Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Four Surprising Benefits of Drinking Tea

By Sylvia Hoffman

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages on the planet and it has often times been touted as nature's wonder drug. It is prepared from the leaves, buds, and stalks of various plants and the only thing you need to prepare it as a drink is water. You can prepare it hot or drink it cold and you can drink it plain or add sugar for sweetness. The most commonly known types of teas are green tea, black tea, and white tea, but there are literally hundreds of other different types. If you haven't started drinking tea yet, then here are four powerful benefits of drinking tea to get you motivated to do so.

Tea helps to fight cavities. Polyphenols in tea inhibit the growth of oral bacteria, which is a leading cause of tooth decay. It also has fluoride in it, which is a well known cavity fighter.

It can help your skin glow. Tea is filled with something called antioxidants. These antioxidants are beneficial for your skin because they can slow down the aging process. This is done because antioxidants destroy free radicals- the major cause of cell degeneration.

It can reduce your cholesterol and lower your blood pressure. Studies are beginning to show that tea can cut down your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Studies have shown that consuming tea daily can cut down hypertension by almost half. Just one cup a day is enough to enjoy better cardiovascular health. Tea can also help lower stress and put you in a better mood. Studies have shown that it relaxes the body and mind. This is important because most of us live a very stressful life, which is bad for the body and overall health.

So those are only four out of many benefits to drinking tea. Try to drink one cup a day. Drink some first thing in the morning for a pick me up or sit down and night and enjoy it before you go to sleep. You'll find that it not only satisfies your thirst, but it's also great for your health.

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