Health Benefits of Tea - Dr. Jim Collins

There has been a good amount of research on the health benefits of tea, and the results keep coming. The bottom line is that a daily intake of tea is good for the body and the brain. While researchers cannot agree on all health benefits, there seems to be evidence that tea may reduce risks of heart disease, and stroke.

Why Tea is Good for Us

Tea contains high levels of antioxidants including polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechins. These take on free radicals in the body and prevent them from harming healthy cells. Drinking tea can actually be considered disease prevention. Of course, antioxidants are found in other foods including several fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, chocolate, coffee, beer and wine.

You Get What You Pay For

Higher quality teas may contain more catechin antioxidants than lower quality teas. Most people believe that green tea is the healthiest, but it has been discovered that white tea has more antioxidants than any other tea. Green tea has more antioxidants than black tea, since it goes through more processing. It is also important to know that freshly brewed tea has more polyphenol antioxidants than instant or bottled tea.

Heart Benefits

Some studies have found that tea drinkers have lower blood pressure than those who don’t drink tea. Tea may also lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, black tea does have some good health benefits, such as lowering bad cholesterol. The Journal of the American Heart Association indicates that tea consumption may have protective qualities among people who already have heart disease.

Cancer

In terms of benefits for cancer conditions, green and black tea may slow down the spread of prostate cancer and may even protect against cancer caused by smoking. Green and white tea may fight colon cancer and hot tea may lower the risk of some skin cancers. Some studies also report that green tea may help to kill leukemia cells.

Other Benefits

There are reports that tea can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. It may play a role in fighting the AIDs virus, according to research in Japan. For people looking for a weight loss solution, green tea has been shown to raise metabolic rates, speed up fat oxidation and improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. There is also some evidence that drinking tea while working out can increase endurance while burning fat.

There is also evidence that drinking green tea regularly might help prevent diabetes. It can boost the immune system and lower the risk of cognitive impairment in later life. There is some evidence that tea lowers stress hormone levels and may reduce the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some believe that tea is good for the skin and can actually prolong life expectancy.

Final Thoughts on Health Benefits of Tea

Who knew that tea contained so many health benefits for the body and brain? It has been consumed by countless cultures for thousands of years and has been used as medicine by some ancient peoples. What did they know so long ago that we are discovering now? The bottom line is tea is healthy, so drink up!

(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Employee Wellness? Checkout my Employee Wellness CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)