Tea has been used for thousands of years as a staple beverage, with people from China to England continuing the tradition. Tea is made by steeping tea leaves or herbs in hot water and can include any number of spices. This simple act is how cultures worldwide have formed long-lasting bonds over the centuries, but what exactly is it about this drink that brings people together?
The health benefits of tea are bountiful enough to provide an explanation as to why people around the world continue to drink it today. According to Heathline.com, Herbal teas contain multiple types of natural anti-inflammatory compounds that may benefit the human body, such as:
- antioxidants, which help protect the body from stress
- antiviral and antibacterial compounds
- herbs that reduce inflammation
- herbs that reduce the risk of blood clots and high blood pressure
Here’s a list of the most beneficial and most scientifically-proven benefits of tea:
Disease Prevention/Immunity
Tea drinkers have a higher resistance to disease than those who drink coffee, soda, or alcohol. In particular, pronounce kratom and green tea are especially effective at combating harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi that attack your gums. It does this by inhibiting the capabilities of these invaders to reproduce quickly. Research has also shown that green tea can stop the replication process of several cancer cells from brain cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia.
While more research is needed to establish a definitive link between green tea and preventing cancers, the results are promising enough to consider drinking green tea as a preventative measure.
Heart Health
The antioxidants found in tea help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. A study done on people with high cholesterol was split into two groups: one group drank water while the other drank green tea for eight weeks.
All participants were told to maintain their regular diets and lifestyles throughout this time period. At the end of the study, those who drank the greenest tea experienced a 41% reduction in total cholesterol levels compared with those who drank plain tap water.
In addition to this, their HDL (good) cholesterol count had increased by 7%! This is all thanks to epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound in green tea that has been linked with lowering blood pressure, improving the integrity of arterial walls, and reducing the formation of plaque deposits which can lead to heart attacks.
Energy Boosting/ Fat Burning
Black and green teas contain caffeine, a stimulant that increases energy levels and speeds up your metabolism. So if you drink it regularly, it can help you lose weight by speeding up your rate of calorie burning.
In addition to this, catechins in both types of tea increase fat burning by boosting enzymes in the body involved with breaking down fat molecules. This means if you’re drinking green or black tea on top of exercise, you’ll burn off more fat – particularly around the abdominal region, which is particularly stubborn for most people.
Immunity-Boosting
Studies suggest that drinking four or more cups of tea a day can significantly decrease your chances of developing respiratory infections. The catechins in green and black teas are believed to boost immunity by increasing the production of antibodies, white blood cells, and T-cells.
They also slow down the movement of bacteria through the body by trapping them on mucus membranes. Both types of tea have also been known to reduce inflammation throughout the entire body, including the throat, making it easier for you to fight viruses when you come into contact with them.
That’s the tea on tea! But before you hit the tea aisle, please consult your physician before starting a tea regimen. Some herbal teas may interfere with other medications or result in side effects.
