An Overview of the Health Benefits of Tea
Tea is a wonderful beverage that has been recognized for centuries, especially in China as having many health benefits. Today the medical community is beginning to shower praise in the form of research studies and reports about the many positive benefits tea has on overall health and well-being. We have listed below a brief summary of some of the presently substantiated conclusions, but this is by no way complete, since research is continually being done and new findings regarding the benefits of tea are constantly being released. We will keep you up-dated on these.
CANCER – Research is showing that the antioxidant properties of tea have an effect against cancer by inhibiting formation of cancer causing substances.
IMMUNITY – Polyphenols, the primary biological active ingredients of tea have been shown to help increase the white blood cell count, which is responsible for fighting infection. The high vitamin C content found primarily in green tea also helps to strengthen the immune system.
CARDIOVASCULAR – Cardiovascular research suggests that a diet rich in the antioxidants found in tea, is able to help prevent heart disease and stroke. The tea antioxidants have been shown to stimulate the circulatory system, to strengthen the blood vessels and to decrease the cholesterol level in the blood stream.
DIGESTION – Polyphenols and the essential oils which develop during the production process of tea aid digestion by increasing the flow of digestive juices. Drinking tea during or after a high-cholesterol meal has been shown to lessen the increase in the fat content of the blood.
BODY WEIGHT – There are indications that certain teas ( green teas) can assist in reducing weight by having an effect on the fats in the blood stream and in the tissues.
TEETH AND BONES – Many dentists recommend drinking tea because it is rich in fluorides, a mineral that strengthens both tooth enamel and bones in a fight against osteoporosis. The polyphenols in tea were shown to effect the bacteria in the mouth, thereby reducing the formation of plaque.
GERMICIDE & ANTIBACTERIAL – Some studies indicate that tea acts as a mild germicide. In the digestive tract it helps fight food poisoning and diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Tea is used in China to disinfect cuts and abrasions and to cure skin disease.
MENTAL ACTIVITY – Tests have shown that tea dinking improves concentration, alertness and problem-solving ability.
LONGEVITY – The sum of curative and preventive health benefits of tea seems to indicate that tea has life-prolonging properties.
While the researchers are searching for answers and resolutions among test tubes and Petri dishes, we continue our search among our tea pots, tasting and sniffing cups for the simple pleasure that fine teas offer us daily.