Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world after water.
Tea has magical powers. Tea consoles the lonely and unites the sociable.
Tea stimulates in hot countries and heats the body where it is cold.
Tea can alleviate or heal ailments of the body and the soul. Tea
drinking is a many-faceted pleasure: it can cause us to
dream, sharpen
our
minds, relax us, let us forget time and place, and
heal our body,
mind and
soul.
Fights Cancer:
According to a recent study recognized by the American Institute for
Cancer Research, a substance in
green tea has been found to halt a
specific stage in the cancer process more effectively than current
cancer drugs. In studies of liver, skin, and stomach cancer,
green and black teas were shown to decrease the size of tumors and either slow or
completely prevent breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
Preliminary results suggest that women who drink 3 or more cups of
green tea daily have a lower recurrence rate of early (Stage I) breast
cancer. Another study showed that women with ovarian cancer who drank at
least 1 cup of green tea daily were more than twice as likely to
survive as non-tea drinkers.
Other studies show similar protective effects of green tea in tissues of
the lung, esophagus, and pancreas.
Black, oolong, and green tea have
all been associated with ovarian cancer prevention.
What does tea contain that is so powerful?
Catechins. These plant chemicals have potent antioxidant
activity to help reduce the risk of cancer by fixing cell damage. Among
other roles, catechins have been shown to inhibit growth of tumor cells
and keep them from spreading to other parts of the body. Tea is the
best source of catechins in the human diet. Possibly because it is less
processed, green tea contains 3 times the catechins than black tea, and
catechin levels in white tea are even higher. The antioxidants in tea kill cancer
without damaging the surrounding cells. The polyphenols found in all tea
varieties have some of the highest free radical scavenging ability,
(free radicals promote oxidation, which scientists now believe causes
cancer).
Make Tea a Part of Your Diet!
Accelerates Weight Loss:
Green and Oolong teas boost your metabolism and
naturally increase your energy levels.
Green tea also raises the level of antioxidants. It's believed the
antioxidant catechins in green tea boost metabolism and helps burn fat.
Research reveals that oolong may have a stronger
effect than even green tea. It promotes
fat burning, helps
reduce cholesterol and the concentration of
fat in the body. About
two
cups per day is recommended.
Boosts Immunity:
Tea is both antiviral and
antibacterial due to compounds known as alkylamines. These antigens
“prime” the immune system, which
boosts the body’s immune response.
Prevents Heart Disease:
Tea reduces your risk of
high
blood pressure,
prevents blood clots and
keeps blood vessels relaxed. Tea reduces the progression of
plaque in arteries, the combination
of fat and cholesterol. Reviews of researchers at the University of
Western Australia said that the benefits of tea largely caused by
the levels of flavonoids, antioxidants that prevent cardiovascular
disease. A cup of tea contains 150-200 mg of flavonoids
.
People consuming at least one cup of tea a day reduced their risk of heart attack by almost 50%, a study found.
Strengthen Nervous System:
Tea
polyphenols stimulate the nervous system and increase brain alertness.
They also protect brain cells and slow deterioration caused by
neuro-degenerative diseases such as
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Unlike
higher caffeine beverages, tea stimulates brain function without causing
stress to the heart.
A
Tea for Nervous System is indeed helpful as it
contains an important amount of nutrients, enzymes, tannins, volatile
oils and minerals (
sodium, iron, magnesium and manganese).
Lowers Diabetes:
Research compiled by the Leibniz
Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf,
Germany found that consuming four cups of tea (especially black) each day reduces your risk
of developing type II diabetes by 20%. Tea also
regulates glucose
levels, allowing the body to
absorb sugar more slowly.
Increases Bone Density:
Scientific studies done at the
University of Cambridge School of Medicine showed that tea drinkers
have 5%
stronger bones than non-tea drinkers. While coffee seems to
weaken bone density, the flavonoids in tea counteract the caffeine and
strengthen it. Tea has antioxidants which block enzymes that attack and destroy bones.
People who are already suffering from
arthritis can drink green tea on a
regular basis as it helps lessen the effects of arthritis.
Prevents Tooth Decay:
A NEW study finds that catechins found in green tea can
prevent tooth decay (brushing and flossing are still necessary!). Catechins reduce the bacteria that cause gingivitis. A Japanese study has found that a cup or more of green tea a day may be associated with decreased tooth loss.
Are All Teas Equally Good for the Body?
This is a question researchers are still squabbling over. Does green
tea have more antioxidants than black tea? Should I drink instant tea or
loose leaf tea for better health benefits? Is hot tea better than iced
tea? And here is what it comes down to:
- Higher quality teas may have more catechin antioxidants than lower quality teas.
- White tea has more antioxidants than any other tea.
- Green tea has more catechin antioxidants than black tea since black tea goes through more processing.
- Unfermented rooibos tea has more polyphenol antioxidants than fermented rooibos.
- Freshly brewed teas have more polyphenol antioxidants than instant or bottled teas.
- More researchers seem to agree that brewed (cold or hot) or caffeinated tea has more antioxidants than instant teas.
