Magic in a Mug: The Many Benefits of a Daily Cup of Tea

By Alisa Hrustic on February 1, 2014

It’s 9:00 a.m.—it’s only the first hour of the day and feelings of sluggishness already begin to consume your achy limbs. The bags cradling tired eyes and your puffy, pale skin only accentuate how late you forced yourself to stay up to complete all of the things on your to do list. We’ve all experienced this moment.

The solution? Coffee? Energy drink? Mountain Dew?

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Before you gulp down a sugary, overly caffeinated beverage to help kick yourself into “Get Things Done Mode” take a second to recognize what you’re actually putting in your body, and if it’s producing more positive effects than negative ones.

There is a beverage, however, that is more overlooked than it should be. Unlike coffees, sodas, and those double shot cans of “energy,” making tea a part of your daily diet can lead to a pot full of health benefits.

There are three commonly consumed types of tea, and while almost all teas are an excellent source of antioxidants (although it varies depending how the tea is processed), they each provide our bodies with different beneficiary services.

Black tea:

  • Black tea is the most common and caffeinated type of tea. Instead of reaching for a mug of coffee, try black tea instead.
  • Black tea gains its rich color because it goes through an oxidation process, which also contributes to its deeper, more bitter like flavor.
  • It’s a natural destresser, so next time you feel like you have a long night of work ahead of you, sip on a cup of black tea to get that extra boost of energy while still feeling relaxed.
  • The high amounts of antioxidants residing in this tea have also been linked to lower cholesterol levels, and some studies show that those who regularly drink black tea display lower obesity levels.

Green tea:

  • This is perhaps the most commonly heard of tea, but be warned—bottled green teas can often be full of sugar so try to go for an all natural brand instead.
  • Green tea is also full of antioxidants known to block serious health concerns like cancers and heart disease.
  • It protects the body against chronic inflammation, which plays a role in the development of diabetes and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
  • Green tea can lead to better dental health due to its bacteria fighting properties.
  • Trying to maintain a healthy weight? Green tea helps increase metabolism while reducing cravings.

White tea:

  • White tea has the mildest flavor of this trio because the leaves are minimally processed post harvesting. Minimal processing also ensures that tea bags (as opposed to just tea leaves) don’t lose as many antioxidants once distributed to stores.
  • Although it holds the lowest caffeine content, white tea still gives you a mini boost so you receive the benefits of caffeine (like alertness and extra energy) without suffering through side effects like anxiety, headaches, and irritability.
  • Along with helping you kick-start the day, white tea also fights effects seen with aging and is especially good for your skin. If your face is feeling pale and puffy from a busy week, white tea helps keep the skin firm.
  • If you’re not a fan of just drinking milk, white tea is a good substitute as it helps increase bone strength and density.

Keep in mind that all natural teas are your best source of all these rich benefits. If you find the taste to be bitter go for more natural sweeteners like honey, lemon, or even a little bit of milk instead of sugar.

 

(Want more from Alisa? Find stories here!)

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