A new review has strengthened the health benefits from enjoying a cup a tea, as long as it is the right kind. I have shared many studies on the benefits of coffee, but let’s not forget about tea.
This new review has found that tea, and especially green tea, is strongly associated with reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and several forms of cancer.
Researchers also linked tea drinking with protecting the brain, reducing muscle loss and inflammation while supporting the antimicrobial effects of tea.
The right type of tea may improve your health. Just like the benefits of coffee, the benefits of tea come from freshly brewed black or green tea, not from bubble tea or bottled, ice tea (sorry, not sorry.)
The benefits of tea
When it comes to cardiovascular health, green tea provides the biggest benefits. Studies have shown that drinking green tea lowers blood pressure and improves cholesterol. Green tea drinkers also have lower rates of cardiovascular disease.
Green tea is the winner when it comes to preventing certain types of cancer and there are some studies showing that increased green tea consumption is associated with lower risk of lung and bladder cancer.
Tea could also help with weight loss and diabetes management. Tea drinking is linked to improved metabolic markers in obesity.
Tea may slow ageing. People who regularly drink tea have slower rates of cognitive decline and reduced rate of muscle loss.
Possible Hazards of Tea
Remember not all tea is created equal. Plain tea without added sugars or other ingredients, provides the full benefit. Unfortunately, there are pesticides, heavy metals and plastics in tea (or the tea bag.) While these may not be significant, over time a high tea consumption may add up and one study found that brewing tea reduced the amount of heavy metals found in water.
It is also important to remember that tea can interfere with the absorption of some other nutrients including non-heme iron (plant-based iron sources) and calcium so it is best to consume those separately.
How to make a proper cuppa
To enjoy tea, you need to make it properly.
- BOIL the water. You need boiling water, not just hot water.
- Heat the cup or pot before you make the tea. Rinse it out with near-boiling water.
- Place the teabag into the pot and then pour the boiling water into the tea pot or cup. DO NOT pour the water in the cup and then add the bag… (what kind of self-respecting tea drinker does this?)
- Finally, soak the bag in the water for at least two minutes, or more if you like your tea stronger. Remember to keep the teapot covered while the tea is brewing – no dunking the tea bag, leave it alone until the drink is ready!
- Make herbal teas with the same method.
Enjoy.
Change your mind, change your health,
Shayla
Eat better, live better and feel better.
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