Many people believe that tea is the drink that cures all ailments. Feeling tired? Have some tea. Take some tea. Have you been shocked? Let’s have a cup of tea. Do you think teary-eyed? What about a cup of chai with a friend? Tea has a great reputation as a healing beverage, and now science is revealing its true benefits.
What exactly is tea?
Since ancient times, Chinese people have consumed tea for its medicinal and pleasure benefits.
The same leaves are used to make both black and green tea, but they are produced differently. The black tea leaves are allowed to oxidize to create a dark color.
Green tea leaves are picked fresh and dried as soon as possible to avoid oxidation. Oolong tea is a ‘halfway house’ between black and green.
White tea is an expensive, premium brew made from young leaves that are picked before they fully open and dried right away for a sweet, light flavor.
Can I drink tea?
Regular tea drinkers are thought to have a lower risk of heart disease. Three to four cups per day may be helpful. We don’t know why, but it could be the flavonoid anti-oxidants in tea.
Studies in the lab have shown that flavonoid anti-oxidants help blood vessels to be more flexible. This reduces the risk of heart attacks.
The types of black and green teas vary depending on the treatment after harvesting.
Does tea dehydrate you?
Tea is an excellent source of fluids to hydrate yourself.
Tea and Weight
The kilojoules in tea without sugar or milk are virtually nonexistent. Many green tea products are marketed as weight loss aids. However, it would be best if you used common sense when drinking them for that purpose.
Some studies have shown that flavonoid anti-oxidants in green tea can increase fat loss. However, these studies involved large amounts of drinking (up to 8 cups per day), and further research is required.
Weight loss is more dependent on what and how you eat and how you exercise.
The Ritual
Many people find that a cup or two of tea can help them relax and recharge. Even the simple act of boiling water, adding the tea leaves or bag, and steeping it until you like the taste is a daily ritual.
The tea ceremony in Japan is an opportunity to express respect and hospitality towards guests, as well as to enjoy the Beverly.
What are the downsides?
Tea flavonoids may inhibit iron absorption from vegetable foods such as nuts and whole grains.
This may not be an issue for people with adequate iron levels who consume iron-rich animal foods. However, for those who are at risk of iron deficiencies, this could be a problem.
For this reason, it’s best to avoid serving tea with meals if you are a vegetarian, pregnant woman, or teenage girl.
Crunching tea numbers
* Three cups of green tea per day provide 10% of the daily recommended intake of folate.
* L-theanine is active in two to three cups. It helps with alertness and relaxation.
* Drinking three to four cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of heart disease.
The recommended daily caffeine limit is 300mg per six cups of tea.
The ideal steeping time for black, herbal, and white teas is between three to five minutes. Green and oolong are best steeped for one to three minutes.
What is in tea?
Herbal Teas: “Teas” such as peppermint and chamomile are not actually teas but are made of dried leaves and flowers.
Caffeine Green and black teas do contain caffeine but in smaller amounts than coffee. The average cup contains 50mg, compared to 80mg in an average instant coffee cup. Espresso, filter, or plunger coffees contain more.
Three to four cups a day of tea is the maximum amount for healthy adults.
L-theanine: This unique amino acid is only found in wild bay bolete mushrooms in Europe and North America. L-theanine, found in quantities of two to three tea cups, promotes the alpha brain waves that produce a relaxed but alert state of mind.
Brews hints: Different teas are best served with different water temperatures. Black and herbal teas, for example, should be taken just off the heat. Green, white, and oolong – just below boiling.
