Health Benefits of Tea

A humble cup of tea is one of our best defenses against illness and ageing. Many studies have been done which suggest that drinking tea every day can significantly improve your health. It doesn’t cost much to add a daily cuppa into your routine, and you’ll soon feel the difference.

The following properties give tea its health benefits:

POLYPHENOLS
- The primary biological active ingredients of tea are powerful antioxidants that counteract free radicals in the body, thought to contribute to cancer.
ESSENTIAL OILS
- They develop during the production process from the active substances in the leaves and give tea much of its aroma and fragrance.
VITAMINS & NUTRIENTS
- Tea is high in Vitamin C. Just two small cups of green tea have as much Vitamin C as a large glass of orange juice. Tea is also a good source of manganese, potassium, niacin, folic acid and trace amounts of Vitamins B1, B2 and Potassium.

SUMMARY OF HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA:

ANTI-CANCER
- Studies suggest that the antioxidant properties of tea have an effect against cancer cells by inhibiting formation of cancer causing substances. Some studies have concluded that there is evidence that tea decreases the risk of stomach, colon and breast cancer and that the compound TF2 in red tea causes colorectal cancer cells to commit suicide.
IMMUNITY
- Polyphenols increase the white blood cell count, which is responsible for fighting infection. The high Vitamin C content in green tea also helps to prevent and fight colds.
CARDIOVASCULAR
- Research shows that a diet rich in the antioxidants found in tea help prevent heart disease and stroke. Tea constituents stimulate the circulatory system, lower high blood pressure, strengthen blood vessels, and decrease bad cholesterol levels.
DIGESTION
- Essential oils and polyphenols aid digestion by increasing the flow of digestive juices. Drinking tea during or after a high cholesterol meal lowers the increase in the fat content of the blood.
SLIM & DIABETES
- Tea's antioxidant EGCE has been shown in research to stimulate the body to burn calories. One study showed that a daily dose of 270mg of EGCG causes men to burn about 4% more energy without increasing the heart rate. Studies also suggest that EGCG has anti-diabetic effects.
TEETH & BONES
- Many dentists recommend drinking tea because it is rich in fluorides, a mineral that strengthens both the tooth enamel and bones and fights osteoporosis. Polyphenols also affect the bacteria in the mouth, reducing the formation of plaque and bad breath.
HEALTHY SKIN
- Free radicals can damage the skin and cause it to prematurely age. By scavenging these free radicals, tea protects the skin and helps to reverse some of the damage to promote healthy and radiant skin.
ANTIBACTERIAL
- Tea has been shown in research to have an ability to neutralise germs and some scientists believe that tea can help combat common throat infections and diarrhea.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
- The TF-2 compound found in tea suppresses inflammation.