Spreading the Health

Touted as the elixir of life these days, only recently have scientific studies analyzed specific benefits of drinking tea. And although none of these experiments have absolutely confirmed the idea of tea as a “cure all” (some studies have mixed results), the following general health benefits related to tea have in fact been recognized for countless years. Tea is used as a(n):

• immune boosting
• disease fighter (including cardiovascular and ovarian, amongst others)
• energy enhancer (caffeine levels vary, but are less than coffee)
• reduction of hypertension (lower stress levels!)

Essentially, heating tea leaves in water helps release the flavanoids (plant-derived antioxidants) that fight heart disease by lowering oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Ancient Chinese texts never mentioned LDL, but they did note that tea helps improve eyesight, aids in digestion, stimulates weight loss, and treats sleeplessness.

Formal studies have generally focused on Camellia sinesis, especially green tea, but oolong, white, and black teas (different forms of the C. sinesis plant) are starting to garner more attention, as is pu-erh which has traditionally been recognized as an alternative medicine especially useful for weight loss.
Heavy green tea drinkers (those who consume more than 2 cups per day) have been found to benefit more than others, as in a recent Swedish study which found that women who drank this amount were 46% less likely of developing ovarian cancer than those who none at all.

Instant and bottled teas have not been shown to have the same effects as freshly brewed teas, presumably because they have lower levels of antioxidants. The bottled liquids also has lower levels of catechins that aren’t able to boost metabolic rates as well as the brewed. And although new studies are being developed every day, I’m going to continue drinking the fresh, good-for-you stuff because it is calorie free and serves up a good dose of something- whether that something is flavor or flavanoids.

Tea ‘Reduces Ovarian Cancer Risk’ - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4521964.stm.

Heart Attack Patients May Benefit From Drinking Tea - http://www.hms.harvard.edu/news/releases/0502mukamal.html

Above: Tea drinkers Clint and Kelly on a tea escapade at Remedy Teas (http://www.remedyteas.com/) in Seattle, Washington.