Fill 'er Up
Drinking Tea is Good for You
by Judie Bizzozero
For nearly 5,000 years tea has been used for traditional religious
ceremonies, medicinal uses, relaxation, meditation and, most definitely, as a
source of nutrition. The tea plant, native to Central and Eastern Asia, also has
been associated with aristocracy and sophistication, and was the catalyst for
the Boston Tea Party of 1773, which put in motion America's fight for
independence from the British.
Yes, tea is steeped in rich history, flavor and healthy benefits. Whether you
prefer loose leaf tea or prepackaged tea bags, you can find it everywhere. So
with the winter cold and flu season on the way, why not include a cup of hot tea
into your lifestyle and reap all its wonderful rewards?
Tea Time
 For
years, tea has been associated with wellness. If we are sick or feeling blue, we
turn to hot tea to comfort and soothe away our aches. Today, many of us are
choosing tea over coffee and sipping it whenever and wherever we want. In fact,
the market for tea is growing at a phenomenal rate as evidenced by its
heightened popularity at the retail level and in coffee houses nationwide.
Whether drinking aromatic teas from The Republic of Tea, Bigelow, Tazo or
Tetley, or seeking out flavorful brews from the likes of Starbucks, there is a
wide assortment of teas available to tempt our discriminating palates.
Available in natural, organic, herbal, medicinal, caffeinated, decaffeinated,
loose, bagged, hot or cold--the choices are abundant on the shelves of grocery
stores, natural markets and gourmet stores nationwide.
There are three main varieties of tea--black, green and oolong. Each variety
has variations of flavor depending on the region where the tea was grown, such
as Ceylon, Darjeeling or the Himalayans, and how it was processed.
Black tea, which includes Orange Pekoe, English Breakfast and Darjeeling,
accounts for approximately 90 percent of the tea consumed in the United States.
Black tea has been fully fermented and yields a hearty-flavored, amber brew.
Green tea, which is not fermented, has a more delicate taste and yields a
light green to golden color. Green tea is a staple in the Orient and is gaining
a loyal following here in the United States.
Oolong tea is semi-fermented and has an almost honey-like taste that leaves a
bittersweet aftertaste.
Cup Full of Health
 Tea
is a great immune enhancer that helps to boost our body's immune system and ward
off germs and disease. Each type of tea has particular health components. For
instance, did you know that tea contains a variety of bioflavonoids that act as
antioxidants? The antioxidants in tea have been shown more effective than
vitamins C or E in protecting cells from damage by toxic compounds.
Scientific studies are finding that tea is rich in flavonoids--a plant
substance that functions as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals that can
damage cells and lead to diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Researchers
of a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (1995) reported
that the flavonoids in tea may make blood cells less prone to clots that can
cause heart attacks or strokes.
Recent research has found that a daily cup of tea can reduce the risk of a
heart attack by 44 percent. Nutrients such as flavonoids also may influence bone
mineral density and offer protection against osteoporosis in older women.
Research also suggests that black, green and oolong teas can protect against
oral, lung, colon and other types of cancers. In addition to its soothing and
calming effects, tea has been found to aid digestion, strengthen the immune
system and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, the fluoride in tea
can strengthen bones in the same way it strengthens teeth.
According to The Republic of Tea, recent studies in the United States, China
and Japan found that drinking green tea inhibits esophageal cancer as well as
other types of tumors. Other studies also have shown that consuming green tea
can result in a lower incidence of several other types of cancer. One possible
explanation for this seems to be that the compounds in tea inhibit the formation
action of cancer causing substances, such as nitrosamines, which are the
byproduct of cooked meats and fish.
As more of us turn to tea for its health benefits, we are discovering the
wider world of herbal and medicinal teas. Herbal and medicinal teas are not
actually teas as they contain no leaves from the tea plant--they are made with
herbs with specific properties. Companies such as Traditional Medicinals and
Yogi Tea provide abundant choices, including chamomile, echinacea, peppermint
and ginger, to keep us healthy.
Another tea drink experiencing a tremendous following is Chai. Originating in
India, Chai combines black tea with medicinal spices for a healthy beverage. The
most common spices include cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger and pepper. The
effects are soothing and warming and act as a natural digestive aid.
Chai is available in three fashions--premix, concentrate and bagged. Premix
and concentrate are available in both shelf stable and refrigerated forms, while
bags are found in the tea aisle. You probably have noticed chai offerings from
Oregon Chai and DaVinci Gourmet at your local grocery or specialty shop.
According to the folks at The Republic of Tea, drinking tea brings out a life
of health, balance and well-being. "There have been wonderful studies that
correlate tea and health benefits," says Barbara Graves, minister of
commerce at the Novato, Calif.-based company. "There are many pills and
supplements that can be taken to receive the benefits of tea, but then you would
be missing out on the overall feeling that tea provides. People are turning to
stress-free environments and tea provides that respite."
While drinking tea offers health benefits for the body, the process of
preparing it calms the mind. "First and foremost, taking the time to brew a
pot of tea is a very relaxing and therapeutic," notes Graves. "In
today's fast-paced world, people need to remember to take time to de-stress
their lives. We like to say 'take life a little more sip by sip rather than gulp
by gulp'."
The Last Sip
Now that you know all the healthy benefits associated with tea, why not brew
up a cup and toast your good health? Remember, research has shown that tea helps
ward off certain cancers, helps the digestive tract, soothes the inner you and
nourishes your body. Drink up.
[Chocolate Mint Tea]
6 Peppermint tea bags
6 cups milk
6 Tablespoons hot chocolate mix
Place tea bags in bottom of pan. Add milk and heat to just under boiling.
Remove tea bags. Place one tablespoon chocolate in each mug and pour one cup of
hot minted milk over chocolate. Serve with fresh mint leaf of peppermint stick
candy.
Makes 6 servings
Recipe courtesy of Traditional Medicinals.
 [5
Reasons To Drink Green Tea]
- Dietary surveys show that people who drink green tea have lower incidences
of many types of cancers than those who drink no green tea.
- Green tea inhibits formation of blood clots that can build up in artery
walls, leading to coronary heart disease; it also reduces high blood
pressure.
- Blood sugar levels are moderated by green tea.
- Green tea has been used to fight viral colds and flu.
- Studies have shown that green tea limits the growth of bacteria that can
cause gum disease, cavities and bad breath.
Source: The Republic of Tea
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