If you were to give an award to the herb that has had the most significant impact on humankind, then there is no doubt that the honor should go to the tea. Tea is a shrub leaf that has influenced cultures and provoked wars. Until now, tea remains the most commonly consumed beverage in the world. The United States is the second largest importer of tea in the world, and more than half of the people in the United States drink tea every day. Tea has been popular for thousands of years, not only because it is delicious but also because it has a refreshing effect similar to coffee. More and more people are choosing to drink herbal tea because of its many health benefits. However, there is another lesser-known benefit of herbal tea. Not only does drinking tea relax the mind, but it also helps to enhance human interaction. Herbal tea is undoubtedly an excellent remedy in a culture as stressful as ours.
Tea is the leaf of the evergreen shrub tea tree, which is said to be native to southeastern Asia and western Asian China. Because of the long history of tea cultivation, it is now difficult to accurately identify the origin of tea. Some people believe that tea, like turmeric, does not exist as a wild variety and is all artificially cultivated. Humans have been consuming tea for thousands of years, and the history of the tea tree is a complex yet sometimes dirty history. Any tea-related topic can write a book.
Types of Tea
There are many different kinds of tea, including black, green, white, oolong, and pu-erh, and they all come from the same plant, the tea tree. Although black and green tea is different in taste and aroma, they all come from the same part of the tea tree.
The origin of the tea leaves, how they are harvested, and how they are processed and fried all impact the tea leaves' final form. The main difference between the different types of tea is the degree of oxidation. Black tea is fully oxidized, green tea is not corrupted, and oolong tea is not corroded. Green tea is non-oxidized, oolong tea is semi-oxidized, and pu-erh tea is an aged and fermented tea. These processing methods are different, leading to the difference in tea varieties.
The Value of Tea
Tea is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, known as catechins. Studies have shown that tea is beneficial for heart, oral, and skin health and is very effective in combating metabolic syndrome and cancer. Drinking tea is good for physical and mental health in many ways. Still, I hope you find time regularly to quiet your mind and sip tea properly rather than taking a sip in a hurry before heading out the door. A good cup of tea is perfect for your physical and mental health.
Helps with heart health
There is no doubt that drinking tea regularly is good for your heart. Countless studies have shown that drinking tea protects the heart in several ways. Tea can lower blood pressure and heart rate variability (a sign of heart disease). Studies have also shown that drinking regular tea can lower blood lipids and prevent atherosclerosis, preventing or alleviating atherosclerosis. Regular tea consumption can also reduce C-reactive protein and platelet activation, which can stress the heart.
In another clinical trial, obese people with metabolic syndrome were asked to drink four cups of green tea daily. After eight weeks, the green tea-drinking group showed significant reductions in body weight, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and cholesterol levels. This study thus concluded that tea has multiple benefits for people suffering from metabolic syndrome.
Helps with oral health
Protecting your teeth and gums with tea may sound a bit unbelievable. Still, multiple clinical trials have shown that green tea can protect the mouth in exciting ways. In one study, after wisdom tooth surgery, people who used green tea mouthwash experienced pain relief and took less pain medication than patients who gargled with a placebo. Another study found that gargling with a mouthwash containing 2% green tea for 5 minutes effectively inhibited plaque bacteria, a cost-effective and effective way to prevent tooth decay.
Helps relieve stress
Modern people live under chronic stress for a long time. The vast majority of us are overworked, with work, family, and society pushing us all the time. The to-do list seems never-ending; after one thing is done, another is waiting in the wings. The pressures of work, money, and health force us into a constant state of anxiety, and this chronic stress is killing us.
Chronic stress prevents us from experiencing the joy of life and brings us a myriad of chronic illnesses. A study states that chronic stress has been linked to six major deadly diseases in the United States. A survey by the American Psychological Association showed that 77% of respondents said pressure made them sick.
Chronic stress has become a persistent problem in our culture, and it will take the significant social change to get to the root of it. In the meantime, there are changes you can make every day to relieve stress yourself. I suggest starting with regular tea breaks, where you can pick a time to not think about a list of tasks or worry about daily life. At this moment, leave all the chores behind and completely relax your mind and body. You can be alone or invite three or five friends to sip tea and chat.
Recommended dosage
Although herbal tea has many health benefits, it contains caffeine to ensure health benefits. It varies according to how much herbal tea to consume daily while providing health benefits. Also, the variety of tea leaves will affect the dosage. You need to determine the exact amount for yourself. Does drinking a cup of herbal tea will make you nervous and uneasy? If you drink tea all day, do you have trouble sleeping? If the answer to these questions is yes, then this indicates that you may not be a good tea drinker.
Precautions
All teas contain caffeine, and people who are sensitive to caffeine may get overly excited when drinking tea. Black tea has the most caffeine, while green tea contains the least caffeine.
The vast majority of tea imported into the United States especially bagged tea is of poor quality. Studies have found that low-quality tea contains high toxins, such as fluoride and heavy metals. Buying organic, loose tea is the best choice for your health.
Many teas are hand-picked and hand-processed. When buying tea, look for teas that meet fair trade standards and ensure that the workers who pick and process the tea are paid a fair wage and treated equally.
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