Health Benefits of Tea

In 2737 B.C, the second emperor of China, Shen Nung, discovered tea when some tea leaves blew into his cup of hot water. He sipped onto the water seeped with the leaves, and the rest as they say is history. By 400 A.D, tea became an important aspect of the Chinese life. Their herbalists gave detailed information for infusing tea, and enhanced its preparation by adding other spices and citrus concentrations to it. Chinese traditional medicine doctors encouraged the consumption of this beverage. As trade with China expanded with other countries, the culture of drinking tea too spread. Presently, tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world after water.

Benefits of Drinking Tea

Presently six varieties of tea are available; white, green tea, yellow, oolong tea, black tea and pu-erh. They are all made from the same species of the Camellia sinensis plant, what makes each tea distinct from each other is the different leaf variety, process, added flavorings and of course the method of preparation.

Antioxidant: Tea contains antioxidants that inhibit the growth of free radicals, besides this, it also scavenges for them and aids the body in removing all toxins. In other words a cup of tea protects the body from the damaging effects of all pollutants.

Cancer Protection: Tea leaves contain the powerful antioxidant polyphenols that are known for their anti-cancer properties. According to Hirofumi Tachibana his team at Kyushu University, Japan, state that green tea contains the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate that can protect against different types of cancer such as lung, breast, prostate, ovarian, skin, colon, etc.

Heart Protection: Drinking three to four cups of tea supplies enough antioxidant flavonoids. This antioxidant helps steady heart health by decreasing lipid oxidation reducing the chances of a stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Tea consumption also aids in keeping the arteries and veins clear, ensuring smooth blood vessel functioning.

Strong Bones: Tea with or without milk helps in strengthening your bones. It provides beneficial phytochemical properties essential for the body.

Improvised Immune System: Tea builds the body's resistance to infection, especially the ones infused with a variety of herbs. By inhibiting free radicals tea strengthens the immune system providing protection to the organs against infection.

Dental Health: Tea contains fluoride and tannins that do help to keep plaque at bay, moreover tea also has some antibacterial properties that reduces the incidence of tooth and gum decay. But people do equate tooth decay with tea consumption. However, drinking tea does not cause you plaque or decay, it is the amount of sugar that one adds in the tea that is the real culprit as tea by itself is not sweet and carries no calories. If it is sweet tea you want, add honey rather than sugar to your cup of tea.

Tea also stimulates the mind and refreshes it along with hydrating the body. To enjoy tea and its benefits, just brew it for 3-5 minutes to bring out the beneficial antioxidants fore.