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For all those that make tea drinking a regular part of their lives, its more than just a quick and convenient pick-me-up; it’s also an occasion, a deliberate pause for pleasure and relaxation. If only we could relax this much when we eat! Not only is it relaxing, it may also give your health a boost.

Tea Types:

All tea leaves come from the same species of an evergreen shrub related to the magnolia, but each tea has individual characteristics imparted by growing conditions and the processing of the leaves.

The leaves of black teas, such as Darjeeling, English Breakfast, and Lapsang Souchong, are fermented, then heated and dried; they produce a dark red-brown brew. Green teas, such as Gunpowder, are unfermented; their greenish, slightly bitter taste is preferred in Asian countries. Oolong teas, such as Formosa Oolong, undergo partial fermentation and produce a brew with milder characteristics of both black and green teas.

Health Benefits:

Black tea and green tea are both rich in plant compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids appear to help protect health by acting as antioxidants and preventing free radicals from damaging the cells in our bodies. To maximize the flavonoid content of your cup of tea consider steeping it for 3-5 minutes and dunking the tea bag several times.

New results form the Third International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health held in September 2002 revealed:

A recent review of several studies linked the consumption of 3 cups of tea to an 11% lower risk of heart attack. The Rotterdam study from the Netherlands found that 4 cups of black tea per day was associated with significantly less plaque buildup on artery walls. Black tea may also help dilate arteries in patients suffering from heart disease.

A study of 900 Chinese women at the Curtin University of Technology in Australia found that the risk for ovarian cancer was 60% less in green tea drinkers than in non-tea drinkers. In Japan, breast cancer recurrence was lower in green tea drinkers, especially if they drank more than 5 cups per day, than in non-tea drinkers. Studies in the works are finding that tea may also reduce joint inflammation, slow cartilage breakdown and help keep bones strong.

Caffeine:
A typical cup of tea contains 40-55 mg caffeine and a cup of coffee contains about 125-150mg. Most health experts will recommend no more than 300mg caffeine daily which is about 6 cups of tea. Decaffeinated tea may contain up to 50% less flavonoids than regular tea.

Iron absorption:
Tea can significantly inhibit the absorption of non-heme iron (iron from plant sources). Try to drink tea between meals instead of with them. If you really like your tea with breakfast, consider having a source of vitamin C such as orange juice to help improve iron absorption.

Iced Tea:
Tea bags were first invented by Americans in their search for something faster. They were also the first to drink tea on ice and now we find all sorts of ready made tea. From the artificial sugar based ice tea crystals to iced tea in cans in our pop machines. With all the hype around the health benefits of tea, we see Snapple, Lipton’s and Nestea flying off the shelves, but don’t get sucked in, these beverages are no where near the health promoters that their root beverage, plain tea, is.