Debating whether or not to cut back on your coffee habits? Already an avid tea drinker and seeking info on how your habit can help you? Then you’re in the right place! We’ve gathered 5 of the top health benefits of tea to make sure you have all the information you need.
Here’s why you should be drinking tea on a regular basis:
Lower Caffeine
If you drink several cups of coffee each day, you consume a lot of caffeine. An 8 oz cup of coffee can contain up to 200mg of caffeine. In contrast, a cup of black tea, the tea with the highest caffeine levels, contains up to 95mg of caffeine only. This level of caffeine is even lower in other teas like green tea which only contains around 45mg.
If you wish to avoid caffeine entirely, tea has a solution for this too. Rooibos tea doesn’t contain any caffeine. So, you can enjoy a hot cuppa without having a drop of caffeine!
Caffeine isn’t actually terrible when you consume it in moderation. Around 400mg is considered to be an acceptable amount for adults. Yet, when you go over this or if you are especially sensitive to caffeine, you can experience unpleasant side effects like restlessness, insomnia, and an upset stomach.
To avoid these unpleasant side effects, opt for tea instead. It has significantly less caffeine than a cup of coffee so you can still enjoy multiple cups of a hot and tasty beverage without going over your daily caffeine limit.
See Also: How To Reduce Caffeine In Green Tea
Antioxidants
Not only does tea have less caffeine than coffee, but it also has more antioxidants. According to the Harvard Medical School, tea contains catechins and epicatechin — two types of polyphenols which are antioxidants. These antioxidants attach themselves to oxidants that are harmful to the body.
However, how do we know that these antioxidants have any kind of benefit? Well, long-term studies conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health suggest that in the long run, tea drinkers have less chance of becoming diabetic. They suggest that this occurs because the polyphenols in tea help regulate blood sugar levels.
Additional research by Harvard suggests that these antioxidants may also contribute to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Still, it is important to combine tea consumption with a healthy diet and regular fitness routines in order to truly create a well-balanced healthy lifestyle.
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas offer a whole new avenue to health as well. While some herbal teas do contain actual tea leaves, many are created from a blend of different herbs, fruits or spices like peppermint and ginger.
These unique blends lead to several different health benefits depending on the ingredient. For instance, peppermint and ginger are both traditionally used to soothe upset stomachs. Then, teas with valerian root or chamomile can also help you sleep. Many herbal teas also contain floral ingredients like lavender and rose hips.
Herbal teas with dried fruits like mangoes, oranges, pineapples and papayas can also benefit you. Instead of the traditional health benefits for digestion, like peppermint or ginger, these fruity teas offer an alternative to sugary pops or artificial juices. If you are trying to make over your diet then a fruity, herbal tea could provide a top solution!
So, with so many different ingredient options for herbal teas, the possibilities are truly endless.
Hydration
Healthcare professionals are increasingly suggesting that you don’t need to drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. This is because it is now acknowledged that water is not the only source of hydration. Most other fluids you drink throughout the day, like juices or teas can also hydrate you as can some foods.
While healthcare professionals continue to debunk the myth that eight glasses of water is the key to health, hydration is nonetheless recognized as key to good health.
Dehydration can lead to fatigue, lower moods, decrease motivation and can even cause headaches or reduce athletic performance. So, it is nonetheless important to drink fluids throughout the day and drinking tea is a top way to ensure that you stay hydrated.
Have a Better Workout
Remember those catechins in tea? Scientists believe that they may have a positive effect on the body’s metabolism. Based on studies with mice that were given green tea extract, these catechins may be able to increase muscle endurance.
In a separate study, researchers also determined that mice who were given green tea extra had greater running endurance.
While the benefits of green tea extract in exercise performance of humans has not yet been determined, these studies nonetheless suggest that regular consumption of green tea could lead to a better workout. Plus, regularly drinking green tea can help to keep you hydrated. So, tea and exercise are really a win-win situation.
See Also: 4 Best Teas To Help You Lose Weight
Takeaway
Drinking tea is an excellent way to look after your health. From soaking up antioxidants to keeping your body hydrated, tea has plenty of health benefits. The best part is, tea is entirely affordable and you can purchase it at most grocery stores.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and have a cup of tea!