America is in a tea party! The amount of money we spend on tea has increased more than a hundred percent in the last decade. Could it be that the grande, double, decaf, skim, latte coffee culture is finally getting on everybody's nerves? Or is it the overwhelming proof showing that tea is high in health benefits? So what is true and what is just hype?
Technically speaking, the only true teas are those extracted from the plant camellia sinesis. There are three types: black (such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey), green and a less common brew called oolong. Black tea is the most popular choice of tea drinkers in America. It is air cured before it is heated, giving it its unique tint and flavour than green tea.
Both black and green teas contain high levels of antioxidants, these are substances that prevent or delay damage to your body's cells and tissues. In fact, these teas have more antioxidants than most vegetables. Two cups of tea contain about the same amount of antioxidants as a full serving of fruits and vegetables.
A study has also related black tea to cholesterol levels being lowered and in the risk reduction of urinary and digestive tract cancers for older women, while green tea may help prevent skin cancer. Scientists are so confident about tea's healthful properties that many studies are being conducted about green tea extract's possible use in cancer treatment.
Health wise, it makes no difference if you sip tea hot or cold. But you can pass up on most commercially bottled iced teas. Studies have shown that they lack major antioxidant found in tea plus they may be loaded with sugar.
To get maximum health benefits, brew your own iced tea: Pour two cups of boiling water over four tea bags. Allow the tea to precipitous for five minutes, and then squeeze on the bags. Remove the bags, add cold water and ice cubes. To sweeten, use honey.
Herbal teas aren't really teas at all. They are made from a different class of edible plants. Herbal teas don't have the same combination of antioxidants, so their benefits are not that considerable. But they may treat some problems. Chamomile, lavender or lemon-balm tea, for instance, can help you fall asleep, while mint teas may ease nasal clogging.
"Medicinal" teas, on the other hand, mean they can treat whatever ails you. But "medicinal" teas are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor are manufacturers legally required to prove their claims, which implies that you take it at your own risk.
Technically speaking, the only true teas are those extracted from the plant camellia sinesis. There are three types: black (such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey), green and a less common brew called oolong. Black tea is the most popular choice of tea drinkers in America. It is air cured before it is heated, giving it its unique tint and flavour than green tea.
Both black and green teas contain high levels of antioxidants, these are substances that prevent or delay damage to your body's cells and tissues. In fact, these teas have more antioxidants than most vegetables. Two cups of tea contain about the same amount of antioxidants as a full serving of fruits and vegetables.
A study has also related black tea to cholesterol levels being lowered and in the risk reduction of urinary and digestive tract cancers for older women, while green tea may help prevent skin cancer. Scientists are so confident about tea's healthful properties that many studies are being conducted about green tea extract's possible use in cancer treatment.
Health wise, it makes no difference if you sip tea hot or cold. But you can pass up on most commercially bottled iced teas. Studies have shown that they lack major antioxidant found in tea plus they may be loaded with sugar.
To get maximum health benefits, brew your own iced tea: Pour two cups of boiling water over four tea bags. Allow the tea to precipitous for five minutes, and then squeeze on the bags. Remove the bags, add cold water and ice cubes. To sweeten, use honey.
Herbal teas aren't really teas at all. They are made from a different class of edible plants. Herbal teas don't have the same combination of antioxidants, so their benefits are not that considerable. But they may treat some problems. Chamomile, lavender or lemon-balm tea, for instance, can help you fall asleep, while mint teas may ease nasal clogging.
"Medicinal" teas, on the other hand, mean they can treat whatever ails you. But "medicinal" teas are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor are manufacturers legally required to prove their claims, which implies that you take it at your own risk.
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