The benefits of drinking tea are plenty. There are a number of reasons why people love to settle in with a nice cup of hot tea. The flavours and aromas from all of the different types of tea are pleasing to the senses.
There is nothing better than curling up with a blanket and a hot cup of tea out on the patio in the early morning. That is, perhaps, except sipping tea as you enjoy a good book in front of the fireplace.
The benefits of drinking tea go far beyond just a great way to relax; drinking tea is also beneficial to your health in several ways.
3 Benefits of Drinking Tea
1) Tea Contain Powerful Antioxidants
One of the benefits of drinking tea is that it contains powerful antioxidants that work to keep your body functioning properly as you age. Antioxidants also protect you from the harmful effects of toxins in the air and other pollutants.
2) Tea Has Lower Caffeine Levels Than Coffee
Another of the benefits of drinking tea is that it contains a lower amount of caffeine than coffee and many cola varieties. Tea has as low as half, or even a third of the amount of caffeine than what you will get in a cup of coffee.
If coffee leaves you feeling jittery and unable to sleep, or you have frequent headaches or indigestion, you may want to consider making the switch and take advantage of the benefits of drinking tea.
3) Tea May Help Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
The benefits of drinking tea include decreasing your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. The benefits of drinking tea on a regular basis include keeping the arteries in your body smooth and free from clogs. Just a couple of cups of tea a day can significantly lower your risk of serious heart problems.
4 Different Types of Tea
Studies have concluded that the benefits of drinking tea are plentiful. A wide array of different teas are available, including:
Black tea – caffeine 40-60 mg per cup
This variety of tea typically comes from India or China. It is usually named for the area where it was produced like Darjeeling.
White tea – caffeine 6 – 25 mg per cup
This type of tea comes from the tiny buds and the younger tea leaves. It is picked in the spring, just before the buds open all of the way. White tea is named for the soft, silvery down that covers the young bud that turns white when it completes the drying process.
The highest quality and highest priced white tea comes solely from the buds. The white tea buds are steamed and dried using minimal processing. The benefits of drinking tea are in abundance with white tea, which contains a greater amount of antioxidants than black or green tea.
Green tea – caffeine 15-30 mg per cup
This variety comes from tea leaves that have been allowed to mature longer than white tea leaves. Studies have shown that the benefits of drinking tea, especially green tea, include reducing the chances for oesophageal cancer and contributing to preventing cancer cell growth. Medical practices in India and China have used green tea for improved heart health for many, many years.
Red Tea – caffeine free
This variety does not actually come from a tea. Red tea comes from a shrub that is the member of the legume family that comes solely from the South African Cedarberg Mountains. It is caffeine free and does not have any bitterness to the flavour.
The benefits of drinking tea of the variety are favoured by women who are pregnant or nursing or anyone with a digestive disorder. Red tea is high in antioxidants and has a number of additional health benefits.
Any one of these teas is an ideal alternative to colas and alcoholic drinks. Add any one or all of these varieties to your regular diet to experience the benefits of drinking tea.
Just as there are several varieties of tea from which you can choose, the benefits of drinking tea are in great abundance, no matter which variety you choose.
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