Types of Tea & their Health Benefits

Prefer tea to coffee?

Some cannot kick start their day or work without having a cup of Tea and to some others, a cup of tea is considered as “liquid luck” (not the Felix Felicis potion). We even make certain decisions over a cup of tea. It is demanded by every second person in different countries. Did you know the history of tea dates back to the 16th century?

There’s a reason why everyone, from your grandmother to your health care provider recommends a cup of tea. Tea is majorly known to relieve stress, enhance immune function, soothe a sore throat, against cold, relieve from headache etc.

Pros and cons :

There are more benefits than side effects. One must not abuse the brilliance of this age-old drink. There has been a gradual shift from the regular white tea to green and black tea. Green, black, white, oolong teas, all contain varying levels of caffeine, theanine, an amino acid that may heighten mental alertness. Food critics, nutritionists and dieticians all do recommend it. So why is it so good?

The good :

• Contains antioxidants
• Has fewer amounts of caffeine than coffee
• May reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke other heart conditions
• Removes plaque formation
• Boosts your immunity
• Protects against different types of cancers.
• Strengthens the bones
• Teas contain natural compounds like the polyphenols which are also found in fruit, vegetables, cereals, and beverages, which help reduce the risks to a variety of illnesses
• It is also known to increase the fat burning and boosting the metabolic rate, in human controlled trials

The bad – addiction to tea

• Has high tannin content
• Does contain a low amount of caffeine
• Discolouration of teeth
• Constant headaches upon withdrawal – signs showing the addiction to tea.
• Reheating may cause more harm than good.

Personalizing Your Tea?

Tea is the second most sought-after drink after water and has been around for an enormously long time. TWG (The Wellbeing Group) Tea, established in Singapore 2008, holds a menu card of selling 800 different types of teas which are divided by the colour – red, white, yellow, green, blue and black, their most expensive tea, Gold Yin Zhen is sold for NT$250,000 per kilogram.

Most of the teas are derived from Camellia sinensis plants (except for herbal tea, which can be made from a variety of herbs, spices, and other plant material, and usually doesn’t contain caffeine).

Let’s take a quick drill to different tea types

Tea ceremonies – a cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of tea, are still common and are the cultural quotient of many communities. This tradition, their crockery, the ritual was sacred, even without the in-depth analysis and knowledge on the benefits and side effects of tea drinking. This exotic beverage has been passed on to generations together.

It defines a community in many different ways, it defines a person- their personality too today! One must remember that tea has evolved with texture, flavour and has had salons established worldwide under its name, yet remains the same till date – it’s an undeniable charm, its taste. Sometimes the saying is true, – ‘A cup of tea makes everything better’. On a mundane day, it certainly does!