Kick back and relax with a cup or tea and enjoy its health benefits
Around the world, millions drink tea as it is steeped in may cultures and traditions, and after water, it is the second most consumed drink. That relaxing aromatic cup of tea you often have has more health benefits than you realise as the phytochemicals found in tea reduce the risk of disease. Read on to find out the health advantages of drinking tea.
Regular tea drinkers have been found to have a higher bones density that those who don't drink it. Making sure you have strong bones will decrease your risk of osteoporosis, which many women are vulnerable to, especially after menopause.
Drinking tea can protect the heart. Researchers have found that drinking tea on a regular basis can help to lower cholesterol and prevent blood clots. By having low cholesterol, you reduce your risk of high blood pressure and protect the heart from disease.
Tea can also help to keep your teeth white and protect against decay as it contains tannins and fluoride which helps to prevent plaque. It's the sugar that people add to their tea which makes it bad for their teeth.
Tea is good for weight loss as it doesn't have any calories, except when milk or sugar are added. Studies have shown that green tea extract fights obesity and flavonoids, found in green tea can help increase the speed of your metabolism and therefore calorie burning.
Drinking black tea has been found to increase and improve a person's blood circulation therefore, reducing risk of heart disease and ensuring that plenty of blood and oxygen reach all the vitals. Adding milk however, decreases the beneficial effect.
Tea, especially green tea, contains plenty of antioxidants which are important for maintaining good health. They fight free radicals which cause damage to the cells and studies found that they have anti-carcinogenic effects by inhibiting the growth of cancer.
These antioxidants also help repair and regenerate the cells, including the skin cells which indicates they could have anti-aging benefits. Tea is believed to slow the process of wrinkles, fine lines and age spots, all associated with aging.
Many cultures around the world drink tea after a meal. The benefits of this is that the tannins found in tea have been found to help with digestion and improve it.
Black tea has been found to be good for the brain as it has calming effects and reduces stress hormones which damage the brain. Studies on green tea in Japan have also found that it can help to reduce the risk cognitive decline.
Flora McCraith, MSN, 03/08/2011
