Healthy tea: Drinking tea and its health benefits

Why is tea healthy?

Tea contains polyphenols, a category of natural plant compounds. The main polyphenols found in tea are catechins and epicatechins. Polyphenols are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, all teas share these benefits. However, depending on how tea leaves have been processed (to make white, black or green tea), you will get added virtues.

Green Tea

Green tea, enjoyed in the Far East for thousands of years, is reputed for its numerous health benefits. Green tea is a great all rounder thanks to its fantastic antioxidant properties. As the fermentation of its leaves is stopped quickly after harvesting, green tea keeps the majority of its catechins, natural antioxidants known to protect cells from damage. Japanese Sencha Green Tea has the highest content of this molecule. Green tea may help with:

• lowering your risks of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by protecting brain cells
• losing weight (providing you don’t add sugar and have a healthy lifestyle)
• protecting your skin from aging or sun damage
• reducing risks of Type 2 Diabetes and some types of cancer
• lowering or preventing infections by killing some bacteria in your mouth

Green tea is even better for your health when combined with certain plants and fruits that also have added health benefits.

Black Tea

Black tea is the world’s most popular tea by volume consumed. Unlike green tea, the leaves of black tea go through an oxidation process, giving black tea not only its dark colour, but also added nutrients. Black tea is notably linked to reducing cardiovascular risks.   Black tea contains various substances that may help with:

• lowering high blood pressure
• improving gut health & digestive problems
• boosting energy levels
• decreasing blood glucose for Diabetic patients
• relieving stress

White Tea

White tea is made of the first leaves and buds from the tea tree, so-called fine picking. It is a tea that hasn’t been processed much at all. It also contains less caffeine compared to black or green tea. White tea is rarer than other teas and is therefore more expensive. However, it retains the properties of fresh leaves better than any other kind of tea.   White tea may help you with:

• getting a better skin complexion & fighting skin issues
• reducing minor headaches & pains
• lowering risks of some types of cancer
• losing weight
• reducing anxiety

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a type of tea with incomplete oxidation – halfway between green tea and black tea. As such, it has all the properties of both teas. It may help with weight-loss, reducing cholesterol and stimulating your metabolism.

Matcha tea

A fine green tea powder, Matcha tea is very popular in milk-based drinks but also in the kitchen as a cooking ingredient. Matcha is the tea with the highest level of antioxidants, renowned for its fat-burning properties and for helping the immune system. It is also excellent for detoxing.

Rooibos

Also known as red bush tea, Rooibos grows exclusively in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa. It doesn’t contain any theine and very little tannin, rooibos can therefore be drunk in the evening or enjoyed by children. It may help fight against allergies, sleep disorders, skin problems and gastrointestinal issues.

As we’ve seen, tea is full of heath benefits. However, it is not a magic potion either: remember to do everything in moderation and lead a balanced lifestyle. Now it is up to you to decide which tea is going to be your best health ally! You can find a wide range of natural or flavoured healthy teas, loose leaf tea or tea in sachets, on our Maxicoffee.com website.