The Health Benefits of Tea: What Type Of Tea You Should You Be Drinking?
When you think of avid tea drinkers, don’t you automatically assume they’re really healthy? I know I do. I feel like it’s a secret club of people that have all of this health wisdom that could easily be turned into a best-seller.
Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water and can be found in almost 80% of all U.S. households. If you’re not regularly drinking tea, it may be in your best interest to become part of the club.
How Are Different Teas Made?
All types of tea are from the same basic plant, the Camellia Sinensis plant. The differences between teas are due to processing, growing conditions, and geography. Herbal teas are a major part of the tea world, but they're not made from leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Herbal teas are made from the infusion of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water.
Types of Tea and Their Benefits - Which Tea is Best For You?
Drinking tea regularly has a variety of health benefits and positive effects on the body. Most of the varieties featured here include antioxidants that support good health by fighting free radicals in your body, but there isn’t really a “healthiest” choice per se. There are various differences in terms of the flavors, beneficial properties, and nutritional values of each one. Ultimately, the right tea for you will largely depend on what your tastes are and the kind of health issue you’re looking to address.
For Overall Wellness: White Tea
Looking to incorporate something into your diet for an all-around wellness boost? White tea is perfect for that. Packed with all of the essential nutrients, white tea is often considered superior to all teas. White tea contains a high amount of antioxidants, as well as polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins.
White teas you might like:
Jocko White Tea
Uncle Lee's Tea Organic White Tea
Tealyra Imperial Yunnan Silver Needle - White Loose Leaf Tea
For Gut Health:
Black Tea
When your gut is off, everything is off. Research suggests that black tea is linked to improving gut function and bringing balance to the microbiome—the colony of good and bad bacteria that lives in your digestive tract. Black tea is rich in tannins and other chemicals that have a positive and relaxing effect on the digestive system. This anti-inflammatory quality of the tea is also helpful with digestive disorders or nausea.
Black teas you might like:
Harney & Sons Orange Pekoe Black Tea
Positively Tea Company Loose Leaf Organic Assam Black Tea
Premium Vahdam Darjeeling Black Tea Loose Leaf
For Anti-Aging:
Rooibos
Anyone over the age of 25 may find themselves looking for ways to fight the aging process. Turns out rooibos tea is the real deal. Rooibos tea or red tea is an herbal tea that’s loaded with vitamins and minerals. Studies show that rooibos tea can help reverse the onset of age-related diseases and even keep wrinkles at bay. It also has high levels of antioxidants, zinc, and alpha-hydroxy acids which give the ability to prevent and reverse fat loss under the skin.
Rooibos teas you might like:
FGO Organic Rooibos Tea Bags
Anthony's Organic Red Rooibos Loose Leaf Tea
Mandela Tea - Organic Rooibos Tea
For Heart Health:
Green Tea
Green tea leaves are thought to be richer in antioxidants, which are also great for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers found people who consumed five or more cups of green tea per day were less likely to develop hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes or die of cardiovascular disease or stroke.
Greet teas you might like:
Bigelow Classic Green Tea Bags
Super Organics Beauty Boost Green Tea Pods
The Republic of Tea, The Peoples Green Tea
For Reducing Inflammation:
Moringa Tea
Moringa has been called a “miracle tree” because of its potential medicinal properties. To make Moringa tea, the freshly harvested leaves are dried at room temperature to retain their valuable nutrients. Moringa reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory enzymes and proteins in the body, and moringa leaf concentrate can significantly lower inflammation in the cells.
Moringa teas you might like:
Global Moringa Tea Original Organic Moringa Tea
Traditional Medicinals Organic Moringa with Spearmint & Sage
Organic India Tulsi Moringa Tea
For Weight Loss:
Oolong Tea
You can’t help but be both interested and skeptical when you come across detox teas. If you’re looking to add something to your weight loss regimen, consider oolong tea. Oolong tea’s unique blend of polyphenols prods cells to burn calories more efficiently and promotes the burning of belly fat. A study in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine found that participants who regularly sipped oolong tea lost six pounds over the course of the six-week time period.
Oolong teas you might like:
Revolution Tea Dragon Eye Oolong
Tie Guan Yin Monkey Picked Oolong Tea*
Prince Of Peace Organic Oolong Tea
*Not actually picked by monkeys. “Monkey picked” refers to the highest quality oolong tea.
Are There Bad Things About Tea?
If you’re reading all this and thinking “All these teas sound great! So what’s the catch?” you’re asking the right question. In spite of the numerous healthy benefits of tea there are some potential drawbacks. As with most things in life, too much of a good thing can be, well, too much. In this case, over-consumption of tea may leave you with:
Caffeine related jitters
Stained teeth
A higher sugar intake
An upset stomach
Inefficient iron absorption
The best way to enjoy the health benefits of tea while subverting the disadvantages is to drink it in moderation. Start with one or two cups a day until you know how each particular tea affects you.
Hopefully, this will inspire you to try a few different types and experience the goodness of tea!
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