WRITTEN BY JAMIE DUVNJAK,
CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
It’s the world’s most popular drink, second to water, and has a range of health benefits – Yes, that’s right; it’s none other than tea.
Tea has long served as one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. It is an aromatic beverage that is prepared from various types of Camellia Sinensis leaves, native to Asia. The drink originated in China and has been used for centuries due to the wide variety of health benefits it offers. In this article, you will learn about some of the types and health benefits of tea.
Healthy Types of Tea
• Black Tea – Black tea is the most popular type, which accounts for 75% of the global tea. The main difference between black tea and other types is the oxidation: black tea leaves are fully oxidized which contributes to the tea’s rich taste as well as higher caffeine content.
• Oolong Tea – Oolong Tea is among the most expensive and finest teas in the world. It is grown in Taiwan and is semi-fermented, which means it has a short oxidation period. This process turns the leaves from green to a red-brown color and contributes to a fruity flavor. Tea specialists consider oolong the most delicate form of tea and to preserve its natural taste, disagree on mixing it with lemon, milk, or sugar.
• Green Tea – Green tea makes up nearly 10% of the entire world’s tea consumption and has gained a solid reputation over the past few years for the health benefits it offers. It is grown in the Far East, primarily in Japan and China. It has a delicate taste that is slightly grassy, astringent and has a greenish-yellow color. The best part is that green tea is high in antioxidants. Therefore, it helps protect your body against certain types of cancer including stomach, prostate, breast, ovarian, and lung cancer, as well as protection from various other diseases.
• White Tea – White tea is the rarest of all teas. They are formed from the same leaves as green tea. The only difference is they are plucked in the earlier stages of the plan, hence giving them their extremely light color. It is grown in a Fujian province on China’s east coast and is delicate in flavor and almost colorless.
• Herbal Tea- There are several herbal teas available on the market which are caffeine free. Some popular ones include peppermint and ginger for improved digestion, chamomile and lavender for relaxation and red raspberry leaf for strengthening the reproductive system. A great brand is Traditional Medicinals. Be sure to check for this when you are visiting your local health food store or online shop.
Benefits of Drinking Tea
• Reduces Risks of Heart Disease – The antioxidants in tea, especially green tea are believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by improving blood vessel dilation and lowering oxidative stress and cholesterol levels.
• Increases Metabolic Rate – Green tea is linked to increasing metabolic rates by improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and speeding up fat oxidation, hence helping with weight loss.
• Reduces Risks of Cancer – Tea is known to reduce the incident of cancer by aiding normal cell death, fighting free radical damage and reducing abnormal cell growth.
• Protects your Bones – One study that compared non-drinkers with tea-drinkers, found that people who drank tea had the strongest bones.
So, if you want to receive these benefits mentioned above, then perhaps it’s time you replace the soda, alcohol and coffee with a little warm tea!
Cheers!
Jamie Duvnjak
Certified Health Coach
CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
It’s the world’s most popular drink, second to water, and has a range of health benefits – Yes, that’s right; it’s none other than tea.
Tea has long served as one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. It is an aromatic beverage that is prepared from various types of Camellia Sinensis leaves, native to Asia. The drink originated in China and has been used for centuries due to the wide variety of health benefits it offers. In this article, you will learn about some of the types and health benefits of tea.
Healthy Types of Tea
• Black Tea – Black tea is the most popular type, which accounts for 75% of the global tea. The main difference between black tea and other types is the oxidation: black tea leaves are fully oxidized which contributes to the tea’s rich taste as well as higher caffeine content.
• Oolong Tea – Oolong Tea is among the most expensive and finest teas in the world. It is grown in Taiwan and is semi-fermented, which means it has a short oxidation period. This process turns the leaves from green to a red-brown color and contributes to a fruity flavor. Tea specialists consider oolong the most delicate form of tea and to preserve its natural taste, disagree on mixing it with lemon, milk, or sugar.
• Green Tea – Green tea makes up nearly 10% of the entire world’s tea consumption and has gained a solid reputation over the past few years for the health benefits it offers. It is grown in the Far East, primarily in Japan and China. It has a delicate taste that is slightly grassy, astringent and has a greenish-yellow color. The best part is that green tea is high in antioxidants. Therefore, it helps protect your body against certain types of cancer including stomach, prostate, breast, ovarian, and lung cancer, as well as protection from various other diseases.
• White Tea – White tea is the rarest of all teas. They are formed from the same leaves as green tea. The only difference is they are plucked in the earlier stages of the plan, hence giving them their extremely light color. It is grown in a Fujian province on China’s east coast and is delicate in flavor and almost colorless.
• Herbal Tea- There are several herbal teas available on the market which are caffeine free. Some popular ones include peppermint and ginger for improved digestion, chamomile and lavender for relaxation and red raspberry leaf for strengthening the reproductive system. A great brand is Traditional Medicinals. Be sure to check for this when you are visiting your local health food store or online shop.
Benefits of Drinking Tea
• Reduces Risks of Heart Disease – The antioxidants in tea, especially green tea are believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by improving blood vessel dilation and lowering oxidative stress and cholesterol levels.
• Increases Metabolic Rate – Green tea is linked to increasing metabolic rates by improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and speeding up fat oxidation, hence helping with weight loss.
• Reduces Risks of Cancer – Tea is known to reduce the incident of cancer by aiding normal cell death, fighting free radical damage and reducing abnormal cell growth.
• Protects your Bones – One study that compared non-drinkers with tea-drinkers, found that people who drank tea had the strongest bones.
So, if you want to receive these benefits mentioned above, then perhaps it’s time you replace the soda, alcohol and coffee with a little warm tea!
Cheers!
Jamie Duvnjak
Certified Health Coach
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