Tea for two

beverage

This week You! takes a look at some healthy teas that you should include in your daily diet...

Tea is addictive. A hot cup of tea takes away all your worries and gives you instant energy. Since thousands of years, many people consider tea as an essential beverage.

But did you know that there are many types of tea available and each has different kinds of health benefits that we might be missing out on? Let’s have a look at the varieties of tea that can improve your health and can soothe your mind at the same time.

More on tea

Tea is a name given to a lot of brews including herbal ones. Most of the teas are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, a shrub native to China and India, and contain unique antioxidants called flavonoids. The most potent of these known as Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may help against free radicals that can contribute to cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries.

All these teas also have caffeine and theanine, which affect the brain and heighten mental alertness. Following are six of the famous teas:

Green tea:

Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG. Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers and also prevent clogging of the arteries. Other benefits include burning of fat, counteracting oxidative stress on the brain, reduction in the  risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and stroke, as well as improved cholesterol levels. One study shows that drinking one cup of green tea per day could decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by 10 per cent.

Black tea:

Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for flavoured teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke. Black tea also contains thearubigins and theaflavins, two types of antioxidants that have been linked to lower cholesterol level. Studies funded by the Tea Trade Health Research Association suggest that black tea reduces plaque formation as well as restricts bacteria growth that promotes the formation of cavities and tooth decays. Black tea is good for the heart, aids in cancer prevention, makes bones stronger, lowers risk of diabetes and works as a stress buster. Most importantly, black tea contains alkylamine antigens that help boost the immune system and gives one a kick of energy with each sip.

White tea:

White tea has a much milder flavour than any other tea and has less caffeine. But it offers the same potential cardiovascular and cancer-fighting benefits as other teas and also aids in keeping diabetes at bay.  However, the speciality of white tea is the effect it has on the outer appearance. Yes ladies, this tea is perfect for you as it contains anti-oxidants that not only help in cleaning our organs but also contains anti-ageing properties. This tea also protects the skin from ultra-violet rays. Last but not least, studies suggest that intake of white tea may prevent adipogenesis, the process of formation of fat cells. Hence, it can help one lose weight.

Chamomile tea:

Chamomile tea is an ancient natural remedy with many health benefits. Research shows that the antioxidants in chamomile tea help in slowing down the growth of cancer cells and prevent side effects of diabetes such as loss of vision, nerve and kidney damage. Unlike the teas mentioned above, chamomile tea is made from the flowers of the chamomile plant. The tea also helps in muscle spasms, menstrual cramps, digestion and stomach aches. This tea also contains properties that promote a smooth and healthy skin and also helps in weight loss. However, chamomile tea is more popular for the effect it has on one’s sleep pattern. Yes, a cup of this tea before going to bed will soothe the nervous system so that you can sleep better. No wonder the tea has been used as a solution for insomnia since centuries.

Lemon ginger tea:

Ginger has an active ingredient called zingiber and lemon contains the immune-boosting compounds pectin and limonene. This epic duo makes lemon ginger tea an effective weapon against bacterial infections and is gaining popularity because it boosts the immune system and increases blood circulation in the body that is vital for optimum health. The tea also brings instant relief from nausea and indigestion and lowers the effects of diabetes. It also has vitamins and anti-oxidants that are beneficial for skin and hair health. Lastly, it is an apt drink for weight loss as it normalises sugar levels and improves fat absorption. Both ginger and lemon have anti-inflammatory properties that prevent inflammations and enhance the activity of liver that helps in shedding those extra pounds.

Peppermint tea:

Peppermint is a delicious and refreshing way to boost your overall health in a number of ways. The tea improves digestion, reduces pain, eliminates inflammation, relaxes the body and mind, cures bad breath, aids in weight loss and boosts the immune system overall. Peppermint tea also relieves the symptoms of abdominal gas and bloating, and is also good for nausea and heartburn problems.