Health Benefits of Tea

Although tea is not the most sought after beverage in the world it does some in second. The beverage most commonly consumed in the world is coffee and tea comes in right behind it. No one really knows the true story of the origins of tea, but one Chinese legend tell us that in 2700 BC, Emperor Shen Nung was boiling a pot of water to help ease the pain in his stomach after overindulging at dinner and he did not notice that some leaves fell into the water from a nearby shrub. When he drank the water his stomach instantly felt better and thus the story of the origin of tea. At least it is one of the many stories.

Besides being a pleasant beverage with meals or as refreshment with ice on a hot day, tea has medicinal qualities. Tea contains compounds of polyphenols that protect the cells and body from damage that can be caused by exposure to environmental and dietary sources which are atoms and molecules known as free radicals that can lead to cancer and heart disease. Tea has been known to restrict cholesterol build up and helps blood vessels to function.

The polyphenols that are found in tea help to reduce plaque which helps reduce the chance of gum disease and cavities. Tea also protects your teeth against decay as it contains fluoride.

We all know that tea aids digestion an especially of fatty foods but did you know that tea also kills germs and bacteria? It does this with catechins which occur naturally in tea and is a sterilizing agent; as such tea can prevent food poisoning and stomach diseases.

Tea can help to strengthen the immune system. Green tea contains vitamin C and can help to treat the flu and the common cold. The polyphenols in tea increase the white blood cells which are important to our immune system.

Tea is recommended by doctors to prevent dehydration. The daily recommended amount of liquids per day, per individual, is 1.5 liters minimum. Tea can be consumed as the required liquid. Tea is safe to drink when you are on a weight loss diet as it is low in calories. Tea is a good thirst quencher particularly on a hot day; a glass of iced tea is a wonderful refresher.

We are all concerned in anti aging cosmetic formulas and dietary products but, it is said that because of the antioxidants in tea it has a great anti aging effect.
Tea has always been a source of natural medicine even before the popularity of natural foods and alternative medicines. Most of us remember having to drink chamomile tea to relieve stomach pain and constipation. Mint tea was used to cure indigestion. Tea has always been a safe and effective alternative medicine for everyone, young and old alike. Unlike other medicines, our mothers believed in tea because it was harmless and did the job it was intended to do at the moment.