I know it’s hard to believe, but not everyone likes coffee. I’m one of those people that prefers the taste of a hot cup of tea. Not only does tea taste good, but it is also good for you. There are a variety of teas to choose from so you can mix it up depending on your mood.
Types of tea:
These are the 5 healthy teas that your body will thank you for.
1. Black Tea
Black tea is one of the world’s most popular drinks. You can enjoy the bold, brisk flavor in a glass of iced tea in the summer or a steaming cup in the winter. Black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant.
Single-origin teas come from one location in the world and are not blended with teas from other places. A blend of tea can have tea from multiple origins. Some single-origin teas are Darjeeling, Ceylon, and Assam. Blends are more popular among consumers and include flavors like chai, earl grey, and English breakfast.
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Not only does it taste good, but black tea is also packed with health benefits. Black tea contains polyphenols which are antioxidants that can improve your overall health.
Studies have shown that regular tea consumption can lower your cholesterol, lower your blood sugar levels, strengthen your immune system, and reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. Black tea contains lower amounts of caffeine than coffee and may improve your focus and energy.
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2. Green Tea
Green tea is grown all over the world. Like black tea, it comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference lies in how the leaves are processed. Green tea leaves are not allowed to turn black (oxidize) and are quickly heated after they are picked.
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In China, the leaves are pan-fried and in Japan, the leaves are steamed. When brewed, green tea is lighter in color and has a different flavor profile than black tea. It is usually green, light brown or yellow and has a less astringent taste than black tea. One of the most popular green teas on the market is the Japanese green tea matcha where the leaves are ground into a powder.
Drinking green tea on a regular basis can improve your health. It contains less caffeine than coffee and black tea, but has enough to improve brain function and focus. Studies have shown that green tea can improve your metabolism which can help aid in weight loss.
Its powerful properties can reduce your risk for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, and Type II diabetes. Green tea is antibacterial so it can help improve your dental health and lower your risk for infection.
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3. White Tea
Like green and black tea, white tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. You’ve probably guessed that it is processed differently than its counterparts. White tea leaves are picked before the leaves are fully opened. The leaves are covered in fine white hair and are given less time to oxidize than black and green tea.
When brewed, white tea is light in color and has a light, sweet taste without any bitterness. Although other countries are developing white tea from other tea plants, white tea originates from China.
Due to the low amount of processing, white tea has high amounts of antioxidants that can help the body fight disease. White tea is an excellent fat burner and may help you with weight loss. It has antibacterial properties and can lower your risk of diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and diabetes.
4. Yellow Tea
Yellow Tea is one of the rarest and most expensive teas. Yellow tea is only produced in China from the Camellia sinensis plant. Other countries produce yellow tea, but the same process is not used. The buds are picked, pan-fired, and dried with a charcoal drying process. Yellow tea has a sweet floral taste that doesn’t have a grassy or bitter taste.
Yellow tea has anti-oxidative properties that boost your immune system. It reduces your risk of cancer and heart disease. Regular consumption can lower your cholesterol, inflammation and promote a healthy liver. Just as its counterparts, yellow tea can aid weight loss and improve digestive function.
5. Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is not a true tea because it does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal tea comes from a variety of sources like herbs, roots, flowers, and spices. There are several types of herbal tea such as chamomile, rose hips, ginger, mint, hibiscus, and echinacea to name a few.
Many herbal teas help to combat a variety of issues such as nausea, anxiety, inflammation, cold symptoms, and insomnia. Care should be taken when consuming herbal teas because some of them may interact with prescription medications or have an adverse reaction with some conditions.
Drinking tea regularly can provide several health benefits. Take care to not add too many sugary ingredients to your tea. Consuming too much sugar can cause other health conditions to arise.
Be certain that the tea you select to drink does not have a negative impact on your current health conditions. If you’ve been considering making tea a regular part of your day, grab a cup and sip your way into better health!
Dr. Candace McMillon-Dantley is the health-empowering creator of The Doc Knows and she’s on a mission to motivate you to a life of health. She has a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. When she’s not health writing, she is health motivating and educating during her interactive presentations on healthy nutrition, self-care and conditions of the body. Her experiences as a business owner, chiropractor, wife and mom of two resonate and relate with her audiences. Connect with Dr. Candace on Instagram @drcandace.
