Ceylon loose tea. I used to love them with sugar, cream, cinnamon, other spices but since I became diabetic I started drinking my teas without sugar and in the past 5 months lost 5 kg's and my diabetics is stable. I have a mug of hot tea for every meal and on breaks.. that's a lot of tea I know, but I love them and it's good for my body.. =) Thanks for posting this! Loved the article!

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    1. Thanks for sharing your experience and love of tea...tea at every meal sounds just about right! Glad to hear about your diabetes becoming stable too...great job!! :)

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  21. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  22. Thanks for the information.I love green tea very much.I got some knowledge about the benefits of green tea.I think this information will help everyone.I thinkit is best to drink green tea.
    also very good.

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