The Many Reasons to Indulge in Tea Time (Part One)

Tea has many medicinal benefits that can improve your overall health and your well-being.

Are you a coffee drinker who has sworn never to defect to the opposite camp- that of the tea drinkers? If yes then perhaps you will reconsider after you discover the many health benefits that tea brings with it. Besides who says you can like one but not the other?!

The Goodness of Tea

Tea is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Don’t be offended coffee drinkers but a cup of tea contains less than half of the amount of caffeine found in coffee. As well, it is kinder to the digestive system and the body as a whole. Tea absorbs slowly into the body and does not have the same jolt to it as coffee does but it will keep your immune system in top notch working order and it will get your energy level up into the “I’m ready to take on the day!” frame of mind.

Tea comes from the tea plant (naturally). The technical term for the tea plant is Camellia sinensis. There are different types of tea and all are beneficial to your health. There is black tea, green tea, white tea and oolong tea. Black tea is fermented (that is what the process is called but in actuality the leaves are oxidized but fermentation does not occur). Green tea and white tea are not fermented and are said to boost the greatest benefits to health. Oolong tea which is the lesser known of the four types is semi-fermented and is a combination of the characteristics of both black and green tea. So in that way it is the better of the two tea worlds!

Why then should you indulge in what is considered to be the world’s most popular beverage? (Sorry coffee drinkers!) Why not? Read on and we will tell you.

First Reason
Tea is composed of a type of flavonoid called catechins. Catechins are antioxidants that can also be found in dark chocolate and red wine. Catechins are what strengthens the immune system and allows it to work at the top of its game. This is helped along by biotin (also known as vitamin H) which is a part of tea and is also instrumental in maintaining a healthy immune system.

Other benefits of flavonoids found in tea include:

•    prevention of damage to cells
•    prevention of heart disease
•    prevention of skin disease (and DNA damage caused by overexposure to UV rays)
•    reduces the risk of cancer

Second Reason
Vitamin D helps to build strong and resilient bones. Tea contains a fair share of this vitamin. Amino acids are also plentiful in tea and they work to build up protein levels in the body. This leads to stronger bones and muscles. It also contributes to healthier hair, a clear complexion, and fewer skin problems. As well, the amino acids are worthy opponents of many types of bacteria and viruses.

Third Reason
There is an antioxidant in green tea called EGCg which reduces the death of cells following a stroke or heart attack and it also speeds up the rate at which cells in the heart recover.  The abundance of flavonoids in green tea is also believed to decrease the build up of cholesterol in the arteries, thereby reducing the potential that coronary artery disease will occur. Tea also has tremendous anti-inflammatory properties and it improves the manner in which blood vessels do their job.

Do you need more reasons than given here to indulge in tea time? If yes then continue on to part two in my next blog post (and put the kettle on while you are at it!)

Samantha