Did you know, aside from water, tea is the most consumed drink the world? Now if you’re picturing a hot cuppa of chai, you may be one of the few. According to a survey conducted by the Tea Council of the USA, nearly 80% of tea consumers prefer iced tea over hot.
As long as health is concerned, this is great news. Irrespective of the form of tea you prefer, hot, cold, black, green, oolong or fermented – tea has countless health benefits. So if you’re a seasoned tea drinker or looking for a reason to convert your coffee addiction to tea, ahead are some reasons that might just convert you!
Heart health
Many years of research say that consuming tea has improved cardiovascular health of consumers. Drinking tea has been linked to a reduced risk for hypertension, stroke, and hardening of the arteries. Other studies say that tea could help healthy blood flow and circulation, by improving blood vessel function and helping to control blood clotting, in addition to improving cholesterol levels.
Antioxidants
More than 3000 published research studies evaluated the role of antioxidants found in tea and tea compounds such as the ever-praised epigallocatechin gallate (commonly referred to as EGCG), may play in lowering our risk of various types of cancer. A study also found that women who consumed more than 2 cups of green or black tea had a 46% less risk of ovarian cancer when compared to non-drinkers. Research also shows that tea helps to reduce free radical damage, inhibit uncontrolled cell growth, and boost our immune system.
Alertness
This is not just because of its caffeine content. According to many studies, there is an association between two compounds in tea, L-theanine and caffeine, with cognitive health benefits. The amino acid L-theanine, in particular, has been shown to directly affect areas of the brain that control attention and the ability to solve complex problems. Drinking tea is likely improve your mental clarity, mood, and work performance, too.
Skin protection
You’re going to love the sound of this. Green tea contains polyphenols ( antioxidants) which are linked to increase skin protection from UV rays and improved elasticity. In a 12-week trial where women were randomized to drinking extracted green tea polyphenols, they saw improvements in skin elasticity, roughness, and scaling. This is in part because tea boosts our blood flow and oxygen delivery to our skin.
