9 Health Benefits of Tea that may surprise you
For thousands of years, tea has been used for healing, health and wellbeing in many cultures across the world - for both relaxation and ritual. And while many of us appreciate the calm, comfort and hydration of sipping on a warm and delicious cup of tea, few fully understand the benefits it can have for our wellbeing. So why not put the kettle on, pour yourself a cup of your favourite tea, and to discover the wonderful effects tea can have on mental and physical wellbeing.
Physical health
The first five benefits of drinking tea are related to optimising your physical health:
- Fight disease
The first benefit of tea is the antioxidant properties, which are very important for our body to stay healthy and fight against diseases. Antioxidants help us fight free radicals, a type of molecule that damages cells and can cause cancer or other illnesses.
The antioxidants found in green tea have been proven effective at preventing heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many more. Green tea also contains catechins, which are powerful anti-cancer agents. They can prevent cell damage by stopping DNA from being damaged.
- Boost the immune system
Another great benefit of drinking tea is its ability to boost your immunity. Tea has natural compounds called polyphenols that protect you from infections and viruses. It helps strengthen your white blood cells so they work better when it's time to fight off bacteria and germs. Drinking tea regularly can support your immune system so that it’s strong and ready to defend your health.
- Improve digestive health
Tea has long been used to improve digestive health and combat problems such as constipation and indigestion. This is because tea stimulates bile production, which aids with digestion. In addition, it increases gastric acid secretion, helping break down food particles before they reach the small intestine.
- Weight loss
There are various compounds in tea which exhibit measurable weight-loss properties in a majority of studies, including the flavins in black tea, and polyphenol metabolites in dark tea and EGCG in green tea.
- Improved energy
Caffeine can also boost your energy levels throughout the morning so you won't feel tired all day long. Drinking water after meals is another great way to keep yourself hydrated. This will make sure you don't get bloated and full up on food.
Mental wellbeing
The next four benefits of drinking tea are to do with supporting and improving mental wellbeing:
- Relieve stress
If you're feeling stressed, a cup of herbal tea may be just what you need. Tea relaxes both mind and body, making it perfect for relieving anxiety and tension. If you want something stronger than regular black tea, try rooibos tea instead. Rooibos tea is rich in flavonoids, compounds that give red wine their colour. These compounds offer similar effects to those of caffeine but without any jitters.
- Fight depression
Drinking tea on a regular basis can be beneficial when suffering from depression. One study has found a clear association between tea consumption and the risk of depression, with three cups a day of tea consumption being associated with a decrease in the risk of depression by 37%.
- Better sleep
Better sleep is related to both physical and mental wellbeing. If you don’t get enough sleep it can negatively impact your physical performance, your mood, and your cognitive function. A recent study shows that consuming four cups of tea each day could lead to improved sleep quality. Researchers believe this is due to the fact that caffeine acts like adenosine receptors, blocking them and causing drowsiness.
- Better cognitive performance
A study has found that total tea consumption (black/oolong tea and green tea) may be associated with better cognition, memory, executive function, and information processing speed. In other words, better cognitive performance. Perhaps surprisingly, in this study there was no association between coffee consumption and cognitive function, so next time you want a cuppa before an important exam or while working at the office, reach for tea rather than coffee.
The bottom line for your health and wellbeing
Tea is a great addition to a healthy diet if you are looking for a beverage that may help boost immunity, protect against various diseases, improve your mood and cognitive performance, and provide other positive health and wellbeing effects. Best of all, it’s quick and easy to make and can be taken with you, anywhere you go. Check out our delicious range of herbal and caffeinated teas in our shop.
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