The health effects of tea have been examined ever since the first infusions of Camellia sinensis about 4700 years ago in China.
Shennong, the legendary emperor claimed in The Divine Farmer’s Herb-Root Classic that Camellia sinensis infusions were useful for treating conditions including abscesses, tumors, lethargy and bladder ailments.
Studies have found that some teas may help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; encouraging weight loss; lower cholesterol; and bring about mental alertness. Tea may also have antimicrobial qualities.
Types of tea and their health benefits
- Green tea: Made with steamed tea leaves, have a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. The antioxidants of Green tea may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, stomach, lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, burns fat, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce risk of stroke.
- Black tea: Made with fermented tea leaves, this tea has the highest content of caffeine and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, and along with some instant teas. Studies shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to smoke of cigarette. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.
- White tea: Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that the white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas.
- Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have lower levels of bad cholesterol. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a supplement for weight loss, but science hasn’t backed the claims.
- Pu-erh tea: Made from aged and fermented leaves. Considered a black tea, its leaves are pressed into cakes. There’s one animal study showed that animals given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol.
And addition potential benefits of general tea consumption:
- Drinking three cups of tea a day may linked to a modest reduction in heart attack risk
- The antioxidants in tea may help to prevent a variety of cancers
- Tea consumption may enhance the density of bones
- Tea may also help prevent cavities and kidney stones
For centuries, tea has been used in alternative medicine to treat everything from cancer to constipation. Recent research supports on these claims: Studies have shown that tea may protect against heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other types of cancer. And you may think that if you’ve tried one tea, you have tried them all, but that’s not the case.
There is a wide range of flavors within every type of tea and host of different preventative health benefits.
Learn on how sipping on a cup of the right kind of tea could be the answer to your health problems.
