Like anything in life, it all depends!
I get a number of questions from folks asking what do you think about (fill in the blank)? Questions about supplements, inversion tables, mattresses, pillows, tens units and the list goes on.
By the way I love your questions so please keep submitting them.
One of the more common questions that have been popping up recently is about my thoughts on the health benefits of tea.
Like I said, it depends.
Not All Tea is Created Equal
As I am writing this piece I am sipping on a nice straight up mint green tea without any sweeteners added. So yes you can assume that there are health benefits from the consumption of tea.
But not all teas are created equal. There are big brand tea makers out there that will brew up a nice green tea for your convenience and then dump a ton of sugar into it and try to pawn it off as healthy because it’s rich in antioxidants or EGCG (a beneficial flavonoid found in green tea aka Epigallocatechin gallate). Between the fast mass production, the addition of sugar, the packaging in plastic bottles that are often stored in hot warehouses or trucks I can assure you that whatever health benefits would have come from the tea initially have been significantly diminished. In fact I would say that most commercially produced teas with lots of sugar added do more harm than good for your health.
Outside of those sugary teas, in general tea IS great for your health.
Tea is low calorie, rich in antioxidants (polyphenols), phytochemicals, caffeine, tannins, flavonoids as well as vitamins and minerals (manganese, vitamin C, calcium, riboflavin, folate, magnesium, potassium and copper to name a few) which have all been proven to have a positive impact on health.
What Kind is Best?
I’m also asked along with, Is tea good for your health, which tea is the best for me. Again it depends. There are essentially 4 different types of tea: black, green, white and oolong (there are other types of “tea” but they generally mix in various herbs). Each one has its own unique nutritional profile that can be beneficial to different people depending on their unique circumstances. So variety is good in the world of tea!
Health Benefits of Tea
The proposed health benefits of regular tea consumption are tremendous. Here are 10 fantastic reasons to consume tea daily:
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular deaths
- Stress reduction
- Increased endurance
- Decreased risk of dementia and improved memory
- Reduced risk of cancer
- Decreased systemic inflammation
- Pain reduction associated with arthritis
- Improved hydration
- Lower risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease
- Increased fat burning and reduced waist circumference
(source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/292160.php )
Remember not all tea is created equal. The nutritional value of your tea and the proposed benefits can all be influenced by the quality of tea that you select, how it is stored, how it is prepared, the water you use to brew it and your body’s ability to “process” the tea. So choose and prepare your tea wisely.
I’ve always loved tea and have never acquired a taste for coffee. I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee and have tried it every which way but it’s just not my thing. In essence I’m a tea loving kind of guy and I generally like my tea straight up. On occasion I may add some honey or coconut oil but in general I like to keep it simple. Recently I’ve started to try some new teas so I’ll keep you posted with some of the ones I like.
For me nothing beats enjoying a fresh cup of brewed mint green tea early in the morning before anyone else is awake. Relaxing!
So the next time you visit our office stop by our tea station and enjoy a cup of this wonderful health promoting beverage! You just may get hooked!
Now I want to hear from you: What is your favorite type of tea and when is your favorite time of the day to drink a cup of tea?
As always I hope this information has served you and will take you one step closer to your desired health goals.
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Until we chat again remember: Eat Well, Move Often and Stay Healthy!