Tea is a drink many enjoy throughout their day as refreshing drinks that do not harm your health as some drinks do. There are several types of teas and they all have health benefits. Here are some of them:
1. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is prepared by peeling and slicing pieces of ginger and boiling them in water (For recipes of ginger tea, click here). It has many benefits like:
a) Improves digestion – Ginger tea helps alleviate morning sickness and is helpful with nausea during chemotherapy or other GI issues.
b) Improves chronic pain – The University of Sydney found ginger improves pain and helps with arthritis due to anti-inflammatory properties.
c) Improves blood circulation – Ginger improves blood circulation by thinning the blood. It also prevents platelets from sticking together that are responsible for blood clotting. It calms the stomach and helps reduce cholesterol and protect against heart disease.
d) Cancer benefits – Research finds ginger responsible for death of ovarian cancer cells. Its also responsible for slowing down growth of colon cancer cells.
2. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is a caffeine-free tisane infusion of peppermint. It contains menthol and is beneficial in many ways:
a) Relaxing – Peppermint tea makes you feel relaxed and is a good way to fall asleep if you are struggling with it. Its effective in fighting insomnia and helps those who are sleep-deprived.
b) Soothes your stomach – Try this tea if you are suffering from stomach aches, pains, cramps, or diarrhea. Just one cup of peppermint tea can help soothe your stomach. Its called the stomach healer.
c) Immune system – Peppermint tea can help prevent the common cold and flu. This is because peppermint tea contains high amounts of potassium, calcium, and vitamin B, all of which are useful in fighting cold and flu.
d) Weight Loss- Due to its positive role in digestion, peppermint tea is also believed to be helpful in your weight loss journey.
3. Green Tea
Green tea has several amazing health benefits and one should enjoy this tea to stay healthy and fit. Here are some benefits of green tea:
a) Fights cancer – It has been observed in countries where green tea’s consumption is high cancer rates are lower. It has positive effects on breast, ovarian, bladder, colorectal, prostate, skin, lung, and stomach cancer due to high levels of polyphenols present in it.
b) Heart disease – A study conducted by the American Medical Association found green tea is linked with reduced mortality including cardiovascular disease. Those who drink green tea are less prone to heart disease, it can also help lower bad cholesterol if you drink it every day.
c) Miscellaneous – Green tea can help combat obesity. It helps shed extra pounds. It also prevents dental cavities, chronic fatigue, and improves arthritis and skin conditions by reducing inflammation.
4. Black Tea
Black tea plays an important role in keeping you fit as it is more oxidized than other tea variants. You can retain this tea longer. Here are some reasons to drink black tea:
a) Low in fat and calories – Its great for those who want to shed weight. You can replace harmful drinks with black tea and stay fit and healthy as it is low in calories, fat, and sodium.
b) Reduces cardiovascular problems – Increased consumption of black tea leads to decrease in cardiovascular disease. Boston University explains that intake of black tea reverses the endothelial vasomotor dysfunction in people with coronary artery disease.
c) Antioxidants – Black tea contains polyphenols which are an antioxidant. Antioxidants can help with several problems like hearing loss, brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease.
5. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile comes from the daisy family and is used to cure several health conditions. It has anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. Here are some reasons to drink this tea:
a) Treats insomnia – Chamomile tea is effective for treating insomnia and other sleeping disorders. It also relaxes you and helps you get sound sleep. Drink this tea 30 – 45 minutes before you go to bed. It also helps relieve anxiety and panic attacks.
b) Helps reduce migraines – This tea is good for curing migraines. Take it as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine before it gets severe.
c) Helps with stomach and skin problems – Stomach problems like menstrual cramps, stomach flu, and ulcers can be helped by this tea. Its also helpful with psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash.
d) Treats Cold and Flu– Most importantly, chamomile is famous for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits. So the next time you got cold or flu, reach to your mug and brew some chamomile tea.
What Tea Should You Be Drinking?
By Divya Shree
Edited by Stephanie Dawson
Reviewed by Nima Shei MD
