Tea It Up!

Drink Up!

Tea for two and two for tea! If you're keeping score in the game of health benefits, tea is a top contender.  If you aren't already drinking tea, consider this...

The Scoop:  Let's get back to the basics.  There are 4 types of tea: white, green, oolong, & black. White is not fermented at all and black is the most fermented, while green and oolong are in the middle.  Despite fermentation, they ALL have flavonoids (big word, I know).  What is so great about this?? Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help prevent various diseases and fight aging.  Think Ninja Warrior in a cup!

Extra factoid- herbal tea isn't technically tea.. or at east it doesn't come from the same plant as the other four.  You can still drink herbal tea- nothing wrong with that my friend, but just know when I speak of tea benefits I am referring to white, green, oolong, or black.

Study after study has shown other health benefits of tea consumption.  Too many to list, but a few of my favorites:

• 2012 study associated tea with increased work performance and reduced tiredness.... hello productivity, hello raise!
• 2006 study showed that when women drank 5 cups of green tea/day, they lowered their risk of heart disease by 31%... take that #1 killer of women in the US!
• 2003 study showed that 4 or more cups of tea/day increased the mineral content of bones... no bone fractures here!
• Study with oolong tea and elderly showed that regular consumption of tea decreased body fat and weight by improving fat metabolism... kicking butt & looking svelte!

Favorite tea right now!

Bri's Take:  I love tea, especially green tea.  I even have my favorite brands, but that's just my taste buds talking.  If you do not like tea or have not tried many brands, flavors, etc. here are a few tips for you:

1. Try tea at a coffee/tea shop first.  Many teas you find here will also be at grocery stores, but this gives you the opportunity to taste before you buy.
2. Follow the brewing time.  Brew time is essential when it comes to the taste of tea.  If you brew for too long, the tea can taste too bitter or strong. If you brew for too little, you might as well be drinking hot water.  Brew time is listed on any box/bag of tea or ask your barista if at a coffee/tea shop.
3. Add if you need to.  I like most of my tea plain, but many times I will try a tea that just needs that extra oomph.  My favorite tea additives?  A squeeze of lemon, a couple drops of lemon juice if out of a lemon, a squirt of honey, or a couple drops of skim milk.  I stay away from sugar, creamer, high fat milk, etc. but if those are your go to staples, just be sure to use small amounts.  A little goes a long way!
4. Some like it hot, some like it not.  Iced tea works too!  If you are not a fan of hot tea, drink unsweet iced tea and add your own additives (see #3).  

For the most "health" bang for your buck, try to drink between 3 to 8 cups a day.  Any more than 8 cups a day and you start taking in too much caffeine and decreasing your absorption of iron.

Drink up & eat well!

Bri

Resource: "Tea Time: The Health Benefits of Tea." -Joanna Pruess & Neva Cochran, MS, RD, LD