Many of us are fascinated with drinking tea. In fact, according to the Tea Association of Canada, Canadians drink more than 200 million cups per day. If you are one of those people who love drinking tea, you might be interested in reading the following information about the health benefits of tea.

What Is Tea? 

Tea is a beverage prepared by pouring hot water over dried leaves of the Camellia Sinensis (or Thea Sinensis) plant. Though it is possible to make tea with only some herbs, more often than not, different herbs and spices are added to make the tea taste better.

Furthermore, because of its ability to retain flavor, prepare over 100 times its weight in water, and because it can be brewed quickly and easily for large batches of tea, tea is used in cooking. Drinking tea has many health benefits, and here are some of them.

Also, out of all the tea available in the market, there are healthier ones than others. Here are the top 10 tea that you should try drinking.

• Green Tea
• Jasmine Green Tea
• Mate Tea
• Oolong Tea
• Black Tea 
• Rooibos Tea
• Pu’erh Tea
• Kukicha Tea
• Genmaicha Tea (Japanese Brown Rice) 
• Matcha Tea

Health Benefits of Drinking Tea 

Reduces Pain

Drinking tea helps reduce pain because of the tannins found in it. It has been known to cure pain such as headaches. It works via the mechanism of chelation. Chelation is when the molecules bind with heavy metals that then help to remove them from the body. It helps reduce the size of blood vessels that restrict blood flow.

Also, tannins are an anti-inflammatory substance that can be found in tea. Inflammation occurs when the tissues react abnormally to stimuli such as trauma, infection, and allergic reaction by eliciting an immune response. Tannins have been proven to decrease swelling of the tissues and even lessen itching. 

Prevents Cancer

Green tea contains high amounts of antioxidants called polyphenols, which protect against cell damage from free radicals and prevents DNA mutations. It also prevents lung, mouth, breast, and prostate cancer since it slows down cell division rate or even promotes cell death. 

Increases Metabolism

The polysaccharides and tannins in tea have been proven to speed up the way our bodies use glucose. They are absorbed well by the small intestine and are dispersed into all tissues. It allows for more oxygen delivery of the sugars, which keeps our cells going at a high rate.

Increases Endurance

Popularized as a “sports drink” due to its caffeine content, drinking tea increases endurance because it prevents fatigue and helps sleep. It has also been studied that green tea has properties of preventing fatigue, which makes it essential for athletes to take before training sessions or competitions.

Uplifts Moods

According to the “Journal of Psychosomatic Research,” green tea has been shown to lower anxiety and depression. It does this due to high amounts of L-theanine, an amino acid that acts as a relaxant and reduces stress hormones such as adrenaline. Theobromine in tea helps release the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in our bodies associated with feelings of joy, happiness, and even sleepiness.

Cleanses Systems Better

Tea has excellent bacteria-killing properties; it can kill harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli because it lowers pH levels. Tea cleanses the skin by increasing natural enzymes in our bodies that can break down dead cells. Also, the tannins in tea cause the kidneys to expel more water and toxins.

Metabolism Booster

Green tea contains polysaccharides which are essential for increasing overall metabolism. Polysaccharides are carbohydrate-like compounds that are known to boost metabolism in people who consume them regularly. However, polysaccharides have been found to aid people with diabetes by helping reduce blood sugar levels.

Heals Wounds

Tea and herbal medicines are used to heal wounds because they help prevent infections and aid in the healing process. Tea also helps to counteract the effects of surgery. Amazingly, some research shows that drinking tea decreases pain so much that people who have been given anesthesia for significant surgery report feeling more pain post-surgery. 

Exercise Booster

To get the best benefits from tea, drinkers should take it around before their exercise. Ingesting caffeine can help increase stamina while decreasing fatigue by improving alertness. Tea also helps the body’s metabolism to work more efficiently and burns more calories in doing so.

Reduces Cramping

Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is a compound that uses up when people are engaged in physical activity. Some research shows that caffeine can block adenosine’s effects on cells and thus helps prevent muscles from cramping during physical exertion. 

Prevents Heart Disease

A study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine showed that a regular daily cup of green tea contains around 50 mg of catechins, or EGCG, which are potent antioxidants that can help kill free radicals. Catechins function by inhibiting enzymes that cause fat and cholesterol to be created in our bodies. They also seem to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, making it easier for us to control them.

Reduces Aging

Tea leaves contain caffeine, which has been known for its anti-aging effect over time. This effect was observed due to the content of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) found in tea leaves. DHEA is an anti-aging hormone known to inhibit the development of androgens in cells. In short, DHEA slows down cellular damage and increases life span. 

Anti-Inflammatory

Catechins in tea (especially green tea) have been known to be potent anti-inflammatory agents due to their ability to inhibit nitric oxide production in our bodies. Nitric oxide is a substance referred to as a “biological messenger” that tells blood vessels to relax, allowing more blood flow through vessels.

Reduces Liver Damage

Green tea has antioxidant benefits that can help prevent liver damage from free radicals. It also contains antioxidants called “flavonoids” that help prevent oxygen-centered free radicals from binding with DNA, which causes DNA damage. 

Prevents Heart Disease

Caffeine in tea has been proven to lower the risk of heart disease due to its ability to increase circulation, thereby improving blood flow. Green tea contains many antioxidants and flavonoids that reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. The other benefits of green tea include its anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Takeaway

Drinking tea is truly a wonder drink. Learning about the health benefits of drinking tea will help you better understand your diet and lifestyle choices. All these health benefits have caused the ingredients in tea to gain status as one of the most popular drinks on Earth. Also, hundreds of different types of tea will indeed suit your taste and preference.