It’s served piping sizzling or iced and is available in quite a lot of flavors – however is tea actually wholesome for you?
The quick reply is, sure.
All teas, whether or not caffeinated or natural, comprise polyphenols, a kind of antioxidant with a great deal of potential, like decreased irritation and diminished threat of power illness. Completely different teas have completely different advantages, so let’s dive proper into the healthiest teas to drink.
Varieties of tea with caffeine
Regardless of what the labels on the grocery retailer cabinets will let you know, solely tea comprised of the Camellia sinensis plant is taken into account true tea. Though it’s comprised of the identical leaves, the distinction is in how it’s processed.
Inexperienced tea
Lengthy hailed because the healthiest of the wholesome teas to drink, consuming inexperienced tea is a great selection for a cause.
“Inexperienced tea wins as essentially the most wholesome tea,” says Ashley Simper, the supervisor of dietetic companies with OSF HealthCare “Ingesting inexperienced tea, not less than three or extra cups a day, results in well being advantages with regards to heart problems, most cancers and the general threat of mortality.”
Black tea
The leaves in black tea are left to ferment longer than in inexperienced tea, giving it a darker shade.
“Black tea has been proven to decrease the chance of growing diabetes, in addition to a decrease threat of general mortality when consuming not less than two cups a day,” says Ashley.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea is extra historically a Chinese language tea that oxidizes longer than inexperienced tea, however not so long as black tea.
“Oolong accommodates l-theanine, an amino acid that helps cut back anxiousness, enhance sleep and increase psychological readability,” says Ashley.
White tea
White tea is the least processed tea selection. White tea accommodates a strong mixture of fluoride, catechins and tannins, which will help defend your tooth from micro organism.
“Just like inexperienced tea, white tea additionally has a excessive stage of antioxidants, which assist battle numerous types of most cancers,” says Ashley.
How a lot caffeine is in tea?
Many individuals might flip down a steaming cup of espresso in favor of its less-caffeinated cousin, however tea does nonetheless comprise caffeine.
Black tea: Of all of the caffeinated teas, black tea accommodates the very best quantity of caffeine, clocking in at 47 milligrams per 8-ounce cup, nonetheless about half the quantity of a cup of espresso.
Inexperienced tea: An 8-ounce cup accommodates about 33 milligrams of caffeine, in comparison with an 8-ounce cup of espresso which accommodates 80-200 milligrams.
Oolong tea: The caffeine in oolong tea is akin to inexperienced tea.
White tea: Sometimes, white tea accommodates the bottom quantity of caffeine.
“You would need to drink eight or extra cups of tea a day to get to the higher restrict we’d advocate for caffeine. So, it’s not that a lot of a threat for individuals,” Simper factors out. “Nonetheless, in case you’re going to start out consuming three to 5 cups of tea a day, and also you’re not usually a caffeine shopper, you would possibly discover the results of the caffeine.”
Varieties of natural tea
Regardless of the title, natural teas usually are not really tea, as they aren’t comprised of tea leaves, however quite from flowers, leaves and roots. If caffeine isn’t your cup of tea, natural teas are an excellent possibility, as they usually don’t comprise any.
Chamomile tea
When you’ve ever been informed to go chill out and have a cup of tea, you most likely want to achieve for some chamomile. Analysis means that chamomile would possibly assist handle anxiousness and make it easier to chill out.
Spearmint tea
Rosmarinic acid is an antioxidant present in spearmint tea which helps with joint ache and stiffness.
Ginger tea
Individuals who expertise nausea and upset abdomen might discover consolation in sipping on some ginger tea. Analysis reveals that ginger reduces nausea by a direct impact on the abdomen, rising motion of the gastrointestinal system.
Nettle tea
Whereas extra analysis is required on the advantages of this distinctive tea, it has been used to deal with urinary situations, together with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Analysis suggests nettle might assist flush dangerous micro organism from the urinary tract.
Hibiscus tea
This tea, comprised of the brightly coloured flowers of the hibiscus plant, is chock filled with antioxidants. A few of the potential advantages embody decreasing blood strain and levels of cholesterol.
Dandelion tea
When you may be used to them in your backyard, dandelions may also be present in tea kind.
“Dandelions comprise polysaccharides, that are recognized to have a protecting impact on the liver,” says Ashley. “They may also be an excellent supply of Vitamin C, which helps your immune system.”
Plan to steer clear although if you’re allergic to any plant within the daisy household.
Rooibos tea
Rooibos tea is one other antioxidant powerhouse, with a naturally candy style that may assist curb sugar cravings. It additionally accommodates zinc and copper which will help with hair development, and it could even enhance your allergy symptoms.
Raspberry leaf tea
Generally known as the “being pregnant tea,” raspberry leaf has lengthy been touted as an efficient technique to make labor shorter and simpler for pregnant girls. However extra analysis is required.
Fennel tea
Fennel tea is comprised of the seeds of the fennel plant and accommodates excessive quantities of nutritional vitamins and minerals.
“Fennel has antispasmodic and anti inflammatory properties that could possibly be useful in bettering digestive issues that trigger fuel and bloating, like irritable bowel syndrome,” says Ashley.
Able to make some adjustments?
Earlier than you head to the tea aisle on the grocery retailer, you need to seek the advice of along with your major care doctor. Some herbs in tea might work together with sure drugs or trigger undesirable negative effects.
Final Up to date: October 7, 2024
