Tea has plenty of health benefits, which is why it's a good idea to keep a few bags or containers of loose-leaf varieties around. There are dozens of flavors to try, and nearly everyone can find one they enjoy.
Some of the most common flavors include:
What kinds of tea will most help your physical and mental health? Here are five you should try to add to your daily routine. If you're staying at Bethesda Gardens Frisco, we can steep you a cup, too.
Did you know that there've been studies on the benefits of green tea, also known by its Latin name, Camellia sinensis? This tea comes from the same plant as black and oolong teas, but to produce green tea, the plant is steamed, pan-fried and dried into the leaves you get in loose-leaf or packaged tea.
Since ancient times, green tea has been used in Asian cultures, namely those of China and Japan, for medicinal purposes. Green tea is promoted as being able to help with:
Studies have also determined that green and black tea may have positive benefits for those at risk for heart disease and could reduce blood pressure. It's important to note that those studies have no definite conclusions, but the findings were positive.
If you can't sleep, one of the teas that could help you is chamomile tea. Chamomile tea has long been suggested as a sleep aid.
There are two kinds of chamomile, German and Roman. German chamomile is often used in teas today and is promoted as being beneficial for:
There aren't as many studies on chamomile tea as there are on other kinds, but those that have been completed have found it could be a good supplement to take if you have generalized anxiety disorder. Research has also suggested that chamomile may help soothe an upset stomach and improve the quality of your sleep if you drink it regularly and over the course of a four-week period.
Peppermint tea may also be beneficial to those who have stomach upset or want to freshen their breath.
Peppermint itself has some interesting benefits. According to Mount Sinai, peppermint can be used to aid digestion and soothe upset stomachs. It's known to be calming, and it has an analgesic effect that numbs the body.
Peppermint tea is often used to:
Peppermint may calm the muscles of the stomach, which means bile may pass more freely. Foods move through the stomach more quickly with the tea, which can help prevent bloating and flatulence. Studies have also suggested that irritable bowel syndrome may be treated, to a degree, with peppermint capsules. It's not clear if tea would have the same effects.
Earl Grey tea is a flavored tea blend that's made from lemon and bitter orange plants. It's also called bergamot tea. It may also be a blend of black tea with oil of bergamot, depending on the company that's making it.
Earl Grey tea may have some benefits, including potentially reducing LDL cholesterol levels and aiding weight loss. As a tea with a mixture of camellia sinensis in some versions, it also potentially has the ability to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Black tea is a good alternative to coffee and other kinds of caffeinated beverages. It contains polyphenols, which are known to help protect against the onset of some chronic disorders. It also contains powerful antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Interestingly, studies have found that drinking black tea regularly can help reduce the risk of heart disorders. Studies also discovered that having three cups of tea a day improved the availability of antioxidants in the body.
Black tea may also help:
For these reasons, it's valuable to look into black tea if you're concerned about your blood pressure, risk of stroke or other chronic health conditions.
The great thing about tea is that you can drink it at any time to see its benefits. To reduce the risk of stomach upset, try drinking tea around an hour after breakfast or lunch.
In the evening, you can pair tea with snacks. Opt for tea with less caffeine, such as green tea or chamomile options, after dinner to make it easier to sleep.
Good snacks to pair with tea include:
Almost anything can go with tea as long as you pair the flavors together.
While not all kinds of tea have been studied, you can't go wrong with a black or green tea and may see benefits with any number of tea blends. If you have high blood pressure, want to look into reducing your cholesterol or just need a little caffeine to start your day, a tea blend could be the right option for you.
