The Health Benefits of Tea

By Sara Butler

Tea isn’t simply something Queen Elizabeth drinks with her pinky finger firmly tucked down. You may have noticed lately that tea has become quite trendy, with tea house and bars popping up right next to your favorite coffee house. But the growing popularity of tea is grounded in science because there’s evidence that tea tastes good and is good for you. If you’ve not jumped on the tea trolley just yet, here are a few reasons you may want to consider steeping up a cup to enjoy.

There Are Many Varieties

Tea is made from the leaves and stems of a bush. There are four basic types of tea, which include:

• Black tea – Produced from fully fermented tea leaves
• Oolong tea – Produced from partially fermented leaves
• Green tea - Produced by steaming fresh-picked leaves before they’re dried
• White tea – Produced by steaming dried and withered leaves

There are over 3,000 varieties of tea out there, so there’s plenty to choose from!

It’s Good for Your Heart

The American Health Foundation funded a study that found black and green teas to contain antioxidants that can help decrease the risk of heart disease. They also may help to lower cholesterol!

The same studies also revealed that black and green teas can reduce your risk of certain kind of cancers due to the antioxidants they contain. Sounds like a tasty way to help keep your body healthy.

It’s Good for Your Teeth

Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry reported that some of the compounds found in black tea can help suppress or kill the growth of bacteria that can cause cavities in dental plaque. Green tea has also been found to help reduce oral bacteria and is recommended as a mouth rinse for people with periodontal disease.

A Word of Caution

Some people enjoy their tea with a bit of milk but adding milk to this beverage can reduce its health benefits. That’s because casein, the protein found in milk, can destroy tea's ability to help protect your heart against heart disease. Plus, the sugars in milk aren’t great for your teeth!

Also, never drink caffeinated tea too close to bedtime or you may have trouble falling asleep! It’s best to drink naturally caffeine-free versions or avoid it altogether when it gets close to bedtime.