Sipping Tea to Savor a Healthy Life

Tea is beyond just a pleasant beverage. Studies have proven that drinking tea as part of our lifestyle is beneficial to our overall wellness. Tea originated in China and has been enjoyed by the Chinese people for thousands of years. All true teas are derived from a plant species called Camellia sinensis, which is an evergreen shrub and belongs to the flowering tea plant family called Theaceae.

Tea is classified into five main categories, including White, Green, Oolong, Black and Pu-erh, depending on the processing methods. Tea’s health-promoting properties have been proven in many studies. The main substance that makes drinking tea healthy is polyphenols, which are a large group of naturally occurring compounds. They are abundant in plants and have excellent antioxidant effects.

Research has found out that polyphenols in tea have the ability to regulate blood sugar by making cells more responsive to insulin’s effect, hence lowering the risk of diabetes. Instead of choosing sweetened beverages, drinking a cup of tea is a great way to optimize blood sugar control. Flavonoids found in black tea are another group of compounds that are beneficial to promoting cardiovascular health.

A meta-analysis study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found evidence that people who drank at least three cups of black tea per day had an 11% lower risk of developing heart disease. The polyphenols and antimicrobials in black and green tea can promote the growth of good bacteria and help repair the lining of the digestive tract. They help to enhance immunity. Tea can also protect the brain from aging in the long run. One study demonstrated that tea-drinkers who were aged 55-plus had better cognitive performance.

When we talk about an infusion, it refers to steeping plants or fruits in hot water. These beverages of ancient wisdom have been proven beneficial to mental, emotional, and physical health. Most of them don’t contain caffeine and are suitable for people who prefer to avoid feeling jittery after drinking coffee. A cup of tea can do more than just boost immunity, the process of preparing and drinking it can also be relaxing. It’s a time reserved for a moment of tranquility, reunion, and joy.