After long years of research, Western medicine discovered what Eastern cultures had known for centuries: tea is the healthiest drink. There is nothing more satisfying for tea lovers than knowing that the experts stand behind our beliefs.
Multiple publications from the US National Center for Biotechnology Information show that green tea has myriad health benefits. The following list outlining the health benefits of regular green tea consumption is based on a variety of studies investigating the health properties of green tea.
Green tea, when drunk regularly:
1. Has Fat Burning Properties
Drinking green tea regularly promotes weight loss, especially when combined with increased physical activity and a healthy diet.
2. Regulates the blood glucose level in the bloodstream
3. Reduces cholesterol level
Green tea is proven to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels and improve the ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol.
4. Improves mental performance
One of the important health benefits of regular consumption of green tea is the improvement of memory and learning ability.
5.Provides Protection Against Coronary Artery Disease
Japanese studies confirm that the more green tea people consume, the less likely they are to have coronary artery disease.
6. Reduces inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract
Green tea was found to reduce inflammation by activating intracellular antioxidants.
7. Improves Bone Mineral Density
8. Provides Protection Against Cancer
As a rich source of EGCG polyphenols, green tea protects against cancer (particularly colon, lung, and skin cancers).
9. Protects the skin against the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation, such as UV-induced sunburn, UV-induced immunosuppression, and photoaging.
References: Publications of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, US National Library of Medicine.
Green tea is becoming more and more popular in western cultures. Experts believe that drinking a minimum of 2 cups of green tea every day can help you achieve the health benefits described above. Eastern philosophers add that meditation over a cup of tea brings happiness and longevity. One is sure: drinking tea follows a proven, traditional, natural approach to health and is much less risky than trying all the new medicine today.
But what exactly is green tea?
Green Tea It is the variety that maintains the original color of the tea. Green tea is believed to have the most medicinal values. It contains the least caffeine of all kinds of Chinese tea. Since the leaves are not fermented, the taste is pleasantly fresh. Green teas feature a wide range of flavors, from sweet and nutty to fruity and floral. The most famous teas in this group are: Longjing tea from Zhejiang province, Maofeng from Huangshan Mountain in Anhui province, and Biluochun produced in Jiangsu.
The health benefits of green tea are seemingly endless. It is a rich source of antioxidants, called polyphenols, which benefit health in many ways. Studies around the world have shown that Chinese green tea helps prevent cancer, aids in digestion, improves weight control, and improves artery health. Green tea’s ability to prevent cancer is so well established that new studies are testing green tea as a potential cancer therapy.
Researchers have shown that green tea blocks the formation of certain tumors. Green tea also helps reduce anxiety, maintaining a very alert state of mind, thanks to its high level of L-theanine. Supports metabolism and lowers blood sugar levels. Green tea is rich in catechins that effectively kill almost all types of bacteria that cause food poisoning. It also inactivates the toxins that are produced by those bacteria. At the same time, it promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
Although green tea appears to be the most popular variety in scientific research, other types of tea also deserve our attention.
black tea it is known in China as “red tea” (hong cha) in reference to the color of the infused liquid or the red edges of the rusty leaves. This category of tea is fermented before baking. Black teas are generally mild in flavor. The most famous teas in this group are: Qihong from Anhui, Dianhong from Yunnan, Suhong from Jiangsu, Chuanhong from Sichuan and Huhong from Hunan.
Black tea helps lower cholesterol and is good for the heart. Drinking black tea helps prevent deadly clogged arteries and reverses poor arterial function that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Tea has long been linked to a lower risk of stomach malfunction, colon cancer, and breast cancer. Laboratory studies revealed that black tea can even stop the growth of cancer. Researchers at Rutgers University showed that a black tea compound called TF-2 caused colorectal cancer cells to “commit suicide,” while normal cells were unaffected. Black tea can neutralize germs, including some that cause diarrhea, pneumonia, cystitis, and skin infections.
Pu-Erh (also spelled Puer, Pu-Er, Puerh) it is a very special and unique style of tea. This type of post-fermented tea is processed using only sun-dried large-leaved tea leaves from certain areas. The best quality Pu-erh comes from Yunnan province in southwest China, including the Xishuangbanna area, Simao, and Pu-Er county.
Chinese Pu-erh tea is the greatest mystery of tea, famous for its health benefits, very low levels of caffeine and a rich, unique and comforting taste. The secret lies in the aging process. Pu-erh is considered a special delicacy and an indispensable part of daily health care. Pu-Er tea is very good for the digestive system (it helps to reduce body weight by increasing metabolism), lowers the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream, reduces alcohol in the blood after drinking, prevents dysentery and stimulates secretions from the spleen and other organs.
Wulong (Oolong) The tea represents a variety halfway between green and black teas. It is prepared by allowing the collected tea leaves to partially ferment before frying. Oolong is a full-bodied tea with a unique and very pleasant sweet floral character. It is a specialty of the provinces of the southeast coast of China: Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan. The best varieties are still made by hand following the traditional manufacturing process.
Oolong tea enhances the function of fat metabolism, controlling obesity and even contributing to weight loss. Oolong tea can promote healthier, stronger bones, protecting people from diseases like osteoporosis. Like other varieties of tea, Oolong can fight cavities and may help prevent heart disease.
White tea it is the least processed of all tea categories. It just withers and steams dry. White tea gets its designation from the fine, silvery-white hairs found on the unopened flower buds of the camellia sinensis plant. White tea leaves have a striking appearance. They usually have a light silver color. White teas are the rarest in the world, produced on a very limited scale in China. Traditionally harvested only at dawn in four provinces, white tea is a delicate and subtle pleasure for quiet moments. These teas are characterized by an extraordinary fresh fragrance that is both subtle and sweet. The aroma is deliciously smooth with a mild flavor. Known varieties include “Silver Needle” and “White Peony”.
White teas are a higher source of antioxidants than any other tea. They can lower blood pressure and improve the function of the arteries. They promote strong bones. White tea helps protect the skin from damage and may even reverse some of the damage caused by free radicals. It has great antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial effects. This group of tea is even more effective than green tea in killing germs. White tea extracts are used in many types of toothpastes to enhance their antibacterial effects. White tea can lower blood sugar and help relieve diabetes symptoms.
herbal teas (also known as tisane or herbal tea) contain only herbs or combine herbs with regular tea leaves. Herbal teas are made using scientific technology based on ancient recipes from Chinese medicine masters. They have already won many loyal customers around the world due to their reliable qualities and effective function.
By infusing a teaspoon of herbs like mint, tulsi, ginger, chamomile, jasmine (and many others), their medicinal properties seep into the water giving drinkers their desired effect. Depending on the herbs used, it can be laxative, curative, cooling, sedative, or antacid in nature.
mixes It is possible to combine the positive characters of different teas by mixing them. Tea merchants blend teas from different cultivars or even origins to maintain the flavor, aroma, character, and price of the tea for longer periods of time. English Breakfast is one of the most recognized mixes available on the market.
Whichever variety of tea you prefer, remember that it is important to choose only good quality, fresh tea. Loose leaf tea, which contains whole leaves and buds, appears to be more effective than tea bags containing larger, less fresh leaves.
And remember: tea is there to be enjoyed! Enjoy it first and treat the health benefits as a side effect.
