Published: 11th Jan 2023
Many of us enjoy the ritual of having a cup of tea. This is because tea drinking is synonymous with relaxation. However, did you know that apart from its soothing qualities tea contains numerous health benefits?
People all over the world for centuries have been drinking tea, and for good reason. Numerous studies have shown that regular tea consumption can actually enhance your health. From boosting immunity, to enhancing digestion or even reducing inflammation. Whatever your health goal is, there is a tea to assist you on your journey.
But before you rush to put the kettle on let’s explore the world of tea. The impact it can have on your health – including the pros and cons – and how it can become part of a health conscious lifestyle.
What is tea made of?
Traditional teas are made from the young leaves of the Camellia Sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to East Asia, and includes: black, green and white varieties. All of these contain varying degrees of caffeine which is why they are enjoyed as a popular pick-me-up.
Health benefits of Tea:
The Down-side of Tea:
― Caffeine: a stimulant impacting the nervous system
― May cause jitteriness
― Tannins in tea can block iron absorption
― Sleeplessness
― Acts as an adrenal stressor
― Can cause nausea
Popular Types of Tea
Black Tea:
PROS:
Black tea is the most popular tea in the world. It’s enjoyed by millions to enhance energy levels, increase alertness or simply for pleasure.
The rich antioxidant content, known as polyphenols, means that it can help protect you against a range of illnesses.
There are a variety of black teas you can choose from which include: Darjeeling, Ceylon, English Breakfast and Earl Grey.
It should be noted that Earl Grey tea contains oil of Bergamot which is prized by scientists for its anti-aging properties (the natural form not flavoring!). This is because it promotes autophagy. An internal ‘house keeping process’ that helps with the removal of cellular waste; repairing damage and cellular rejuvenation.
Too much black tea can stress out your adrenal glands. So it’s a good idea to limit your daily intake to no more than 1 -2 cups per day. And having a protein rich snack, like nuts, will help curb a caffeine related blood sugar spike – and take the stress off your delicate adrenals.
Another potential problem is due to its tannin content. This can block iron, and other nutrients, from being absorbed and can lead to premature greying of hair, hair loss, lethargy and many other symptoms. So to prevent this from happening, it’s best to enjoy your tea at least one hour away from meal times.
Green Tea:
PROS:
Touted by many to be an elixir of youth, green tea is rich in compounds called Catechins (also known as flavan-3-ols). One of these is a key antioxidant called EGGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) which can help your body to fight DNA damage from UV rays. Making it a potent anti-aging ingredient to combat the signs of aging.
The rich catechin content can also help you to lose weight and regulate blood sugar (a win-win). What’s more, it’s rich in the amino acid L-theanine which can help keep your body-mind-complex calm and alleviate stress.
CONS:
Although the caffeine content in green tea is lower than in black tea it can still exhaust your adrenal glands if you consume it in large amounts.
Therefore, it’s important to choose your tea carefully! Steeping it for no more than 3 mins can help reduce any potential heavy metal content. But, always aim for organic when possible and go for plastic free, natural non-dyed and biodegradable tea bags (loose variety is best).
The Take Away
In conclusion, the potential harmful effects of tea are due to 3 main factors: 1) its caffeine content, 2) the possible presence of heavy metals and other toxic contaminants, 3) the tannin content can lead to poor nutrient absorption.