Tea time is a good time to get extra health benefits

Enjoying a relaxing cup of tea is a popular pastime around the world, and enjoying a hot cup is a great way to reap additional health benefits.

The tea is the second most popular drink worldwideafter the water¹. This popularity stems from its relative cost – it is the cheapest drink people consume other than water¹.

Brewing a cup of your favorite tea from the more than 3,000 varieties available today can provide many research-backed health benefits¹.

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Ancient traditions

Drinking tea for its health-promoting benefits is a habit steeped in ancient traditions.with modern research providing a growing body of scientific evidence to support this belief.

People have cultivated the tea plant Camellia sinensis for thousands of years, using the leaves of this evergreen native of China mainly for medicinal purposes.

Today, people use tea to relax, in social settings and for its various potential health benefits as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

The teas we consume today often include herbal teas, which are not prepared from the Camellia plant but from dried herbs, spices, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots or leaves of other plants. These teas usually do not contain caffeine like traditional teas.

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Antioxidant energy production units

Various studies suggest that it is the polyphenolic compounds (catechins and theaflavins) found in herbal teas such as chamomile, hibiscus and ginger teas (also known as tisanes), and green (unfermented), oolong (semi-fermented) and black (fermentation) Teas are associated with numerous beneficial health effects.

The antioxidant effects of these compounds help reduce inflammation and reduce the risk or help treat various conditions, including cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and various cancers¹.

Other potential health benefits associated with tea consumption include; antiaging, antidiabetic, digestive function and calming effects¹.

Rooibos at a glance

• Rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health and function.
• Studies² suggest that rooibos may improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels, potentially benefiting people with type 2 diabetes.

Chamomile at a glance

• Known for its calming properties, studies show it can promote sleep quality³.
• Chamomile may aid digestion by reducing inflammation in the gut to possibly reduce cramping caused by smooth muscle spasms⁴.

Oolong tea at a glance

• Rich in polyphenols, particularly theaflavins and thearubigins, which may help reduce cell damage and inflammation.
• Studies⁵ confirm several health-promoting functions, including anticancer, anticardiovascular, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, and hepatoprotective effects.
• Some studies⁶ suggest that oolong tea may help with weight management by moderately boosting metabolism and promoting fat burning due to its caffeine and theacrine content.
• Contains fluoride, manganese and other minerals beneficial for bone and tooth health.
• L-theanine, an amino acid found in oolong tea, is known for its calming and enhancing effects.

Ginger tea at a glance

• It is often used for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
• It can help relieve nausea and promote healthy digestion.

Hibiscus tea at a glance

• Rich in antioxidants, which may help lower blood pressure. However, those with underlying health conditions should consult their physician, as this tea can potentially interact with medications.
• Some research⁷ suggests that hibiscus extract may help reduce body weight and body fat.

Choose your preparation

The quality and strength of herbal teas can vary, as well choose reliable brands and follow the preparation instructions described on the box.

Incorporating these herbal teas into a healthy and balanced lifestyle will ensure that you can enjoy the potential health benefits while enjoying the flavors and enjoying this popular pastime. Remember, life is often fuller with a cup of tea, so take care!

Bibliographical references:

1. Khan N, Mukhtar H. Tea and health: human studies. Curr Pharm Des. 2013? 19 (34): 6141-7. doi: 10.2174/1381612811319340008. PMID: 23448443; PMCID: PMC4055352.
2. Mazibuko-Mbeje SE, Mthembu SX, Muller CJ, Ziqubu K, Muvhulawa N, Modibedi RV, Tiano L, Dludla PV. Aspalathin ameliorates skeletal muscle insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction. Physiol Res. 2022 Nov 28;71(5):643-656. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.934844. Epub 2022 Aug 31. PMID: 36047722; PMCID: PMC9841809.
3. Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. Mol Med Rep. 2010 Nov 1; 3(6):895-901. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2010.377. PMID: 21132119; PMCID: PMC2995283.
4. Hieu TH, Dibas M, Surya Dila KA, Sherif NA, Hashmi MU, Mahmoud M, Trang NTT, Abdullah L, Nghia TLB, Y MN, Hirayama K, Huy NT. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and quasi-randomized trials. Phytother Res. 2019 Jun;33(6):1604-1615. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6349. Epub 2019 Apr 21. PMID: 31006899.
5. Shuzhen Wang, Ting Zeng, Shuang Zhao, Yu Zhu, Changchun Feng, Jianfeng Zhan, Shiming Li, Chi-Tang Ho, Alexander Gosslau, Multifunctional health-promoting effects of oolong tea and its products, Food Science and Human Wellness, Vol. 11, Issue 3, 2022, Pages 512-523, ISSN 2213-4530,
6. He RR, Chen L, Lin BH, Matsui Y, Yao XS, Kurihara H. Beneficial effects of oolong tea consumption in diet-induced overweight and obese subjects. Chin J Integr Med. 2009 Feb;15(1):34-41. doi: 10.1007/s11655-009-0034-8. Epub 2009 Mar 7. PMID: 19271168.
7. Mozaffari-Khosravi, H., Jalali-Khanabadi, BA, & Afkhami-Ardekani, M. (2009). The effects of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on hypertension in patients with type II diabetes. Journal of Human Hypertension, 23(1), 48-54.