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Tea. It’s a powerful drink. So much so that the English actually reserve time on their calendar to consume it daily. Not only does it come in a multitude of varieties, from black to green to Earl Grey and between, tea has an immense spectrum of health benefits for both physical and mental ailments. According to James Roche, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at St. Mary’s Medical Center, tea helps to prevent chronic disease and “research has shown that antioxidants from tea fights off inflammation, which is linked to decreased anxiety and improved mental health.” Whether you suffer from aches, pains, nausea, or mental distress, there’s a good chance a tea exists that can help. Here’s a look at a few varieties and what that brew can do for you.
Green tea is a force field against disease
From burning fat and preventing clogged arteries, to slowing down the growth of progressive cancers, to reducing the risk of stroke and neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, green tea is an antioxidant force against serious disease. It’s all thanks to its high concentration of EGCG.
Black tea is big on caffeine and lung health
A great way to start your morning, black tea has the highest amount of caffeine. Plus, if you smoke or used to smoke, recent studies show that black tea might protect your lungs from damage caused by cigarette smoke.
White tea is your cancer fighting cup
Just when you thought green tea was at the top of the list for anticancer potency, recent studies show that white tea might even surpass it, with a higher level of antioxidants. Not to mention unprocessed, uncured, and unfermented.
Chamomile tea helps diabetes
If you suffer from diabetes, make chamomile your cup of tea. It helps prevent complications such as kidney damage, nerve damage, and loss of vision.
Hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure
This herbal tea might potentially lower your blood pressure. In fact, one study reported that just 3 cups per day can decrease levels in those with moderate issues.
And that’s just a few positives of drinking tea
James Roche reminds us, “to make tea work with your sleep schedule - drink black, green and white teas earlier on in the day and have herbal teas in the afternoon and evening. Also, having a little honey with your evening tea helps to produce melatonin while you are sleeping to make your sleep more restful.” You can dig further, and the one thing you’ll find is that there aren’t too many negatives with drinking tea.
