First, let me be clear. I am a coffee lover. The last thing I do before I head to bed at night is set up my coffee maker and that hot pot of coffee waiting for me in the kitchen is the primary reason I get out of bed at 5:45 a.m. So this post will not be a lecture on the evils of coffee drinking or in any way suggest that you consider tea as a replacement to your morning coffee.
That said, over the past few years, I have been persuaded to incorporate tea drinking into my daily diet because of the volumes of research on the health benefits of tea.
True teas – black, green, white, oolong and pu-erh, are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, a shrub native to China and India. These teas contain unique antioxidants called flavonoids which protect from free radicals that can contribute to cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries. New research indicates that adding citrus (i.e. a squeeze of lemon, orange or lime) can significantly boost your body’s ability to access these healthy compounds.
Of these teas, green tea is the superstar. It has the least caffeine, is the least processed and has the highest antioxidant properties. Limited studies suggest that green tea may also help lower cholesterol, burn fat, prevent diabetes and stroke and protect against dementia.
Even if you are a coffee-lover like me, you can still incorporate some anti-oxidant rich tea into your diet.
Here is an easy way:
In the summer months, I brew a pitcher of hot tea in the morning, adding the honey to the hot tea so that it dissolves. (I find most green teas to be slightly bitter so I prefer it with a bit of sweetener.) Once the tea comes to room temperature, refrigerate it until cold. Serve it in an ice filled glass with a sprig of fresh mint. This is a delicious, healthy and inexpensive alternative to your afternoon soda or sugary sports drink.
Herbal teas are also touted for their health benefits. Try peppermint tea after a meal to aid digestion; ginger tea to settle an upset stomach; or incorporate cup of chamomile tea, a tried-and-true sleep aid, into your bedtime ritual.
Have you jumped on the tea bandwagon? Let us know how you are enjoying the wide variety of healthy teas that are available.