How drinking tea is good for you

Tea has long been an institution, with millions of cups supped each day, making it an unlikely staple of modern-day living. But now it seems that green tea and even the humble brew could also offer more than a simple caffeine fix with tremendous health benefits to be found in tea.

A number of scientific researchers have been investigating the possible health benefits contained within tea. And now it appears there’s a growing body of evidence to suggest that drinking tea could actually ward off some very serious conditions, including cancer, obesity and dehydration. Studies have suggested that drinking three or more cups of tea a day could actually be better for you than drinking the same amount of water, with the antioxidants contained within tea boosting the body’s health, at the same time as rehydrating it.

The main health benefits of tea drinking

Here are some of the key health benefits that scientists reckon tea drinking can have on the body:

• Tea reduces the risk of heart disease — Tea can potentially improve the blood flow around the body, by widening key arteries and reducing the risk of clots. Tea also contains antioxidants called ‘flavonoids’, which may slow down the onset and risk of heart disease.

• Tea hydrates the body — Although water is the prime fluid for rehydrating the body after exercise or a long day in the office, some scientists believe that drinking tea could be equally useful. Although high in caffeine, tea is still great for hydration as it provides a rich and flavoursome source of water.

• Tea prevents tooth decay — Believe it or not, a regular supply of tea can really strengthen your teeth and lower the risk of tooth decay. Tea is a great source of fluoride, which can bolster tooth enamel. The antioxidants contained within a cuppa have also been known to fight against bacteria and gum disease. So get slurping!

• Slimming through tea drinking? — Some scientific studies have suggested that regular tea drinking can help to keep body fat down by speeding up the burning of calories. If nothing else, it’s less fattening than sipping on a soft drink.

• Boosting memory power with tea — Many scientists believe that certain types of tea, such as green tea, can strengthen memory cells in the brain, and offer protection from the development of dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease. No wonder old people drink so much tea!

• Beating cancer through the power of tea — Some high-profile studies have recently suggested that tea drinking could seriously help your chances of avoiding cancer. Although research is still developing in this area, reports indicate that prostate, mouth and breast cancer cases are much lower amongst those who regularly drink five or more cups of tea a day.

Types of healthy tea

With so many potential health benefits, there’s never been a better time to put the kettle on. But which form of tea is the most beneficial to you? Is that large cup of creamy, sugary black tea really going to help your body feel better? Let’s find out…

• Benefits of Green tea — In addition to the numerous health benefits mentioned above, green tea has also been found to boost the performance of the liver, and prevent arthritis by strengthening bones. However, to get the most benefit from your green tea drinking, try and brew it from loose leaves rather than the tea bag. It’ll add flavour, and allow more antioxidants to be released into your cup!

• Benefits of Black tea whilst green tea often grabs the headlines, black tea also possesses many of the health bonuses mentioned above. Offering a strong source of antioxidants, it is great for preventing viruses in the mouth and gums and has also been known to widen impaired arteries by as much as 50 per cent, preventing blood clots.

• Benefits of Wu long (or oolong) tea — This Chinese tea is said to be the best for burning off calories, as well as boosting the body’s immune system. Unlike green tea, wu long tastes sweet instead of grassy. It therefore offers a much more welcoming taste, in addition to its myriad body benefits.

So, brew up a healthy cuppa today and you’ll be feeling tea-rrific in no time!