God said, “Let them brew tea,” and then there was tea.
I went through this big tea phase toward the end of college where I was buying all different flavors and bought my very own cute tea kettle (I also received plenty of burns from spilling the tea — part of the deal, right?). I’ve simmered on my tea obsession since, but maybe it would be beneficial to start it back up again, especially since tea is so good for you. That’s right. If you’re a tea lover, then you should know that tea is basically a super drink.
Alright, we’ve been through the history of tea already, but let’s dive deeper into the benefits. Why is tea good for you? Which kinds are the best?
First of all, true teas are the most beneficial for your health. This includes green, white, black, oolong, and pu-erh teas. There are also herbal teas which are still helpful, but not as commonly used for body healing. Those include Chamomile, Echinacea, Hibiscus, and Rooibos. (Still, they can be good for you, and we’ll get to that soon.) You can find all of these at your local grocery store.
Did you know that the most popular flavors of tea are Earl Grey, English Breakfast, chamomile, and green tea? Personally, I’m a fan of peach. The top selling and most trusted brands around the world are Twinings, Celestial Seasonings, Harney & Sons, and Tetly. Hey, now you know. And now you’re about to know about the health benefits of tea. Boom.
Here are the 11 surprising reasons why being a tea lover is so good for you.
Shutterstock/Canadapanda
1. According to Today, tea contains antioxidants called flavonoids which help protect our bodies from disease. It’s known to help lower cholesterol and can reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke by drinking at least one cup of tea a day.
2. Aduna says tea can make your bones stronger. As a superfood, consuming Moringa leaf extract tea may prevent bone loss.
3. Tea Class mentions that tea (usually) has less caffeine than coffee which means no more unnecessary side effects (like jitters and heart pounding out of your chest). While it’s low in caffeine, tea also contains L-theanine which can be contributed to relaxation and sleepiness. Try chamomile tea next time you’re in need of a good night’s rest.
Amazon
4. Sweaty and smelly feet? Say bye-bye to those stinkers when you soak your toes in some previously boiled tea. According to Men’s Health, the tannic acid in the tea is antibacterial and antifungal. Just when you thought tea was just for drinking…
[FACEBOOK_IA_AD_TAG_1]
5. You can clean up skin imperfections by spraying your face with a cool green tea toner. Slice shared their DIY spray recipe: steep the 2 green tea bags in boiling water for an hour and chill. Pour into a spray bottle and voila! You’ll be glowing in no time.
6. Suffering from nausea or IBS? Today, The Daily Meal taught me that drinking herbal teas, such as chamomile, can soothe your stomach because it contains anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and carminative properties. Add a dose of ginger to calm your nausea.
Shutterstock/grafvision
7. According to Delta Dental, if you drink green tea, then your chance of tooth decay will decrease. Thanks to the fluoride content in the tea, you’re also protecting your teeth from cavities.
8. You can use tea bags to relieve any pain or redness you might get from a sunburn. The Sun suggests putting three black tea bags into a mug with hot water, adding ice to cool it down. You can, then either place the tea bags directly to your skin or pour the tea itself over your sunburn. Just don’t wash it off! Let it sink in and do its thing.
9. Did I mention the smell? Pick out the fruitiest flavors for the freshest scent. The better the smell, the sweeter the taste (unless you’re not into strong flavors, there are options for you, too). Have you tried Baked Cinnamon Apple?
Amazon
10. This one might sound strange, but hear me out. If you wash your hair with green or black tea, then you’re going to have the shiniest mane you’ll ever see. RiverTea talks about how tea is rich in polyphenols and vitamins that can protect it from the sun and strengthen the hair.
11. According to The New York Times, drinking tea will lower your risk of depression. Every three cups you drink, your risk decreases by 37%. Sounds like we could all use a little more tea in our lives.
[FACEBOOK_IA_AD_TAG_2]
Amazing, right? Tea can do all of that for your body and health. I hate to break it to you, but there are a few cons to be aware of. Not everyone can handle disadvantages like these, but just know that I believe in you. We can get through this together.
Some common struggles we tea lovers can relate to:
- Waiting for your boiling hot delicious tea to cool down.
- Deciding which mug will have the honor of homing your flavored water.
- Knowing which kettle is the absolute perfect kitchen accessory for you.
- Choosing which blanket to snuggle up with once your tea has cooled to a reasonable temperature
Time to throw a par-tea, don’t you think?
