Tea

Tea is a beverage you can drink, hot or cold, and you don’t have to be a tea connoisseur to enjoy it. Tea has numerous health benefits, but which type of tea is best? Well, they all offer antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory, so regardless of which one you choose, it’s good to know that each time you have a cup, you’re doing something good for your health and body. Below are health benefits highlights of different types of teas.

Highlighted Benefits

White Tea

Benefits: Defying Age

A delicate and smooth tea that is native to China and India. The leaves are picked when very young. This tea variety contains the least caffeine at just 15mg per cup. It has high levels of polyphenols, which strengthen the elastin in your skin to help combat wrinkles. It’s also high in antioxidants and contains a high source of fluoride, catechizes, and tannins, which can strengthen teeth.

Black tea

Benefits: Energy Booster

This tea is made from the same plant used to make green tea. However, the leaves are dried and fermented, giving black tea a darker color and richer flavor. This tea accounts for roughly three-quarters of the world’s consumption, which isn’t that surprising considering it has the highest levels of caffeine at around 40mg per cup, making it perfect for a pre-workout booster. It also contains flavonoids that combat inflammation and support healthy immune function.

Green Tea

Benefits: Fat Burner

This tea originates from China and Japan. It can help speed up metabolism to burn more calories, making it a popular supplement. It is exceptionally high in flavonoids that can help boost your heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and blood clotting. Studies also show this tea can help lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. It’s also packed with potent antioxidants that can help prevent certain forms of cancer. For maximum impact, drink the matcha variety, made with powdered green leaves that contain even more antioxidants than regular green tea.

Oolong Tea

Benefits: Mental Alertness

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea variety made from the same plant used to make green and black teas; the difference is in how it is processed. Oolong tea contains l-theanine, an amino acid that reduces anxiety and increases alertness and attention. It is also high in polyphenols, which are linked to lowering inflammation, preventing the growth of cancers, and decreasing type 2 diabetes risk.

Chamomile Tea

Benefits: Relaxation and Sleep

Chamomile tea is made from the chamomile flower; this sweet beverage has been found to reduce anxiety and stress levels, making it a perfect choice for improved sleep and relaxation. Bonus, it can also help to alleviate chesty coughs.

Ginger Tea

Benefits: Enhanced Recovery

Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, this herbal tea is a perfect post-workout brew as it can help to soothe aching muscles. It can also help fight morning sickness and nausea and relieve joint pain. You can also make it from a slice of fresh ginger or half a teaspoon of powdered ginger by adding it to a cup with boiling water.

Peppermint Tea

Benefits: Digestive Aid

This minty brew contains menthol, which can improve mobility in your digestive tract to help relieve upset stomach symptoms, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and motion sickness. This tea variety can also offer pain relief from tension headaches and migraines. It’s also an easy herb for cultivating a homegrown cup in your garden. Just dry the leaves and add boiling water.

tea brewing measurements

Ready for a nice cup of tea? Whether you’re a beginner tea drinker or not, brewing tea from the loose leaf is a ritual that can be very relaxing and calming, helping you connect in the present moment with what you’re doing, so take your time and enjoy the moment.

When brewing tea, a good rule of thumb is to measure one dried herb or two fresh ones into a teapot for one cup. Add boiling water, cover, and steep for ten to fifteen minutes to help release the beautiful qualities of the tea.