Regarded for thousands of years in
the East as a key to good health, happiness, and wisdom, tea has caught the
attention of researchers in the West, who are discovering the many health
benefits of different types of teas.
Studies have found that some teas
may help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; encourage weight loss; lower cholesterol;
and bring about mental alertness. Tea also appears to have antimicrobial
qualities.
“There doesn’t seem to be a downside
to tea,” says American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Katherine Tallmadge,
MA, RD, LD. “I think it’s a great alternative to coffee drinking. First, tea
has less caffeine. It’s
pretty well established that the compounds in tea – their flavonoids – are good
for the heart and
may reduce cancer.”
Although a lot of questions remain
about how long tea needs to be steeped for the most benefit, and how much you
need to drink, nutritionists agree any tea is good tea. Still, they prefer
brewed teas over bottled to avoid the extra calories and sweeteners.
Here's a primer to get you started.
Health Benefits of Tea: Green, Black, and White Tea