Tea has been around in one form or another for almost five thousand years. It has become a staple of naturist health care, holistic remedies and, in particular, Chinese medicine. Because it has been around for many a millennia the many benefits of consuming tea have long been known. Recently, however, they have been validated by western scientists who have merely confirmed what much of the world already held as fact: consuming tea regularly can be extremely beneficial to one's health.
Among the confirmed benefits of team consumption we find:
Numerous studies have determined that tea may have anti-cancer properties. Several investigations have suggested that green tea, which is rich in epigallocatechin gallate (an antioxidant more commonly known as EGCG) may protect against lung, prostate and breast cancer. Other studies have found that the catechins in green tea have reduced the number and size of tumors in animals. Topical applications of green tea extract have been found to protect the skin from UV damage and reduce the incidence of skin cancer. Other studies have suggested that white tea might be even more beneficial as an anti-carcinogen.
It has long been known, and scientifically confirmed, that tea speeds up the metabolic rate. It contains caffeine, a known stimulant, but also high amounts of catechin polyphenols. A faster metabolism leads to the consumption of more calories, an effect that has been found to last for up to two hours after the tea has been consumed.
It has been suggested that tea has an anti-diabetic effect. While this has not been confirmed with clinical studies, it has been found that tea increases fat oxidation, improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Even if its anti-diabetic effects have been overstated, it is certainly an excellent complement to diabetic treatment.
It is theorized that due to a specific aminoacid found almost exclusively in the tea plant itself, tea boosts mental awareness and alertness. When combined with its caffeine content (a known stimulant present in oxidized tea but in less than one third the amount that is present in coffee) tea has proven to be a healthy and effective morning wake-up beverage.
Tea has long been known to have a pleasant, soothing effect. It also lowers the stress hormone levels, an effect that lasts beyond the consumption of the tea itself. White tea is particularly effective and it is known to provide the drinker with a mild sedative-like effect.
Tea has typically been used as an immunobooster, and scientific studies have indeed confirmed that the consumption of tea helps the body's immune system when fighting infection. For this reason it is sometimes used as a complementary treatment for patients suffering from HIV.
Tea has been found to provide the drinker with antibacterial effects. Pneumonia and cavities are two infections that have been found to respond particularly well to tea as a complementary treatment along with some fungal infections. It is believed that white tea is more potent as an antibacterial than green tea.
To learn more about the equipment needed to brew Loose Leaf Tea and how to use it, see out Tea Equipment section
Shop for Loose Tea, Teapots, and Accessories in our Loose Tea Shop
Tea has been around in one form or another for almost five thousand years. It has become a staple of naturist health care, holistic remedies and, in particular, Chinese medicine. Because it has been around for many a millennia the many benefits of consuming tea have long been known. Recently, however, they have been validated by western scientists who have merely confirmed what much of the world already held as fact: consuming tea regularly can be extremely beneficial to one's health.
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