Tea and Health

The health benefits of drinking tea have been known for centuries but just recently these benefits are being scientifically tested and proven. Many of the studies have used green tea exclusively but more are being conducted using white, oolong and black teas. These studies and this blog post are focused on the leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant, not other plant-based infusions often referred to as "teas."

The latest research shows tea contains ECGC (epigallocatechin gallate) an antioxidant that has been linked to protection from a wide range of cancers including lung, prostate and breast cancer. This study has been conducted using green tea but the scientists have also begun to look at white tea. The preliminary findings are that white tea may contain even more ECGC than green.

Tea also contains L-theanine. This amino acid, found almost exclusively in tea plants, has been attributed to keeping tea drinkers mentally alert without making them jittery and edgy. L-theanine reportedly affects the brain's neurotransmitters and increased alpha brain waves. The result is a calm, yet alert, state of mind.

Black tea was cited in a study on improving cardiovascular health. The studies showed that consuming black tea improves blood vessel reactivity which reduces blood pressure and arterial stiffness creating a better cardiovascular profile.

The confusion seems to arise in the consumer as to which tea is best. If all tea comes from the same plant then why do the different types of tea have different properties? The answer lies in the way the raw leaf is plucked and processed. White tea only uses the buds of the tea leaf. Green, oolong and black use at least the top two leaves and a bud. Each type of tea undergoes a different process to create the end product.

The Tea Lady maintains that it is better to drink some tea rather than no tea. If one doesn't care for green tea substituting black tea is not going to diminish the health benefits. Is is important to know that tea does contain caffeine. If a tea drinker has caffeine issues or wants to avoid it altogether, there are a wide range of decaffeinated teas available.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_tea