It’s official – tea is good for you! Drinking three or more cups a day is as healthy as drinking water, and can help to protect against heart disease and some cancers. Science may only have just confirmed the many benefits of a good cuppa, but us true tea enthusiasts knew it was the superior beverage all along. Here’s 10 reasons why you should drink more tea – if you don’t drink a boat load already!
It’s great for your skin.
One of tea’s greatest benefits is its ability to hydrate our bodies. Unlike coffee, which acts as a diuretic and basically does the opposite. Hydration is important for your skin, so drinking tea is a simple yet effective beauty tip!
It can help you lose weight.
In one study, participants who regularly drank hot tea had a lower waist circumference and BMI (body mass index) than those who didn’t. Tea is also generally low calorie, especially in comparison to other beverages if you’re purchasing from a cafe or chain. For example, a Starbucks medium- sized full-fat latte contains 223 calories, whereas a cup of tea with milk equals roughly eight (although this goes up if you add sugar).
Tea contains antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect your body from the signs of aging and the effects of pollution, and can also help to prevent cataracs (clouding in the lens of the eye) which can cause blindness.
It protects your bones.
As well as the milk you add to your cuppa, tea also contains beneficial phytochemicals. This is why the results of one study showed that over a ten year period regular tea drinkers had stronger bones than those who didn’t.
Green tea can lower your cholesterol.
Green tea can lower both kinds of cholesterol, these are serum (found in your bloodstream) and LDL (comes from food, also known as bad cholesterol). The more you drink, the lower the levels get.
It can help to reduce stress.
As well as the many benefits of relaxing on the sofa with a good cuppa, tea also lowers levels of cortisol, AKA the stress hormone.
Tea drinkers have a stronger immune system.
A study by Harvard University found that the immune cells of tea drinkers responded five times better to germs than coffee drinkers. Yet again this is linked to stress levels, as over time raised amounts of cortisol weaken your immune system.
It can improve your memory.
Been more forgetful than usual lately? Well, studies have shown that a combination of caffeine and L-Theanine – an amino-acid found in tea – increases reaction time and memory recall, all while improving concentration and focus.
Tea can lower your risk of dementia.
As well as enhancing your brain in the short-term, it can also help your mind in the long run. Green tea is thought to help conserve brain cells due to a component called CAGTE, which in high concentrations protects against the toxic effects of the protein amyloid-beta, a key protein in Alzheimer’s Disease.
Tea may help to prevent cancer.
Green, black, white and oolong teas contain compounds called catechins, which scientists think may help to stop the growth of cancer cells and prevent cellular mutations that contribute to the development of the disease. Regular tea drinkers are also shown to have a reduced risk for colon, breast, ovarian, prostate, and lung cancers. Win!
How do you drink your tea? Tell us in the comments!
