The Health Benefits of Tea
Posted on
Happy National Tea Day!
For the uninitiated, April 21st is the UK’s official day to celebrate our love of the great British cuppa. 2020 is actually the fifth anniversary of the National Tea Day event!
Started up in 2016 by these lovely people, who took the initiative to fill the tea shaped hole in our calendar, National Tea Day ensures our favourite beverage is celebrated annually.
For obvious reasons, we can’t celebrate this year with a tea party. But, the team here have put their heads together and decided to highlight our favourite teas and their interesting health properties.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA
The health benefits of tea have been known about and understood for thousands of years, indeed ever since it was first discovered and drunk in China in 2737 BC. Most of the past evidence may have been circumstantial but thankfully now scientists have been wading in to confirm the suspicions of the ancients that tea is actually really good for you!
The main health-promoting substances in tea are polyphenols, in particular catechins and epicatechins. Studies show that these molecules have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Tea helps moderate blood sugar levels, enhance the immune system, promote gut health and healthy bacteria in the gut, assists in the breakdown of fats, helps maintain the bodies fluid balance and helps reduce stress.
But if you want to reap the benefits from your daily cuppa you need to drink it black. Studies have found if you add milk the proteins it contains decrease the concentrations of flavonoids in the tea which are responsible for all of its health benefits.
There are over 1,500 teas available so you’ve got plenty of flavour profiles to choose from and that’s not counting the herbal teas which have filtered through to the market since early 2000. Some of those muscling in on the act are tasty infusions including, Camomile, Peppermint, Jasmine and Rooibos, all of which are now going down a treat.
7 TEAS TO GIVE YOU A HEALTH BOOST
We’ve highlighted seven top notch teas from the Farrer’s range for you to choose from, which when combined with healthy eating and regular exercise will pack just the right punch to give you a real health boost.
1. CAMOMILE
It is no big secret that camomile flowers have been infused with water to create a drink which helps improve sleep. Drinking camomile tea for two weeks or more has been proved to increase sleep quality and reduce depression. Studies have also shown that camomile tea also has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and liver protecting properties too.
https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/product/camomile-flowers/
2. PEPPERMINT
We all know Peppermint has a refreshing taste but what you might not know is that it has also been found to help the digestive system, with numerous studies showing that peppermint and peppermint oil infusions have helped relieve indigestion, nausea and stomach pains.
https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/product/peppermint-green-tea/
3. MATCHA
This is a centuries old remedy, known to enhance mood and concentration levels, as well as boosting metabolism and heart health because it’s a full of natural fibre and rich in antioxidants.
https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/product/royal-matcha-plant-power/
4. GREEN TEA
Often dubbed the healthiest beverage on the planet, it’s loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, all of which have a hugely beneficial effect on the body, including reducing the impact of certain cancers, helping to improve brain functionality, improves your metabolism, reduces cholesterol and lowers the risk of heart disease.
https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/product/green-sencha-tea/
5. ROOIBOS
Is also packed with antioxidants as well, though just a shade lower than green tea. Benefits include reduction in helps reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease and stroke as well as improving liver health and reducing cholesterol.
https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/product/rooibos-tea/
6. JASMINE FLOWERS AND BUDS
Jasmine as a plant contains antioxidant properties, its golden liquor has been proven to be beneficial for oral health, helps reduce stress, helps improve gut health and healthy bowel function and its caffeine free too providing a decaffeinated alternative to green tea.
https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/product/dragon-phoenix-pearl-tea/
7. LEMON VERBENA
Lemon Verbena gives a very silky liquor with a delicate citrus fragrance and taste, its packed with polyphenols, which helps reduce formation of fatty acids in the body, helps fight infections, inflammation of muscles and boosts your body to help fight fatigue and may be beneficial helping with digestion.
https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/product/lemon-verbena-infusion/
WHEN IS NATIONAL TEA DAY CELEBRATED?
National Tea Day is celebrated on the 21st April every year. It’s the official day for the UK to celebrate their love of tea.