ARE YOU DRINKING ENOUGH TEA?

Scientifically Proven Benefits of Tea for Your Mind and Body

Tea – at one time in the East – was regarded as a significant key to happiness, good health, and wisdom for thousands of years. Soon enough it caught the undivided attention of researchers from the West. These researchers were on a quest to discover the several benefits associated with different types of teas.

Many new and trendy drinks have come and gone, but tea has survived the onslaught of these energy drinks, and others like them.

But why is tea much loved, even more than coffee? Millions of people around the world prefer tea to coffee. And this is because of the scientifically proven health benefits that are linked to the consumption of the beverage.

The Different Types of Tea

Here are the different types of tea in existence today. Most of them provide unique health benefits that should never be taken for granted:

Green tea

White tea

Oolong tea

Black tea

Hibiscus

Pu-erh tea

Rooibos or red tea

Echinacea

Chamomile tea

Benefits of Drinking Tea

The following are the benefits of drinking tea:

Tea contains Bioactive Compounds that Enhance Overall Health

Most of the compounds present in tea leaves usually make it to the final stage, i.e. after leaching the tea bags.

These compounds contain significant amounts of health-enhancing nutrients. Tea is loaded with polyphenols which have been scientifically proven to combat cancer and to minimize inflammation.

Green tea is rich with EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), a catechin. Catechins are natural antioxidants which help in the prevention of cell damage. They also provide lots of additional health benefits.

Catechins can significantly reduce the development or occurrence of free radicals in the human body. They work by protecting both the molecules and cells from severe damage.

Free radical scavengers or free radicals, when left to their devices, usually play unpleasant roles in aging as well as other forms of diseases.

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is one of the most potent compounds in green tea. Research has shown that EGCG plays a significant role in the treatment of a wide range of diseases. This is one of the primary - and most significant - reasons why green tea, in particular, has useful medicinal properties.

So, always go for a high-quality brand of green tea like matcha green tea, which has up to three times much more EGCG than regular green tea.

The following are the health benefits of antioxidants:

They alleviate the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.

They support heart health by minimizing risk factors associated with heart disease, which includes cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.

Helps in weight loss, especially when consumed with caffeinated teas

They prevent degenerative brain disease

L-theanine for the Mind

Tea has significant effects on both the mind and the body. An organic compound that is present in both black and green tea is L-theanine amino acid. Only trace amounts can be found in food such as mushrooms and tea.

L-theanine can instigate the release of hormones that will make you feel calm. This is why it is essential to drink tea if your goal is to enhance your mental focus.

However, this amino acid also has other profound mental health benefits:

You will end up having better sleep

Your cognitive performance will be significantly boosted

Promotes weight loss, etc.

Other benefits of tea include:

Burning of fat

Enhances physical performance

Lowers the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, etc.

Tea will continue to be part of the essence of life, irrespective of whatever variety tickles your taste buds. So, brew up a cup or two of tea every day, but be careful not to consume in excessive amounts!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Brian Wallace