The Health Benefits of Tea

The health benefits of tea have long been understood by many cultures around the world. Tea leaves pack a generous amount of a health-promoting substance called polyphenols.

These molecules have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and strengthen the immune system. In addition, studies have shown drinking a soothing cup of tea can help reduce stress.

Be careful though not to overload your tea with sugar, which will negate the health benefits. Instead, add natural sweeteners such as honey. Squeezing some fresh lemon or cinnamon in your tea will boost metabolism.

Looking for other ways to stay healthy? Learn about the benefits of movement as medicine.

12 Teas and Their Health Benefits

Deciding what benefits you want from your tea, depends on what health concerns you want to focus on. Here are twelve teas and their impact.

Anti-Inflammatory

1. Ginger Tea

This tea works as an anti-inflammatory agent blocking prostaglandins, the chemical messengers that cause a slight swelling in the brain. Ginger tea reduces inflammation in about the same amount of time as it would take an aspirin to work. Drink a cup at the onset of your headache to stop the pain in its tracks.

Bonus Benefit: It helps improve digestion, prevents bloating, decreases intestinal gas.

2. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root tea has anti-inflammatory and bacteria-killing properties in addition to therapeutic compounds that soothe sore throats.

Bonus Benefit: It will curb a sweet tooth as it’s an herb whose taste is sweeter than sugar with zero calories.

Heart Health

3. Hibiscus Flower Tea

Not a common tea, but it helps to reduce hypertension, cholesterol and blood pressure. The presence of antioxidants in Hibiscus tea provides protection against cell-damaging free radicals.

Overall Health

4. Echinacea Tea

Echinacea tea increases the power of the immune system. It also reduces pain and inflammation and helps to prevent the common cold.

5. Black Tea

This tea helps keep your breath smelling sweet because it is full of antioxidants that stop plaque from clinging to your teeth. Plaque build-up leads to bad breath, among other dental problems.

6. Dandelion Tea

Dandelion contains immense vitamins and minerals. It lowers fluid retention and provides soothing pleasure to pain and swelling caused by arthritis. It also improves the digestive system and liver function.

7. White Tea

Because white tea is less processed than other forms of tea, the polyphenols are extra potent giving an added boost to your immune system. In addition, white tea prevents new fat cells from forming and fights signs of aging, like wrinkles.

8. Green Tea

Green tea undergoes minimal processing compared to black tea, therefore, green tea retains many nutrients that can support overall health and wellness.

In addition to having power antioxidants that will boost your immune system, the antioxidants in green tea can reduce the visible signs of aging. It’s no wonder this tea has become so popular. Studies show that drinking green tea may help everything from supporting heart health and lowering blood pressure to losing weight and relieving headaches.

Reduce Stress

9. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea reduces stress and helps to digest food. It secures peaceful sleep and reduces the problems of insomnia. It also helps relieve tight joints and sore muscles and can ease an upset belly and soothe indigestion.

Indigestion

10. Peppermint/Spearmint Tea

These teas can help relieve an upset stomach and constipation. It reduces the problems of vomiting, motion sickness, and nausea.

Bonus Benefit: It strengthens the immune system and gives the body protection against mild coughs, mild asthma, and clearing of congestion, mild aches, and chronic pain.

Weight Loss

11. Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon tea is extremely beneficial for weight loss because it can help regulate your blood sugar levels which can prevent cravings, leading to fewer calories being consumed. It becomes even more effective when blended with honey.

Bonus Benefit: It has the ability to fight against viruses for overall health.

12. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea boosts metabolism, helping you burn fat faster. Its unique antioxidants and caffeine combination ignites your body’s fat-burning furnace and raises your metabolism for up to 2 hours!

Bonus Benefit: This will benefit overall health as it is packed with a whole host of antioxidants.

There are hundreds of flavor combinations so it’s almost impossible not to find a tea that’s the perfect match for your taste buds, health, and wellness.

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Life Enriching Communities, Inc. (LEC), is an integrated family of lifestyle communities and senior living services in greater Cincinnati. Best known for our Twin Towers and Twin Lakes senior living communities, we have made aging well a top priority for nearly 120 years.