For centuries, people from all countries and cultures have enjoyed their daily “cup of tea” or a nice refreshing glass of ice cold tea on a hot summer’s day. In addition to the enjoyment of sharing an afternoon tea with friends, you may also be giving your body important disease fighting protection. The most popular types of teas providing added health benefits are: green, black, white, oolong and herbal teas.
Green Tea
Green tea is made with steamed tea leaves and contains a very high concentration of a unique antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate or ECGC. This antioxidant is known to slow the growth of cancers including breast, lung, bladder, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. ECGC also helps prevent clogging of the arteries and reduces the risk of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
Black Tea
Black Tea is made with fermented tea leaves and is the most common tea brewed for making “iced tea.” This tea contains the highest concentration of caffeine. Caffeine, if not used in excess, can increase mental alertness. Drinking black tea is thought to protect the lungs from cigarette smoke damage and may also reduce the risk of having a stroke.
White Tea
White tea is unprocessed and unfermented and may have the most cancer fighting properties of all! A report from ScienceDaily (May 28, 2004) states white tea extract may help in fighting bacterial infections such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and pneumonia. The study also showed that white tea extract may actually destroy the organisms that cause disease in vitro. Recently, several popular toothpaste brands have included in their ingredients “white tea extract.”
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is the traditional Chinese tea and is somewhere between green and black in its oxidation level. Oolong tea has a floral or “fruity” flavor. Chinese brew it strong with the effects of leaving a “sweet” aftertaste. Oolong tea has been shown to lower bad cholesterol levels. A variety of Oolong tea, Wuyi, is thought to enhance weight loss.
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas have lower concentrations of antioxidants than the traditional teas and are made from steeping herbs, roots, fruits or seeds in hot water. Several popular varieties include ginseng, ginger, chamomile, Echinacea, hibiscus and rooibos. Chamomile tea may help prevent diabetes complications such as kidney damage, nerve damage and vision loss. Echinacea is thought to have properties that fight the common cold. Hibiscus tea drinkers showed lowered blood pressure levels. The herbal teas also have flavonoids with cancer-fighting properties, only in lower levels than the traditional teas.
Sources:
http://www.thedailymind.com/health-at-work/tea-health-the-types-problems-and-health-benefits-of-tea/
http://medical.hroyy.com/2009/08/02/types-of-teas-and-their-health-benefits/
http://www.goherbalremedies.com/blog/a-basketful-herbal-tea-benefits/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/05/040526070934.htm
