Tea is not just a hypothetical problem solver in the country but is scientifically backed to have various health benefits. But make sure that your “tea” is actually tea. Real tea is extracted from a particular plant (Camellia sinensis) & comes in only 4 varieties: black, green, white, and oolong. Anything else (like herbal tea) is an infusion of a different plant & is not technically tea.
Following is a list of 5 health benefits derived from tea –
Boosts Metabolism
Teas have shown to burn calories and reduce body fat. They have a type of flavonoid called catechins that helps to boost metabolism and break down fats more quickly. The caffeine in tea increases your energy use, thus causing your body to burn more calories. These 2 compounds probably work best together for weight loss.
Tea is anti- inflammatory
Inflammation has been deduced as the root cause of most chronic, life-threatening diseases. It has been linked to almost everything from diabetes to cognitive decline to cancer. The antioxidant properties of tea are powerful fighters of inflammation. Infact, the antioxidants in green tea are 100 times more powerful than vitamin C.
Stimulates Your Brain Power
Regular consumption of tea helps boost memory and attention span, thus preventing cognitive decline. The properties of caffeine and L-theanine in tea have been proven to improve visual processing and reaction time. It also changes the way your brain is organized for more efficient information processing. Tea also helps lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease & other neurodegenerative diseases including dementia.
Improves Oral Health
Sipping tea improves the bacterial populations in the mouth and boosts oral health. It reduces the risk of cavities, periodontal disease and even oral cancer! So having some extra tea can make up for skipping on flossing here and there and still maintain your oral health.
Tea is hydrating!
Surprise, Surprise! Contrary to popular belief that tea promotes dehydration by acting like a diuretic & causing the body to lose more fluid, recent research tells us that up to 6 cups of tea a day is as hydrating as the same amount of water.