Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease. While some brews provide more health advantages than others, there's plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.
Several experts believe that a warm cup of tea can help calm your mind, especially at the end of a long day. In fact, the methodical practice of preparing a cup of tea can help relax you as well. We recommend making a ritual of your nightly bedtime tea.
What's the better choice, coffee or tea? “Neither is particularly harmful, and both offer an abundance of potential health benefits. Like most things in life, it comes down to portion control and individual preference,” Bollig said. If you aren't sensitive to caffeine, both are considered healthy.
Best for overall health: green tea
When it comes to tea, green tea gets the gold. “Green tea is the champ when it comes to offering health benefits,” says Czerwony. “It's the Swiss Army knife of teas. It covers a lot of territory.”
Can tea replace water as a source of hydration? In short: no. In the water-versus-tea battle, water still wins. Because water doesn't contain caffeine, sugar, or other additives, it's the purest form of hydration.
Drinking hot tea has a naturally calming effect. Enjoying a cup requires us to sit, slow down, and relax – all of which are natural weapons against stress and anxiety. To maximize this benefit go for caffeine-free herbal teas, such as peppermint and passion flower, or lavender.
Should I Drink Tea before Bed? While there is some evidence that the body is better able to absorb nutrients during sleep, the difference is likely negligible. If you choose to drink tea, you can enjoy the potential benefits at any time of the day or night.
Like green tea, it's a rich source of catechins. In one study, more than two-thirds of overweight people who drank oolong tea every day for six weeks lost more than 2 pounds and trimmed belly fat.
Morning teas can help give a stress-free start to your day. They contain an amino acid called L-theanine that has a soothing and relaxing effect on the mind. One study found that black tea helped bring down cortisol levels in stressed patients by as much as 47%.
There are a few ways drinking tea during a natural detox will help to support and enhance the process. The antioxidants contained in most varieties of tea are thought to help flush the body of toxins such as those caused by too much caffeine, food additives, smoke, alcohol and other environmental factors.
Milk tea (without sugar being added) is healthy
It is hydrating and satisfying, especially when served over ice, on a hot and muggy day. It contains antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of heart issues or cancer.
The best time to drink tea is an hour after breakfast or lunch, or in the evening along with some snacks. Nutritionists suggest alternatives like juice (without sugar), water infused with herbs, honey or lemon, or just plain warm water first thing in the morning to help kickstart your day.
Honey has many benefits, both when consumed on its own and when added to tea. Honey is a natural antibacterial, so it can help fight off infection. It's also a great source of antioxidants and can help boost your immune system. honey is also thought to help relieve coughs and sore throats.
Steeping tea in cold water has been shown to provide the same antioxidant and nutritional benefits in most cases. The exception to this is white tea. White tea has been shown to actually have increased antioxidant properties when steeped in cold water instead of hot.
Research suggests that tea may also play a direct role in weight loss. “Teas contain catechins, which can increase metabolism by stimulating the body to break fats down more quickly and burn more calories,” Koszyk says.
Tea also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which promotes relaxation. In this sense, tea is unique in that the combination of caffeine and L-theanine means it may promote a sense of mindful alertness. It has also been suggested that drinking tea lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Milk is more hydrating than water
For example, milk was found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep hydration happening over a longer period.
Doctors recommend a caffeine intake of no more than 400mg to reduce your chance of negative symptoms like restlessness, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, and dehydration. Therefore, in terms of caffeine, many consider more than 8 cups of tea to be too much.
Bring water to a rolling boil and immediately pour over your tea bag. Steep for a good 3 to 5 minutes. (Great taste can't be rushed—it really does take the full time to release the tea's entire flavor.) Remove the tea bag, relax and enjoy!