| Tea is the second most popular beverage in the | | | | cup of tea instead - that's 8 ounces. |
| world, after water. Asian cultures drink gallons of | | | | Have one bottle of green tea with lunch instead |
| green, oolong and other teas, and the Brits | | | | of a bottled soda - that's another 12 ounces. |
| consume large quantities of black tea. In fact, | | | | For an afternoon break, make a relaxing cup of |
| everywhere in the world, tea is a regular part of | | | | tea instead of a snack. You'll save calories and get |
| life. In many cases, we drink tea because we like | | | | another 8 ounces of tea. |
| it, but as it turns out, it may be extremely | | | | Have a cup of lavender or mint tea before bed - |
| healthy for us, too. | | | | you're getting another eight ounces of tea, and |
| Over the years there's been tons of research on | | | | you'll sleep better too! |
| the benefits of tea to our health. And, as we | | | | Which tea is best? |
| learn more and more, it's becoming clear that | | | | There are literally thousands of varieties of tea |
| drinking tea may be one of the best things we | | | | available - so much that you may be confused |
| can do to protect our health and prolong our lives. | | | | about which you should be drinking. Probably the |
| The University of Toronto Medical Journal outlines | | | | best tea for you is the one that you like, because |
| the many benefits that drinking tea can offer | | | | if you like it you'll drink more of it. However, if |
| Prevention of Heart Disease | | | | you're choosing tea strictly for the health benefits, |
| Studies have shown that regular tea consumption | | | | here are some suggestions to help you choose |
| can actually lower cholesterol levels circulating in | | | | the tea that will give you the most benefit. |
| the blood. In fact, some studies have shown tea | | | | Choose green tea over black - Green tea is |
| to reduce total cholesterol by as much as 6.5% | | | | unfermented, which means that more of the |
| and LDL cholesterol by as much as 11%. A | | | | original anti-oxidants are intact. It is believed that |
| reduction in cholesterol prevents atherosclerosis, a | | | | green tea has more health benefits than black tea |
| condition in which the arteries that carry blood | | | | because these anti-oxidants remain in their natural |
| become narrowed due to a buildup of plaque. The | | | | state. If you don't like the flavor of plain green |
| plaque that builds up in our arteries is created | | | | tea, there are dozens of flavored green teas. |
| when LDL cholesterol oxidizes. | | | | They are just as healthy, and taste great. In |
| Prevention of Cancer | | | | addition, you can find bottled green teas that are |
| Tea has been shown to reduce the risk of | | | | very convenient when you're on the go. |
| several forms of cancer. In fact, tea has been | | | | Choose caffeinated teas over decaffeinated - |
| shown to reduce lung tumors by 80% in | | | | Caffeinated teas have the most health benefit. It |
| laboratory mice. Tea has also been effective in | | | | is believed that the caffeine in tea works with the |
| human studies on cancer, including breast cancer, | | | | anti-oxidants to create the maximum effects. |
| colon cancer and gastric cancer. | | | | Those who are caffeine sensitive might try green |
| Weight Loss | | | | tea, as its caffeine content is lower than that of |
| Tea has also been shown to be an effective | | | | black tea. |
| weight loss supplement. Tea increases energy | | | | Make sure it's real tea - There are many |
| expenditure, promotes fat oxidation and | | | | beverages that are referred to as tea that are |
| decreases fat storage. Many studies have shown | | | | not really tea. True tea comes from the Camellia |
| that drinking tea in conjunction with a healthy diet | | | | sinensis plant. Herbal teas, and teas like rooibos |
| and exercise can help you lose more weight than | | | | and mate are really tisanes -meaning they come |
| diet and exercise alone. | | | | from other plants. There's certainly nothing wrong |
| Improvement in Intestinal Tract Bacteria | | | | with these teas, but they don't provide the health |
| Regular tea consumption can help improve the | | | | benefits that you'll find in a true tea. |
| bacteria that live in your intestinal tract; eliminating | | | | Drink it the way you like it- Tea retains the same |
| harmful bacteria and helping beneficial bacteria to | | | | health benefits whether you drink it hot or cold |
| flourish. Tea has been shown to reduce the level | | | | and whether or not you add milk. Just remember |
| of H pylori bacteria in the stomach. H pylori is | | | | to skip the sugar if you're drinking tea to help you |
| associated with the development of ulcers. | | | | lose weight. |
| Getting Your Daily Dose | | | | With all the health benefits that we're discovering |
| The recommended dose of tea for health | | | | about tea, it's a pretty good assumption that tea |
| benefits is about 30 ounces per day - the | | | | may help you live longer. By putting off many of |
| equivalent of 2 ½ cans of soda. While this | | | | the signs and diseases of aging, you're also likely |
| may seem like a lot, it's easy to consume this | | | | to be healthier and more active in your old age. |
| amount if you replace some of the other | | | | Tea is a natural, refreshing way to improve your |
| beverages you consume with tea. Consider this: | | | | health and longevity. |
| Replace one cup of your morning coffee with a | | | | |