The Many Health Benefits of Tea & Various Types
Tea is one of the oldest and most popular beverages on the planet, and for very good reason, as the leaves from the Camellia Sinensis shrub, which is an evergreen species found in East Asia. The leaves are carefully cured and then brewed with hot water; tea is enjoyed both hot and cold as a refreshing and healthy drink.
Here are some of the health benefits of drinking tea daily.
♦ Reducing blood pressure – Research shows that regular consumption of tea can reduce blood pressure, due to the many plant protective compounds called polyphenols and it is believed that regular consumption of these compounds helps to protect our cells from damage.
They release nitric oxide and this helps the blood vessel walls to expand, allowing for optimum blood flow.
♦ Cardiovascular benefits – Regular tea drinking is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease, which is also thought to be due to the polyphenols that tea possesses. Catechins are believed to be beneficial to cardiovascular health and there is a high count in green tea. Chai is a very popular tea that Australian people like to drink and it is available from a leading supplier, where you can find premium teas from all around the world.
♦ Reduced risk of diabetes – There are strong signs that tea drinkers are less at risk of contracting diabetes; it does this by inhibiting the digestive enzymes, and scientists think a lifetime of consuming tea could be equal to taking medication in terms of preventing diabetes.
♦ Beneficial to gut health – The compounds in tea provide nourishment for healthy gut bacteria and with regular consumption, it is believed to have long-term benefits.
♦ Stress & anxiety – We live life in the fast lane and for some, stress comes with the job and tea contains caffeine and amino acids, which are believed to have a calming effect.
♦ Improved focus – Tea contains caffeine and this is known to improve a person’s ability to concentrate on a given thing; I-theanine is a compound that helps to stabilise alpha brain waves, which is why many tea drinkers report a heightened level of focus.
Ask any doctor about the benefits of tea, and they will confirm all of the above and a few more.
Types of Tea
Tea is delicious whether consumed hot or cold, and there are many types of tea, such as:
- Black tea
- White tea
- Green tea
- Matcha
- Yellow tea
- Oolong
Oxidisation plays a big role in the preparation and over the centuries, a lot of different tea curing methods have been established. If you would like to order a selection of premium teas, search the web for a leading Australian tea supplier and browse their exclusive catalog.
If you are looking for a refreshing iced drink for those hot summer days, tea with a slice of lemon is a great choice, and there are many brands to choose from.