Happy world tea day !
Tea is one of the oldest beverages in the world with records dating back to 2737 BC. It is one of the most popular and widely consumed drinks in the world.
Tea in the morning, tea in the evening, tea before bed , tea in the dark, yeah after yoga ? Tea all day.
Many studies also claim tea might actually be a super health food beverage when consumed in the right manner and dosage depending on the type of tea.
So what kinds of tea exist ?
Green tea is usually processed by raw tea leaves and roasted in a pan, making it stay as close to its natural form as possible. Green tea is exceptionally high in flavonoids, which play a key role in maintaining a healthy heart by lowering bad cholesterol levels and reducing blood clotting.
Other recent studies have shown green tea can help lower blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol. It's also shown to be an anti-inflammatory and aids in weight loss.
The black tea variety is the most popular tea and consumed by the most people around the world. It is made by drying and fermenting the tea leaves and thus , brings out a stronger and richer flavor.
One cup of black tea holds many various benefits like packed with flavonoids, which combat inflammation and support a healthy immune system.
Oolong tea is a partially processed tea. While green tea doesn't oxidize and black tea is oxidized until it turns black, Oolong tea is a amalgamation between both the oxidized black tea and non-oxidized green tea.
The partial oxidation is responsible for oolong tea’s color and taste. It is notable for containing l-theanine, an amino acid that reduces anxiety and increases alertness and attention.
Scientists have also found that l-theanine can help prevent cognitive diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
So what else is healthy about drinking tea ?
All 3 (black, oolong, and green tea) polyphenols have shown to reduce body fat and increase calorie expenditure. A number of other scientific and nutritional studies have demonstrated that individuals who consume 2-5 cups of green tea a day for longer than 3 months , had lower body fat and body weight than subjects who did not.
All types of tea, especially green tea, are rich in antioxidant polyphenols. These polyphenols are highly effective in combatting inflammation. Many sudies have shown that antioxidants in green tea is 100x more potent than antioxidants in vitamin C.
Drinking tea is a great way to boost a between digestive system and help improve gut health. Research has show that tea's polyphenols can beneficially modify gut bacteria. This can lead to a host of positive health effects like reduced carbohydrate absorption, improved blood sugar levels and weight loss.
Green tea helps reduce the variety of complications caused by diabetes. Research has shown green tea can improve insulin sensitivity, protect pancreatic cells from further damage and decrease inflammation.
Individuals who consume tea daily have shown to be a lower risk for neurological diseases as well as having decreased stress levels. There are other studies claiming tea may lower the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in tea has been shown to improve reaction time, visual processing, memory, and brain concentration.
So on world tea day, go have yourself a nice cup of hot tea. And smile. It's good for you.
