Can Tea Actually Heal?

Can tea actually heal? Is there any basis for the sudden surge in tea-based products which has been attributed to its health benefits and healing powers? Well, lets try to take a look at its components which are thought to be the source of these healing qualities. The main components that are the objects of intensive study are the catechin polyphenols.

Catechin polyphenols are antioxidants; substances that fight off free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for the damage and eventual death of cells. The propagation of free radicals are accelerated by the presence of toxins that come with smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, eating too much fatty foods, exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, as well as pollutants in the air.

Let's take our skin for example. Ever wondered why loosen and wilt as we age? That's because the cells that hold them together tightly are already dead. It's normal for cells to die, even happening everyday. The presence of free radicals in our body is even normal. But when the concentration of free radicals is just too high, the death rate of cells also increases proportionately.

Thus, to prevent cells from dying, free radicals should be countered upon. That's where antioxidants like the polyphenols in tea come in. The polyphenols neutralize the free radicals and thus reduce the elements that increase the death rate of cells. With lesser dying cells in our skins, they can remain tight longer.

Of course, the death rate of cells increase as we age. But at least the rate won't be as fast as when the number of free radicals is too high. We can take this same argument to the other cells in our bodies. The effects of healing teas on skin cells are the same on other cells. Hence, damages there can be minimized as well.

Yes, healing tea is very much for real. Just look at the track record for longevity of serious tea-drinking countries like China and Japan. We frequently hear people from these parts reaching a century old.

Of all healing teas, it is the green tea variety that has the most amount of antioxidants. That is why tea-inspired beverages specify that green tea is their main component.