For thousands of years, tea has spread across the world and crossed cultures. Besides water, tea is one of the most consumed drinks in the world! And for a good reason, too, it’s full of antioxidants and other health benefits. So what are the benefits of drinking different teas? We will give you the full scope of that.
Brief History
The history of tea originated in China as early as 2737 B.C. It then spread to Japan, Holland, and eventually, all over Europe. In 1650, it was the Dutch settlers who introduced it in America. On the other hand, Britain was the last European country that adopted drinking this hot drink. It was heavily taxed back then, but in 1784, the British government cut off the tax rates of tea and became a drink that everyone could afford and not just for wealthy people.
The tea is prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over the leaves of a plant called Camellia Sinensis. They believe that all true teas come from the same plant. If you wonder about teas like peppermint or chamomile, these teas are known as “herbal teas.” It is a tea made from fruit or plant separated from Camellia Sinensis and is sometimes called herbal infusions.
Camellia sinensis teas are known to be excellent sources of polyphenols like catechins. They are known for their antioxidative activity and drinking it offers a lot of benefits too. Here’s what you need to know.
Benefits of Drinking Different Teas
- Antibacterial properties.
- Reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Reduces the risk of coronary artery disease.
- Reduces the risk of suffering stroke and other heart diseases.
- Help prevent the development of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Protects the mouth from oral and digestive cancers as well as tooth loss.
- Help in slowing down the progression of prostate cancer.
- Boosts your metabolism.
- Good for your brain.
- Help in boosting fertility.
- Help in your gut’s health and modifies gut bacteria.
- It also aids in detoxing.
15 Different Types of Teas
There’s a wide variety of teas that you can drink and knowing their benefits can help you pick one that suits your lifestyle best. Here are fifteen of the best teas you can choose from [1].
1. Black Tea
Black tea is made from Camellia sinensis and is known to have the least amount of antioxidant activity. The tea leaves are dried and fermented, giving their black color and richer flavor. It is also known for increasing levels of awareness and helps in decreasing fatigue. It also contains higher caffeine content (50 to 65% of the caffeine found in coffee) compared to other types of teas.
Generally, this drink helps combat inflammation and support a healthy immune system. You can also benefit from this tea’s flavonoids even if you’re not drinking it. Steaming it and pressing it on minor bruises, cuts, or bruises is also a way to enjoy the benefits of this tea. Besides cuts and bruises, you can also use black tea to ease skin rashes and inflammations.
2. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is an herbal tea made from chamomile flowers. It also helps ease menstrual period pain and muscle spasms. This tea is ideal for its calming effects and ability to reduce severe anxiety as well as depression. It is also a beverage choice for reducing stress and helps in improving sleep.
3. Dandelion Root Tea
Researchers found that dandelion tea stimulates the growth of 14 strains of bifidobacteria – which is a probiotic. This probiotic helps in knocking out the bacteria in your gut that causes diarrhea. Not only that, but they also help reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and reduce allergies.
There are also other benefits that you will enjoy from this tea. Dandelion tea helps in reducing your water weight, helps boost your liver’s health by detoxing it, and can act as a substitute for coffee. It also has cancer-fighting potential that prevents melanoma from developing. It can prevent urinary tract infections and helps in breaking down fats.
4. Echinacea Tea
Echinacea tea is another type of tea that is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. It helps in cold and flu prevention by boosting your immune system. It reduces the risk of respiratory inflammation and helps in lowering anxiety.
5. Green Tea
Green tea leaves originated from China. The leaves are collected when they are slightly dry, so they are a bit oxidized. This oxidation process gives the leaves the highest amount of antioxidants from other types of teas. After brewing the leaves, it emits a subtle flavor.
In Chinese tradition, the leaves are pan-fired, which creates a dull green color. However, Japanese traditions steam the leaves, therefore achieving a bright green color.
Generally, green teas are high in flavonoids that help in boosting your heart’s health. It helps in lowering bad cholesterol and reduces the risk of forming blood clots. Studies also show that green tea hastens the risk of developing breast, liver, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Its anti-inflammatory effects help keep your skin clear and glowing [2].
6. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is one of the oldest medicinal drinks known to men. It is best for improving digestion and aids in the absorption of nutrients. This tea also helps in fighting morning sickness, nausea, and chronic indigestion. It also helps in relieving joint pain caused by arthritis and nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy.
Among the teas, ginger tea is the best when it comes to boosting the immune system. However, the benefits of drinking different teas give you the option to choose the kind of tea that will work best for you.
7. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a tea known for its cooling effect. It also improves blood pressure by lowering it and helps you feel relaxed. It contains a high concentration of antioxidants and vitamins that fight stress caused by U.V. light. According to studies, hibiscus tea also helps in lowering blood sugar, cholesterol and boosts the immune system.
It also aids in weight loss by lowering fat levels and starves off cravings for unhealthy sweets. It protects the liver by improving its overall health, and at the same time, prevents the formation of kidney stones.
8. Lavender Tea
Help decrease stress levels and ease any stomach cramps. It is also the best tea to drink when you want to relax and reduce your anxiety. It also promotes sleep and relaxation for those who are having trouble with sleeping.
9. Nettle Tea
The nettle tea is one of the most diverse teas in terms of use. It is known to treat various conditions like anemia, gout, arthritis, urinary tract infections, hay fever, kidney stones, and the early stages of an enlarged prostate.
10. Oolong Tea
Also known as Wulong tea, it is semi-oxidized and is harvested only a little later than green tea. It is known for its rich flavor and fragrance tones. Oolong tea came from the Camellia sinensis plant, but these are bruised by being shaken and tossed in the basket. Because of this, the oxidation process changes. Oxidation stops when the leaves are heat-treated. The flavor also varies depending on the region where they were grown.
Oolong tea is known for being rich in l-theanine, which is an amino acid that helps reduce anxiety. It also helps increase attention and alertness. In recent studies, l-theanine helps prevent cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, giving you more reasons to enjoy the benefits of drinking different teas.
11. Peppermint Tea
This tea is excellent for aiding digestion, especially when you are feeling bloated or gassy. It also helps lessen the symptoms of a stuffy nose and increase your alertness. In a study at the University of England, peppermint tea drinkers concentrate better, are more alert, and display better long-term memory.
Peppermint tea contains menthol making it a good cure for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), constipation, and even morning sickness. It also brings relief to tension headaches and migraines.
12. Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh or Pu’er tea is one of the highly valued teas in China. It is a unique type of fermented tea traditionally made in Yunnan Province of China. The leaves came from a tree known as the “wild old tree” that grows in this region. Unlike other teas, this type of tea is fermented rather than brewed. It is sold in compressed “cakes” of tea leaves but also sold as loose ones.
Other benefits of Pu-erh tea include aiding in weight loss, improving cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the growth of breast, oral, and colon cancer cells. It also helps to boost the health of the liver.
13. Rooibos Tea
Rooibos is a tea known for its reddish color. It came from the Aspalathus linearis plant and is known for its medicinal properties. It works best for those with hyperactive gastrointestinal diseases and is also known to help respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
It improves blood circulation and pressure and is effective in boosting good cholesterol and lowering the bad ones. This tea is known for keeping your skin and hair healthy and provides relief from any allergies.
14. Rosehip Tea
One of the best benefits of drinking different teas is antioxidants. Rosehip tea is made from the fruit of the rose plant and is known for being a good source of antioxidants and an excellent source of Vitamin C, A, and E – which helps boost your immune system.
Rosehip tea also protects your heart from developing diseases and reduces the levels of blood pressure. It aids in weight loss and protects you from type 2 diabetes as well. If you have inflammation, rosehip tea can help reduce that.
15. White Tea
White tea is an unoxidized tea. It means that the medicinal properties of this tea are high in concentration. The white tea leaves of this plant are made up of catechins, making their antioxidant properties close to the level of green tea. White tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant found in the Fujian province and some parts of India.
Tea leaves are left to wither and dry naturally, making them naturally sweet and have very little caffeine. They are also effective in fighting various forms of cancer, thanks to the high antioxidants found in them. White tea is great for fighting plaque and strengthening teeth by making them resistant to sugar and acid.
Your Takeaway
The variations of tea offer different health benefits. Whatever you pick will surely be helpful to your body. If you haven’t included it in your daily diet, it’s time that you savor the benefits of drinking different teas! Give them a try today and see which ones you like best.
