Which Tea Suits You?

The tea, discovered in China quite by chance, has undergone changes, improvements, and transformations until it reached its strong status with a huge variety of types, occupying significant space in stores. Let's first distinguish between the existing types of tea.

Black tea, the most common, has a strong aroma. Its origin is from the camellia plant that has undergone oxidation; green tea, with a delicate flavor, also originates from the camellia plant - but without the oxidation process; oolong tea is a combination of black and green tea; herbal tea, whether combined with the tea plants mentioned above or not, includes a wide family of herbal infusions and wildflowers that have earned the moniker "medicinal plants," as they are attributed with essential and healing properties for bodily ailments.

Why drink tea? For many reasons. Here they are.

Relaxing and refreshing: Tea has gained momentum worldwide due to its relaxing and refreshing properties. In some parts of the world, it is even highly regarded and attributed a special break. Definitions like "tea break" and "tea time" serve as reasons for a break from activities and to provide a rest for the mind. Tea is naturally accepted as a light conclusion to a heavy meal.

Moreover, tea, especially green tea, has been perceived in recent years as assisting in a slimming diet. Unlike diet pills and other miracle products sold to weight-watchers, the tea and diet theory is based on various scientific studies. Green tea extract containing caffeine and catechin has lipase-inhibiting activity and thermogenesis-enhancing activity (without speeding up the heart rate). These two activities stimulate the metabolism rate, thus aiding in weight loss.

The research is still ongoing, so it is not really clear how much tea should be drunk to significantly boost metabolism and whether drinking green tea in these quantities does not outweigh the advantages. In any case, the activities described above are associated with the central nervous system and may lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Tea and cholesterol: As mentioned, green tea contains a large amount of catechin (the higher the quality of the leaves and the less processed they are - the amount of catechin is greater), a substance identified as contributing to lowering cholesterol levels. Therefore, it is recommended for those suffering from high cholesterol levels to incorporate it into their daily diet.

Tea and diabetes: Beyond the contribution of green tea in weight loss, there are several plants that can be brewed into tea and have been identified as contributing to lowering blood sugar levels - and are therefore recommended for diabetics. Among those sold in the country are stevia plant infusion (which has not yet been approved by the FDA), gymnema, olive leaves, and nettle. Although they are sold in stores freely under different brands, it is not advisable to consume them regularly without combined guidance and advice with a daily diet plan.

Tea and other ailments: Upon entering the world of "herbal teas," it is discovered that it is a complete and extensive healing doctrine. Through medicinal plants, one can tailor medicinal herbs for a wide range of ailments and diseases that they are claimed to heal. The clear advantage is that it is a natural treatment without the chemical components of conventional medicines, the disadvantage is the inability to evaluate the healing. The level of influence of herbal infusions, if any, is individual – it may solve problems for one, while another may not notice any contribution.

Since it is a very broad topic, I will refer below only to mild health issues and relatively common infusions on supermarket shelves. Some of the infusions come ready as tea bags, and some as dried plants to be brewed with water using a special strainer. Of course, caution must be taken against worms, so it is necessary to use a silk strainer to filter the insects, if present.

Below we will check which types of tea are beneficial for various issues:

Strengthening the immune system - Echinacea tea, ginseng, hip infusion, and cinnamon tea (helps warm the body for those who suffer from cold); colds and coughs - sage tea, eucalyptus, and linden; blood and liver cleansing (very important for protein diet efforts or artificial sweetener consumers) - dandelion infusion (also cleanses the kidneys) and milk thistle infusion; gases, stomach pains, and digestive discomfort - fennel tea, anise, chamomile, and linden; stress, insomnia, and restlessness - chamomile tea, lemon balm, and thyme or thyme infusion; nausea - peppermint tea, ginger, and mint; phlegm - linden infusion, mint tea, sage, and eucalyptus.

Since research on the subject is not yet complete, it is unclear the extent to which the antioxidants in tea contribute, while other components in it are harmful. Therefore, it is advisable to consume tea in moderation: no more than 3 cups a day of green or black tea.

Keep in mind that a cup of black or green tea does not compare to a glass of water in terms of the fluid intake the body needs. On the contrary, it contains caffeine and thus "dries up." Therefore, it is recommended to drink an additional glass of water for every cup of tea (or coffee).

Like any other drink, tea should not be drunk during meals: allow the food to undergo part of the digestion process, and thus allow the enzymes to work efficiently in its breakdown. Avoiding drinking half an hour before meals until half an hour after meals will bring optimal digestion of the food. The separation between meals and drinks also contributes to the weight loss process (and this might be more convincing for you to adopt the idea).

Like coffee, tea containing caffeine is not recommended before bedtime. Since green tea stimulates metabolism, it should not be consumed alone, without a meal, on an empty stomach.

The many advantages of tea indeed give it a standing as an essential nutritional source in the daily diet. Beyond the basic enjoyment of drinking it and the sensations it leaves behind, it is packed with nutritional benefits that are not nullified against other foods. Tea contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Moreover, tea, especially green tea, is an excellent package of antioxidants (coming from a high concentration of polyphenols, as much as the green tea quality is higher) that help prevent damage caused by oxidation processes. The efficiency of these substances surpasses that of vitamins, and therefore tea is attributed to high importance in disease prevention.

But tea also has its disadvantages. It contains about 4% harmful substances to health, including caffeine (about 50% of the caffeine in coffee). In addition to the known harm from caffeine - these substances stimulate the central nervous system, expand the bronchi, and diuretics. Therefore, overconsumption and exaggeration will not find their place here either.

The article presents many benefits of tea, all of which are with reservations, in view of the fact that all the studies are still ongoing. This does not prevent you from keeping your eyes open and personally examining how it affects your body.