Health Benefits of Teas
Tea leaves contain more than 700 chemicals, among which the compounds closely related to human health are flavanoides, amino acids, vitamins (C, E and K), caffeine and polysaccharides. Moreover, tea drinking has recently proven to be associated with cell-mediated immune function of the human body. Tea plays an important role in improving beneficial intestinal microflora, as well as providing immunity against intestinal disorders and in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. Tea also prevents dental caries due to the presence of fluorine. The role of tea is well established in normalizing blood pressure, lipid depressing activity, prevention of coronary heart diseases and diabetes by reducing the blood-glucose activity. Tea also possesses germicidal and germistatic activities against various gram-positive and gram negative human pathogenic bacteria. Both green and black tea infusions contain a number of antioxidants, mainly catechins that have anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic and anti-tumoric properties.
The possible beneficial effects of tea consumption in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases have been demonstrated in animal models and suggested by studies in vitro. Similar beneficial effects, however, have not been convincingly demonstrated in humans: beneficial effects have been demonstrated in some studies but not in others. If such beneficial effects do exist in humans, they are likely to be mild, depending on many other lifestyle-related factors, and could be masked by confounding factors in certain populations. Another concern is that the amounts of tea consumed by humans are lower than the doses required for demonstrating the disease-prevention effects in animal models. Caution should be applied, however, in the use of high concentrations of tea for disease prevention. Ingestion of large amounts of tea may cause nutritional and other problems because of the caffeine content and the strong binding activities of tea polyphenols, although there are no solid data on the harmful effects of tea consumption. More research is needed to elucidate the biologic activities of green and black tea and to determine the optimal amount of tea consumption for possible health-beneficial effects.
Health Benefits of White Tea
White tea is the highest in antioxidants, aids in cleansing or detoxifying the body, helps fight cancer, helps increase your metabolism, and is the best for skin and complexion (helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles).
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Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea has the most of the EGCG complex, which is good for metabolism. It also has polyphenols for cancer prevention, boosts the immune system, helps regulate blood sugar, aids in detoxifying the body, and promotes healthy teeth, skin, and bones.
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Health Benefits of Oolong Tea
Drinking Oolong tea during or after a high-cholesterol meal has been shown to lower the intake of fat content in the blood. It also contains the most tannic acid, which is good for lowering cholesterol. Oolong tea is good for the skin as well and is a weight-loss tea, since it burns fat already built up in the body.
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Health Benefits of Black Tea
Black tea may assist in lowering cholesterol, which is good for the heart. Medical research suggests black tea helps to regulate blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and keep the blood vessels soft, because of the caffeine. Finally, black tea promotes healthy teeth, skin and bones.
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Health Benefits of Herbal Tea
Most Herbal teas are high in vitamin C and rich in antioxidants. The majority are also naturally caffeine free, but the actual health benefits differ from one herbal tea to another. See the individual teas for details.
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Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants and rich in vitamins and minerals. It is caffeine free, may aid in relieving allergies, increases iron absorption, and great for hair, teeth, skin, and bones. Rooibos tea is good for those with a sensitive central nervous system.
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Health Benefits of Mate Tea
Mate tea gives the most energy of any type of tea; they have 100% of the caffeine as a cup of coffee. Mate teas also help curb the appetite and contain 21 vitamins and minerals for the body.
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Health Benefits of Pu-erh Tea
The soothing properties, aid digestion and are perfect after heavy or greasy meals. More recent studies indicate powerful cholesterol lowering effects, blood cleansing properties and aid significantly in weight loss efforts. |
