Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot
or boiling water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub
native to Asia. After water, it is the next most consumed drink in the world.
Tea originated in Southwest China, where it was used as a medicinal drink. It
was popularized as a recreational drink during the Chinese tang dynasty, and
tea drinking spread to other East Asian countries. Portuguese priests and
merchants introduced it to Europe during the 16th century. During the 17th
century, drinking tea became fashionable among Britons, who started large-scale
production and commercialization of the plant in India to bypass the Chinese
monopoly. The phrase "herbal tea" usually refers to infusions of
fruit or herbs made without the tea plant, such as steeps of rosehip,
chamomile, or rooibos. These are also known as tisanes or herbal infusions to
distinguish them from tea, as it is commonly understood.
Tea is generally divided into categories based on how it is
processed. At least six different types are produced. White, yellow, green,
oolong, black and post-fermented. Much flavouring is added to the variety of
tea during processing. Among the best known are Chinese jasmine tea, Indian
masala chai and earl grey tea. A great range of modern flavours have been added
to these traditional ones such as lemon tea, roasted cumin tea, black salt, and
ginger tea.
Tea may be consumed early in the day to heighten calm
alertness. Decaffeinated brands are also sold. Tea ceremonies have arisen in
different cultures, such as Chinese and Japanese traditions, each of which
employ certain techniques and ritualised protocol of brewing and serving tea
for enjoyment in a refined setting. In the United Kingdom, tea is consumed
daily by a majority of people, and indeed is perceived as one of Britain’s
cultural beverages. Turkish tea is an important part of that country’s cuisine
and is the most commonly consumed hot drink.
Health benefits of tea
No matter what the season, tea can be a tasty beverage since
it can be served iced or hot. Its benefits go far beyond refreshment. There is
plenty of research showing that drinking tea can actually improve your health.
We alredy know that tea can improve your skin and make you fit and trim; but
did you know that it also does amazing things for your health?
1. Reduced cortisol
levels: cortisol is
the stress hormone that contributes to belly fat and makes your skin age
quicker. One recent study suggested four cups of tea per day may make your
cortisol level spike less.
2. Tea contains
antioxidants;
antioxidants work to prevent the body's version of rust and thus help to keep
us young and protect us from damage of pollution.
3. Decreased risk of stroke
and heart attack;
drinking at least three cups of green
or black tea per day results in a 21% reduction in the risk of ischemic stroke.
Those who drank four or more cups of green tea daily had a 32% reduction in the
risk of having a heart attack and lower levels of LDL cholesterol.
4. Anti-inflammatory; active compounds in tea can help
lower levels of inflammation and inflammatory reactions. Inflammation is said
to be connected to almost every modern ailment, including arthritis, metabolic
syndrome and depression.
5. Anti-allergen; tea may also reduce allergic
response through quercetin, a flavonol naturally occurring in tea, which is
known to mitigate histamine response. Yes, you can add locally produced honey
to your tea to double-up the anti-allergy power.
6. Improved overall
health markers; tea
drinkers tend to be healthier, which proves true in research too, as tea
drinking correlates with better health outcomes. You can support your health,
including your skin and body composition, with as few as 2-3 cups per day of
this calorie-free, sugar-free drink; so join this growing health movement and
start today exploring the novelty of tea.
7. Reduced risk of
dementia; to stay
sharp, even as you age, drink tea, it is believed to lower the risk of dementia
by acting through multiple pathways, including those of nerve synapses and
blood sugar regulation.
8. Blindness
prevention; since
tea contains high level of antioxidants, it is not surprising that studies have
found them in eye tissue. In fact, drinking tea can help to prevent the
blindness caused by cataracts (the clouding of the lens inside the eye).
9. Tea may help with
boosting the immune system; studies have shown that tea can tune up immune cells so they reach their
targets quicker
10. Tea has less
caffeine than coffee; herbal blends have no caffeine, while traditional teas have less than 50%
of what typically is found in coffee. That means you can consume it without
those pesky effects on your nervous system.
By Umaru Maryam Hadejia
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