Tea has become a part of our everyday lives. Whether hot or cold, it is a go-to beverage in its various forms. Tea can be made from almost anything. From leaves to herbs, and everything in between, depending on the flavor or health benefits you’re looking for.
Numerous studies have shown how tea can benefit our health in various ways. These benefits range from boosting your immune system to even helping protect the body from cancer and heart disease.
Drinking Tea Benefits Longevity
Rooibos Tea
Perhaps one of the most popular teas due to its health benefits, this is a red herbal tea that comes from the Aspalathus linearis shrub native to South Africa. Typically enjoyed as a healthier alternative due to its lack of caffeine content, Rooibos tea is suitable for people who are pregnant, or sensitive to caffeine, which is present in black tea and green tea.
- Heart Health: In a study, it was found that those who drank six cups of rooibos daily for 6 weeks had shown a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. After this 6-week period, it was seen that the participants had shown reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also had increased high-density lipoprotein (good) cholesterol. Another study had shown that rooibos tea inhibited the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), (which is responsible for increasing blood pressure) 30–60 minutes after consumption.
The Republic of Tea Good Hope Vanilla Red Tea
- Diabetes Management: Rooibos tea has been found to be high in Aspalathin, which has been shown to have anti-diabetic potential. This antioxidant has been shown to reduce vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. These are both factors in the development of heart problems. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), people who have diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than those who don’t have it.
Chamomile Tea
Widely known as “calming tea”, Chamomile Tea has attracted the attention of researchers. Many studies have them exploring chamomile tea’s effectiveness in managing illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.
Dr. Chris D’Adamo is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He explains how chamomile has been medicinally used for its therapeutic remedies for “hundreds of years, if not more”. In fact, its most common use is for the treatment of anxiety.
- Anxiety: According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, which makes it the most common mental illness in the United States. Studies have shown that chamomile is effective in aiding relaxation, thus helping with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Also, a study in the journal Phytomedicine found that long-term use of chamomile has been shown to “significantly reduce moderate-to-severe symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder (the most common type of anxiety disorder)”.
Celestial Seasonings Herbal Tea
- Heart Health: Chamomile tea contains numerous antioxidants, one of them being flavones. Studies have shown that flavonoids can lower blood pressure, due to their ability to relax blood vessels and arteries. It’s also been found to lower cholesterol levels, including triglycerides and “bad” LDL cholesterol.
- Cancer Defense: A specific flavone found in chamomile tea is Apigenin, which is known as a very potent anti-cancer compound. Apigenin has been demonstrated to show broad anti-cancer effects in various types of cancer. These include breast cancer, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer. Apigenin has been shown to suppress these cancers in vitro and in vivo through biological effects, including cell apoptosis.
Green Tea
Green tea is considered one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. From its high antioxidant content to supporting brain function and cancer protection, this tea is truly Mother Nature’s gift to humankind.
- Improved Brain Function: Green tea’s key active ingredient is Caffeine, which has been shown to be a brain-boosting compound. Although it doesn’t contain as much as coffee, it contains just enough to give you that brain boost without a jittery effect.
- Anti-Anxiety Effects: Green tea also contains L-Theanine, which is more than just another brain-boosting compound. This amino acid, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, increases the release of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter with anti-anxiety effects. It is also responsible for the increase of dopamine, having a direct impact on your mood. Studies have shown that the combination of these two can be powerful in improving brain function, with many people reporting a stable energy release with increased productivity, in comparison to having coffee.
Taylors of Harrogate Green Tea with Jasmine
- Lowered Risk of Cancer: Since it contains powerful antioxidants, studies have shown that green tea can significantly lower the risk of various cancers, including:
- Breast Cancer: A recent study review showed that women who drink green tea had a 20-30% lower risk of developing breast cancer.
- Colorectal Cancer: Another study review that analyzed 29 other studies showed that drinking green tea lowers your risk of developing colorectal cancer by 42%.
Hibiscus Tea
Made by steeping the hibiscus plant in boiling water, Hibiscus Tea has a “tart” flavor. It is quite similar to cranberries, making it a tasty tea you can enjoy cold or hot. Made from hibiscus sabdariffa, this tea has protective and healing properties, including:
- Lowered Blood Pressure: Over time, high blood pressure can place extra strain on the heart, making it weaken, and increasing your risk of heart disease. In one study, 46 people with high blood pressure were given either hibiscus tea or a placebo. After one month, those who had drunk the tea had shown a greater decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, compared to the placebo.
The Republic of Tea Natural Hibiscus Superflower Tea
- Lowered Blood Fat: Studies have found that hibiscus tea may help lower blood fat, which is another risk factor for heart disease.
In fact, one study found that among 60 people with diabetes, those who had drunk hibiscus tea for one month had experienced increased levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. They also experienced decreased levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, making it the most effective tea at doing this.
More Than Just A Tasty Beverage
Tea has shown that it is more than just a tasty beverage. As nature’s medicine in liquid form, tea can be very beneficial for various aspects of your health.
From your heart to your liver, tea can be vital to ensuring you live a long, healthy life. We see this in how centenarians from Asian countries attribute their longevity to adding some tea to their daily routine. This is not just for taste, but for the effect it has on the various aspects of their health. This is something that is fairly simple to implement into your diet and routine. So, the next time you go grocery shopping, pop into the tea aisle and get your hand on nature’s medicine.
MAIN IMAGE CREDIT:五玄土 ORIENTO on Unsplash
References
- Shang, A., Li, J., Zhou, D.D., Gan, R.Y. and Li, H.B., 2021. Molecular mechanisms underlying health benefits of tea compounds. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 172, pp.181-200.
- Suzuki, T., Miyoshi, N., Hayakawa, S., Imai, S., Isemura, M. and Nakamura, Y., 2016. Health benefits of tea consumption. Beverage Impacts on Health and Nutrition: Second Edition, pp.49-67.
