The Truth About Tea

5 years ago, I couldn't of told you a darned thing about tea. I was very much a coffee drinker and just found tea was like drinking a beverage that had been watered down significantly, like gatorade or koolaid for example. I always found it to be lacking flavour and really had no interest in it whatsoever. Well, as time has gone on, and I've learned so much more about the benefits of drinking tea, I've replaced a lot of the other beverages in my life for tea. I no longer drink coffee after my morning cup, I rarely drink pop, and aside from several glasses of water in a day, I drink tea!

It's time for a little lesson on tea and the many benefits drinking tea can have for your body!

Although many hot beverages are referred to as tea, there are five types of tea that are considered actual tea. These teas are all derived from the same leaves and contain flavonoids and polyphenols with the difference between them being the amount of time they are oxidized / processed.

These teas are white, black, green, oolong, and pu-erh. Let's break down the differences and their body benefits!

• WHITE TEA - White tea is the purest form of tea and has been left uncured / unfermented. It has the lowest amount of caffeine but the highest amount of free radical fighting antioxidants. White tea is reported to have antibacterial properties as well as the potential to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. 
• GREEN TEA - Green tea has definitely received the most publicity of all of the teas. Reported to have a slew of body  benefits including fighting a host of illnesses, providing antioxidants that fight cell damage, and lowering cholesterol, green tea is one of the lesser processed teas and therefore retains much of its antioxidants. Try adding a wedge of lemon for an additional boost of antioxidants, vitamins, and flavour.
• BLACK TEA - Black tea is exposed to oxygen which turns the leaves black and contains the highest amount of caffeine. Black tea is also used as the base for teas like chai tea which incorporates additional spices and seeds to add additional flavour. Black tea has been reported to help protect lungs, lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes, help with digestion, and regulate blood sugar levels.
• OOLONG TEA - Falling between green and black teas, it is slightly oxidized and has a fruity flavour. Oolong tea is reported to help lower bad cholesterol, help with skin conditions, and provide free radical fighting antioxidants. A word of caution, oolong tea has a large amount of caffeine so those who are sensitize should be mindful of this.
• PU-ERH TEA - Made from fermented and aged leaves, this tea is also considered a black tea. Reported to help with weight management and reduction of bad cholesterol.

HERBAL TEAS are not actually tea at all and contain no caffeine naturally. Herbal teas have many reported benefits but are less studied than traditional teas. 

• PEPPERMINT - The oils and menthol in peppermint are thought to have therapeutic effects on the body. Peppermint acts as a decongestant, has anti-inflammatory properties, and aids in appetite suppression. It is also known to help freshen breath!
• CHAMOMILE - Chamomile has many reported benefits including cancer fighting properties, aiding in sleeplessness, and preventing damage from diabetes, loss of vision and kidney damage, and even has antibacterial properties. 
• DANDELION - Dandelion tea has received a lot of press lately for its potential to fight various forms of cancer. On top of this, dandelion root tea is known to help treat jaundice, hepatitis, and act as diuretic. It also contains high amounts of vitamin K which is great for healthy blood and healing wounds. 

Other varieties of herbal teas include stinging nettle, hibiscus, rooibos, ginger, turmeric, and echinacea. All of these teas have a variety of reported body benefits so it's important to try and get a variety to reap all of the rewards.

                 5 TIPS for TEA-ING PROPERLY

• Learn about the proper temperatures for steeping. Each tea has a very specific temperature you must steep it at to reap all of the benefits. Going too hot could kill off the antioxidants while going too cold will not activate them. Make sure to do your research when it comes to steeping.
• GO ORGANIC! Unlike produce, you cannot wash pesticides away on your tea so I strongly recommend purchasing organic teas. The idea of liquefying pesticides is disturbing and frankly, works against all of the health benefits the tea provides.
• Be mindful of the caffeine and when you are drinking your tea. Herbal teas are great any time of the day while teas like black or oolong contain caffeine and may work against falling asleep at night.
• Adding in flavours to your tea is a great way to get additional benefits. Try blends that include ginger, lemon, and turmeric for added flavour and nutritional benefits.
• Avoid adding things like milk or sugar to your tea. They will diminish the nutritional properties and add in unwanted calories. If you must add sweetness, opt for honey.

​www.webmd.com/diet/features/tea-types-and-their-health-benefits#2

​helloglow.co/the-health-benefits-of-tea-15-teas-for-any-ailment/