TEA: A CUP OF GOOD HEALTH?

There is something relaxing and refreshing about a piping hot cup of tea. Be it your morning cuppa, evening or mid-day, a hot cup of tea not only comes as a bliss but with an array of health benefits.

One of the most consumed beverages of the world, tea is also known for its capacity to soothe, restore and refresh our mind. But the benefits of drinking tea go far beyond refreshment, research and studies have shown that some teas help encourage weight loss, lower cholesterol, prevent illnesses, like heart disease, and diabetes, and bring about improved mental alertness. It also contains antioxidants and has fewer amounts of caffeine than coffee making it a much better option. There is a range of teas that you can try like black tea, green tea, white tea, yellow tea, etc. Let’s have a look at the health benefits of some of these teas.

YELLOW TEA

Yellow tea offers a plethora of health benefits for people of all ages, from lowering the risk of brain strokes to lowering cholesterol levels it also helps fight carcinogenic elements and helps maintain body weight. Also, the antioxidants present in this tea are known to improve skin health and promote younger-looking skin besides giving your body a much needed boost of protection against a host of noncommunicable diseases. It belongs to the catergory of non-fermented teas.

GREEN TEA

Green tea has been used as a medicine for generations. It is low in caffeine and rich in beneficial antioxidants and is also believed to reduces the chances of cancer and prohibit the formation of tumors. It helps lower the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in our bodies. Besides this, it is believed to help strengthen our immune system and also lowers blood pressure. It has also been found to be protective against stroke and Type-2 diabetes and has shown a positive effect on the enhancement of working memory.

BLACK TEA

Black tea is known to lower stress levels by reducing the amounts of the stress hormone, cortisol. It is also quite good for relieving an upset stomach. Rich in antioxidants, black tea is also helpful in reducing the blockages in arteries thus lowering the risk of heart attacks. Besides this, black tea is also associated with lower fasting glucose levels and triglycerides and a moderate increase in HDL levels.

WHITE TEA

White tea is the least processed of all teas and hence offers a large amount of health benefits. White tea contains high levels of antioxidants, fluoride and flavonoids that are known to assists in repair and recovery of damaged skin, lowers signs of ageing, helps decrease blood pressure and reduces the risk of a range of cardiovascular disorders. Also, white tea contains very small amounts of caffeine and is extremely delicious in taste.