Drinking tea and its tremendous health benefits
For thousands of years, the Chinese and Japanese had been drinking tea. Brewing and drinking tea is deeply embedded in their culture and traditions. So special is tea in their cultures that the tea ceremony is considered sacred and a sign of respect to elders and superiors.
Chinese monks first used tea for its medicinal properties. Even in those ancient times, devoid of the comforts people enjoy today, the benefits of drinking tea regularly were evident. In China, some of the most treasured works of art are teapots, cups, and other tea ceremony accessories.
It seems that drinking tea never misses the scientific studies that will prove its numerous benefits. The most potent ingredient found in tea leaves that makes it such a healthy drink is the high levels of antioxidants. Green tea contains high levels of polyphenols. Polyphenols are chemicals found in plants and their antioxidant properties have been well documented to have health benefits. They can reduce the risks of heart disease, as well as certain types of cancer.
In a study conducted at the 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical College of Athens in Greece, regular drinking of green tea was shown to significantly improve the function of the cells lining the circulatory system. Malfunction of endothelial cells often leads to the progression of atherosclerosis.
White tea, on the other hand, was seen to have more potent anti-cancer properties than green tea. This is according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University in Corvallis. The study examined the effects of tea in preventing genetic mutations in bacteria. It was also tested in rats prone to colon and rectal cancer. In both studies, white tea may provide significant protection compared to green tea.
In recent studies, the compounds theaflavins and thearubigens were found to give more than color and unique flavor to black tea. They also provide health benefits. A long-term study conducted at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands found a connection between regular consumption of black tea and decreased risk of stroke. Another study in Saudi Arabia, where black tea is preferred over green, revealed that drinking black tea can halve the risk of coronary heart disease.
Although the evidence is still inconclusive about the benefits of drinking tea, there is no proof that drinking tea is bad for you. The Chinese and Japanese have been practicing tea drinking for centuries and no ill effects have been observed.
Drinking tea is also known as a form of relaxation. A Chinese tea ceremony is not just a ceremony that is not only performed as a respect for older members of the family or community, but also as a way to relax and relieve stress. People who drink tea regularly are better able to de-stress faster than those who don’t and have lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in their blood.
It is safe to say that health and tea are a likely combination to have in your life. Drink a cup of tea now and see for yourself.