Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Healthy Tea Cup

By Cynthia White

New research proves that tea really is healthy. But tea is more than just healthy, it can be very tasty as well. The history of tea goes back thousands of years. Today, tea is enjoyed by people around the world. In many countries, doctors prescribe certain types of tea to cure certain ailments.

All types of tea (green tea, oolong tea, black tea, etc.) come from the Camellia sinensis plant. This is why all teas have pretty much the same health benefits. The Camellia sinensis shrub is an evergreen whose buds and leaves are used to make most types of tea. What has changed over the years is the way in which we process Camellia sinensis leaves. Today, a wide variety of processing methods exists that gives the tea many different flavors. Some of these methods include: crushed, torn, curled, cut, whole, withered, and steamed leaves.

Tea is loaded with polyphenols. So are fruits and vegetables. But what makes tea even better than fruits and vegetables is the amount of polyphenols it has. Research has shown that tea has about 15 times the levels of polyphenols as fruits and vegetables! Polyphenols destroy free radicals. Free radicals are what cause heart disease, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and even cancer!

Tea also has what are called Phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are the subject of intense research and study. Recent studies have shown that the Phytochemicals in tea reduce inflammation, cholesterol levels, and improve bone density. In other studies, Phytochemicals have been shown to improve memory and to slow down the overall aging process!

Tea is also an excellent source of naturally occurring flavonoids and fluoride that can inhibit the formation of plaque and kill harmful bacteria. Tea has been studied for its unique ability to prevent cavities, control halitosis and support healthy teeth and gums.

New research has shown that green tea is great for losing weight. First, green tea helps control hunger by making you feel full when you really are not. Second, green tea has chemicals that boost a person's metabolism rate and speeds up their fat oxidization.

What is really incredible, if you think about it, is that people learned that tea was healthy thousands of years before doctors and scientists even existed. No one knew what Phytochemicals or free radicals even were 100 years ago and yet people were drinking tea more than 2,000 years ago! Tea continues to be the world's best selling beverage because of its great taste and healing properties.

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