4 Proven Reasons Tea Is Good for You

Toast to your health with a nice cup of tea.

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In England, tea drinking is a national sport. It solves everything. Sad? Have a cup of tea. Happy? Have a cup of tea. Tired? Have a cup of tea. Can’t sleep? Have a cup of tea.

I’ve gone through my ups and downs with tea. I used to have it like my grandma, filled with evaporated milk (which I wouldn’t touch now – unless it was in homemade brigadeiros); then I switched to fresh milk and lots of sugar; when I moved to Sweden I started drinking tea black with honey, and now I don’t really drink tea at all (not because I don’t like it, but I’d rather just have a cup of warm water and skip the honey thing altogether).

Whatever my experience, it would appear that tea is actually good for us. Here are a couple reasons why:

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Catechins

Catechins are antioxidants that fight cell damage and protect the body from free radicals. Aside from tea they can be found in cocoa, blackberries, raspberries, apples, and pears, to name a few items. One study in Japan found that healthy men who consumed large amounts of green tea (which is rich in catechins) over a two week-period experienced reduced body fat.

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Theanine

Theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea. When combined with caffeine it can help you to be more focused and alert, boost your memory, and reduce the effects of mental and physical stress.

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Polyphenols

Polyphenols are antioxidants. They’re commonly found in black tea, and studies have shown that they stop oral bacteria growing, get rid of bad breath, and ward off mouth infections. Not bad!

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Fluoride

Recognise that word? It’s usually found on your toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens the enamel on your teeth, reducing the likelihood of you developing cavities. It occurs naturally in tea, although you do need to be careful not to over consume it, as having too much can hurt more than it helps.

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Good to know:
– Limit your intake – too much tea, like too much coffee, isn’t good for you. One or two cups a day is a good amount.
– Don’t buy cheap tea – quality is everything. if you can, aim for loose leaf teas that have been processed as little as possible, this way you’ll get the benefit of all the nutrients available.

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/Femi, The Girl Who Hates Working Out

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