all about tea

explore tea’s many health benefits

Tea is the world’s most popular beverage other than water, and there are many reasons why. The leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant provide several tea varieties, all of them tasty and offering an abundance of health benefits.

The various flavors, colors, and aromas of tea result from different processing methods and the climate in which the plant was grown.

Full-bodied black teas, including breakfast teas, Darjeeling, and Ceylon, undergo several hours of fermentation. Delicate oolongs are partially fermented, while green and white teas are not. Oolong’s flavor resides somewhere between the taste of black and green tea. In white tea, the leaves and buds are steamed and dried; it brews to a pale yellow or light red shade and tastes slightly sweet.

Drink to your health

The focus of many scientific studies, teas from the camellia plant are rich in antioxidants. These nutrients are known fighters of free radicals, which cause cell damage that can lead to cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Green tea has shown promising results in studies ranging from heart health and cancer prevention to weight loss. Experts believe its ability to relax blood vessels throughout the body can lead to modest reductions in blood pressure. Research also suggests that green tea may be helpful for weight management.

Studies on a compound in green tea known as EGCG found that it helped to lower the production of beta amyloid, a protein that builds up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. The EGCG content of white tea is even greater than that of green tea.

The antioxidants in black tea can help block the formation of plaque on artery walls that leads to high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.

Oolong tea may be useful for treating atopic dermatitis or eczema. In a study of oolong tea, patients who drank oolong three times a day for one month experienced improved skin—the beneficial effect was maintained for at least six months. The study’s authors concluded that its effectiveness may be due to the antiallergic properties in oolong tea.

Herbal healing

Herbal teas, known for their medicinal properties, are not true teas, but rather infusions of herbs or plants. Here’s a sampling of herbal infusions and their health benefits. ●

Brew the perfect cup

Herbal teas are available in tea bags or in loose form. To brew loose tea, place the herbs in a pot or cup and add one cup of boiling water for each heaping teaspoon of tea. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes before straining and drinking—feel free to add a sweetener of your choice. Although most teas are served hot, they can also be served over ice.

HERBAL TEA BENEFITS

Chamomile Calms tension (including PMS anxiety), reduces inflammation, and promotes sleep. Cinnamon Has antibacterial and antifungal properties, soothes nausea and indigestion, helps balance blood sugar, and relieves joint pain. Echinacea Reduces the duration and symptoms of common cold and upper respiratory tract infections and acts as an immune system stimulant. Ginger Acts as a digestive aid, relieves nausea, reduces joint inflammation, and eases cold and flu symptoms.

Ginseng Enhances immune function, reduces blood sugar, and may help fight cancer.

Peppermint High in antioxidants, relieves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and eases indigestion and bloating.

SELECTED SOURCES “AICR’s foods that fight cancer” American Institute for Cancer Research, www.AICR.org • “Chamomile: An herbal

medicine of the past with bright future”

by J.K. Srivastava et al., Molecular Medicine Report • “Cinnamon use in Type 2 diabetes:

An updated systematic review and meta-

analysis” by R.W. Allen et al., Annals of Family Medicine • “Consumption of polyphenol plants may slow aging and associated diseases” by U. Uysal et al., Current Pharmaceutical Designs, 2013 • “Green tea catechins: Defensive role in cardiovascular disorders” by P. Bhardwaj and D. Khanna, Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 2013 • “Tea and its consumption: Benefits and risks” by K. Hayat et al., Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2015 • “Tea fact sheet,” Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc., www.TeaUSA.com • “A trial of oolong tea in the management of recalcitrant atopic dermatitis” by M. Uehara et al., Archives of Dermatology JANUARY 2022 23

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