Tea was first used as a form of medicine in Southwest China, thousands of years before it became a popular hot drink around the world. Nowadays, you can go to a store and see hundreds of varieties of tea, all promising different things. Whether you want to curl up in front of Netflix with a soothing drink or need some more energy for a day in the office, there is a tea for you. Here are some of the most popular types of tea and their different benefits.
Black tea
This is perhaps one of the most popular teas in the world and works perfectly with a dash of milk and a cookie on the side. Black tea has the highest amount of caffeine of all the teas and can come in a variety of flavors, such as chai. It’s the kind of tea you can put in a teapot for when the Queen comes round, but impressing royalty is not its only selling point. In fact, some studies show that black tea can help protect those who smoke cigarettes from damage to their lungs. There is also some research into black tea reducing the risk of a stroke, too.
Green tea
This little wonder drink has been slowly creeping up the tea popularity charts over the years and is thought to soon take over black tea as the most drunk around the world. It also has some of the most significant benefits, thanks to being packed with antioxidants. While research is still ongoing into how wonderful green tea is, it is thought to prevent or slow down a number of different health conditions – including cancer. It is also believed to improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One of its biggest draws in recent times is that many claim green tea can help burn fat and increase metabolism.
White tea
While it may not be as popular as some of the other teas on this list, white tea does have one big benefit according to research. Compared to all of the other varieties of tea, it is thought to have the strongest anti-cancer benefits. This is likely due to it being completely uncured and unfermented, meaning that there is less processing taking away all the good stuff.
Herbal teas
While herbal teas may be more processed and have fewer antioxidants than the other teas mentioned, there are some benefits to sipping the different varieties. Many people claim chamomile tea is perfect for those who need a bit of help getting to sleep, but that’s not all. Research has shown it can help prevent complications from diabetes and slow down cancer cell growth. Hibiscus tea, another herbal favorite, also has some key benefits – such as lowering blood pressure, if three cups a day are consumed.
Whatever your favorite flavor, it seems as though tea is definitely a drink we should be getting more of. Whether you like a little black tea in the morning for the caffeine boost or a green tea after dinner to boost metabolism, there is no denying there are some key benefits to be had. So, grab your teapot and start brewing!
