A refreshing cup of hot tea gives a great start to the day. It relaxes our senses, rejuvenates the body to take on the day with a surplus amount of zeal and energy. Tea is obtained from the bush called Camellia sinensis. Real tea generally has four varieties – black, green, oolong and white. Any other form like the herbal tea is not the real tea but an infusion of an entirely different plant. Black tea is obtained by the oxidation process that turns the colour of the leaves from green to dark brownish-black. Green tea is obtained without oxidation of the same plant. For making green tea, leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant are unfermented, black tea requires full fermentation and for producing oolong, tea leaves are partially fermented. Although they are all obtained from the same plant but differ on how long the leaves are fermented.
Benefits
Some important benefits of tea
Tea boosts exercise endurance. According to Scientists the catechins (antioxidants) found in green tea extract improves the body’s capability to burn fat as fuel, which leads to better endurance of the muscle. It also improves the strength and mineral density of bones.
Drinking tea reduces the risk of heart attack. Tea can also help in providing protection against cardiovascular diseases. Tea contains antioxidants that might protect against cancers that include breast, colorectal, colon, lung, skin, esophagus, small intestine and stomach. Studies have revealed that it might provide protection from Pancreas, ovarian, liver and oral cancer too.
Benefits of tea to fight free radicals
Tea has a great capacity to absorb. It can help in destroying free radicals (that can damage DNA) present in the body. Our bodies have the capability to fight free radicals on their own but they’re not cent percent effective than tea can help in doing so.
Tea hydrates the body. Drinking tea lowers the risk of having Parkinson’s disease in both men and women. It also provides protection from UV rays especially the green tea that may act as a sunscreen.
Tea benefits for weight and inch loss
Tea helps in keeping a check on waist circumference. It is a calorie free beverage so regular intake of tea compared to other beverages keeps calories away thus maintains body weight too. Green tea is believed to increase metabolic rate and so just drinking about 5 cups of green tea a day one can burn approximately 70-80 calories.
Tea for preventing cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia
Black tea consumption on long-term basis can lower the blood concentration of the LDL cholesterol. Unwanted clots of blood that are formed from blood platelets and cholesterol are the reason behind heart attack. Drinking tea helps in keeping the arteries smooth and without any clogs.
Benefits of tea in Neurological conditions
Tea might help in the prevention of neurological diseases (like Alzheimer’s). Polyphenols present in green tea help maintain those parts of the brain that regulate memory and learning.
Tea bolsters immune defenses
Drinking tea can also help the body’s immune system to fight infection. In winters and hilly areas it is considered to be the most favorite beverage that keeps the body warm without any side-effects. When people suffer from common cold and flu tea relaxes the system by providing it with some miraculous warmth.
Tea helps keep you hydrated
Caffeinated beverages, including tea, were once on the list of beverages that didn’t contribute anything to our daily requirements of fluid. However, latest research has shown that the presence of caffeine doesn’t matter — tea and other beverages definitely add on to our fluid needs. If we drink more than five cups of a caffeinated beverage in a day is the only time when caffeine becomes a major problem as far as fluid intake is concerned. If one is looking for a calorie free beverage that is both satisfying as well as hydrating tea is a better option compared to other beverages.