Benefits of Tea

The latest research is great news for tea lovers. Not only is tea a tasty and enjoyable beverage but it is also incredibly healthy as well. Tea has a rich history dating back thousands of years and is enjoyed all over the world as a coveted, soothing beverage. In fact, in many Asian cultures tea has been consumed on a regular basis not only for its unique and appealing taste but also for its natural healing and disease preventing properties.

Green tea, black tea and oolong tea are different types of tea that are cultivated from the same plant. Camellia sinensis, commonly referred to as a tea plant, is an evergreen shrub grown and cultivated for its leaves and buds for the creation of numerous types of tea including green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea and chai tea. The difference in the type of tea available today is the method used to process the tea leaves. Leaves can be whole, crushed, cut, torn, curled, fermented, steamed or withered. However, because all teas are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant they all tend to have similar health promoting properties.

Tea is loaded with polyphenols. So are fruits and vegetables. But what makes tea even better than fruits and vegetables is the amount of polyphenols it has. Research has shown that tea has about 15 times the levels of polyphenols as fruits and vegetables! Polyphenols destroy free radicals. Free radicals are what cause heart disease, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and others.
Phytochemicals and antioxidants in tea have also demonstrated the ability to reduce cholesterol levels, improve bone mineral density, reduce inflammation, prevent infection, improve memory, and slow down the aging process.

New research has shown how tea can prevent cavities and support healthy gums and teeth. Tea has flavonoids and fluoride. These chemicals prevent plaque from forming and even kill bad bacteria. In a recent study by a major university, scientists concluded that tea can control halitosis.

New research has shown that green tea is great for losing weight. First, green tea helps control hunger by making you feel full when you really are not. Second, green tea has chemicals that boost a person's metabolism rate and speeds up their fat oxidization.

The amazing thing is that these benefits of drinking tea were discovered thousands of years ago before scientists even existed. They were discovered simply by studying what happens to someone who drinks tea versus someone who does not. Tea continues to be the world's oldest and most popular beverage because of its taste and health promoting benefits.