US panellists recently listed tea, after water, as the best beverage to fulfil our daily fluid needs. Leading British nutritionist Fiona Hunter agrees that there are countless good reasons why every family member should indulge in this beverage:
Advertisement
Black teas, like English breakfast tea and Earl Grey, can help cut the risk of heart disease and reduce cholesterol in the long run.
Certain other teas have very specific benefits. For example, chamomile tea is known to help with sleep and relaxation, peppermint tea aids digestion, and ginger tea can help treat nausea.
Rich in antioxidants
Tea has been used medicinally in China for thousands of years, but scientists only recently discovered that tea contains hundreds of compounds that actively benefit the body.
At the forefront of these compounds are so-called flavonoids, which act as powerful antioxidants. In this way, these compounds help protect the body against the damage that can be done by free radicals.
Free radicals are generated by the body as a result of pollution, smoking and exposure to sunlight, and can damage the body’s cell walls and genetic material within cells.
Free radicals play a significant role in the development of heart disease, strokes and cancer.
Tea has one of the highest flavonoid contents of all plants. One cup of tea contains three times the antioxidant power of a whole apple, for example.
Three cups of tea a day for two weeks increases the number of flavonoids in the blood by 25 percent, and it’s the same for black and green tea, with or without milk.
More health benefits
Green tea has been shown to help prevent high blood pressure.
And emerging research also suggests that tea changes the environment in the stomach in such a way that friendly bacteria, which aid digestion, are helped to survive. For this reason, green tea is thought to help protect against bowel cancer.
The caffeine in tea has been shown by some studies to help improve mood and relieve fatigue without the buzz associated with coffee.
Contrary to popular belief, the amount of caffeine in tea is half that of coffee, so most people can drink a cuppa before retiring, and still enjoy a good night's sleep.
What’s more, headache sufferers claim tea helps to improve their headaches, because of the caffeine (which is an ingredient of many cold and flu remedies).
For people who wish to avoid caffeine, however, a number of decaffeinated and caffeine-free infusions are available.
Tea is also beneficial in that it contains fluoride for stronger teeth. Studies have shown that people who regularly drink black or green tea are less likely to suffer from dental cavities.
Tea is also thought to have antibacterial properties. The flavonoids help to stop the growth of plaque bacteria and make it more difficult for these bacteria to stick to the tooth enamel, slowing the development of gum disease.
Key to proper hydration
Finally, tea helps to keep you hydrated. Tea can be included in the recommended daily fluid allowance and drinking tea throughout the day can prevent dehydration. Also, tea contains potassium, which helps to maintain the body’s fluid balance.
In short, tea is so much more than a great tasting drink. The compounds it contains can offer real health benefits.
Fiona Hunter says: “Evidence around the world gathers each day to demonstrate how beneficial drinking all teas can be to health. The great thing is that drinking tea regularly is such an easy and simple step to better health.”
Bookmark with:
What are social bookmarks?