Benefits of Tea

Studies have shown that tea has calming effects on people who are under stress. In fact, it is the traditional stress remedy.

• Have the ability to manage their stressors more quickly than those who drink a fake tea substitute.

• lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood after a stressful event.
  
• Blood platelet activation – linked to blood clotting – is also lower in tea drinkers.
  
• There is a greater degree of relaxation in the recovery period after the task.
  
• Regular black tea consumption may help improve the way your body responds to daily stressors. The levels of stress we experience do not reduce, but tea does bring stress hormone levels back to normal quicker.
  
• Tea may help reduce obesity as it increases metabolism rate, reduces fat absorption, activates enzymes and reduces appetite.
  
• The levels of fluoride in tea help prevent cavities by inhibiting bacterial growth as well as potentially harmful enzymes in your mouth (Blocks the attachment of the bacteria associated with dental cavities )
  
• Tea is the best food source of a group called catechins. In test tubes, catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage to cells and appear to have other disease-fighting properties. In catechin's oxidized condensed product, antibodies of oxidization can prevent formation and growth of cancerous cells.
  
• Studies have found an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder.
  
• Additional benefits for regular consumers of green and black teas include a reduced risk for heart disease. The antioxidants in green, black, and oolong teas can help block the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good) cholesterol and improve artery function.
  
• A Chinese study published recently showed a 46%-65% reduction in hypertension risk in regular consumers of oolong or green tea, compared to non-consumers of tea.
  
• Tea is also a deodorant thus drinking tea in the mornings will freshen up your breath for the day.
  
• Build up natural resistance for the body.
  
• Reduces platelet aggregation
  
• Inhibiting pathogenic bacteria that cause food poisoning

The potential benefits of tea are so great, with relatively small side-effects (primarily, the effects of caffeine)

To bring out the best in your cup

• Drinking a cup of tea a few times a day to absorb antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. In green-tea drinking cultures, the usual amount is three cups per day.
  
• Allow tea to steep for three to five minutes to bring out its catechins.
  
• The best way to get the catechins and other flavonoids in tea is to drink it freshly brewed. Decaffeinated, bottled ready-to-drink tea preparations, and instant teas have less of these compounds.
  
• Tea can impede the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables. Adding lemon or milk or drinking tea between meals will counteract this problem.