Tea + Health

Years ago, I wrote a book, Before the Store:  A guide to knowing what's in your grocery cart.  As I was researching how food is medicine for my book, I came across a Ted Talk, Can we eat to starve cancer?  I thought this was a fascinating topic and through this Ted Talk, I learned not only can tea benefit our health, but there is a synergistic effect.  This means two teas combined together have even a more powerful health benefit.  This I thought was so fascinating.  Nature is absolutely amazing!  

Green Tea + Health Benefits

“Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage,” writes 19th-century Japanese scholar Okakura Kakuzo in his infamous publication The Book of Tea.

The health benefits from green tea have been linked with having polyphenols, which contain antioxidant properties.  These substances can reduce free radicals in the body, protecting cells from damage. These free radicals play a role in aging and diseases.

Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of many cancers; such as bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.  The antioxidants may also help with prevent clogging of the arteries, reduce the risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels. 

Black Tea + Health Benefits

The antioxidants in black tea are different from those in green tea, due to the oxidation process, which gives black tea different health benefits than green tea.  Black tea may protect against atherosclerosis, reduce blood pressure, and lower the risk of skin, breast, lung, and prostate cancer.

Herbal Tea + Health Benefits

Most herbal teas have antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, but the specifics depend on the particular herbs in the tea.  Common health benefits include relaxing the body and mind, aiding sleep disorders, reducing inflammation, protecting against diseases, boosting the immune system and digestive system, and detoxifying the body.

Here are some examples of Herbal Teas:

• Anise Tea – Excellent for stomach disorders, nausea, congestion, coughs and colds.
• Chamomile Tea – Has relaxant properties, soothes the stomach, and improves symptoms of back pain, inflammation, arthritis, skin irritation, and sunburn.
• Peppermint Tea – Particularly good for easing stomach upset and indigestion.
• Rooibos Tea – Can relieve headaches and prevent skin disorders, high blood pressure, premature aging, and allergic response in the body.
• Ginger Tea – Soothes nausea and stimulates digestion.
• Verbena Tea -  Lose weight, strengthen muscles, helps with joint pain, prevents cancer, good for digestion, coughs, sore throat, wounds, sinusitis, and stress.

Disclaimer:  The contents of this post are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider before adding herbs or teas to your diet.