subject: Facts About the Consumption of Tea [print this page] Facts About the Consumption of Tea Facts About the Consumption of Tea
Tea is regarded as one of the most beneficial drinks in the world. It is as well one of the most consumed by many people. The health benefits one can get out of drinking tea are numerous. Whether you drink black, red, green, or any other variety of tea, you're sure to get a lot of health benefits absent in majority of drinks like coffee and carbonated beverages.
Polyphenol is the main ingredient of tea that makes it very healthy. It is a kind of antioxidant that possess anti-cancer ability. It has the ability to reduce the risk of certain cancers such as skin, ovarian and gastric. Each type of tea provides different benefits so it's really up to you what you want and need to consume daily.
Green, white, and black teas come from the same tree called Camellia sinensis. It is indigenous to many warm areas in the world and the leaves carry the component polyphenol. The difference in the color of tea is caused by the level of processing it undergoes. For example, if the leaves are processed thoroughly and longer, the tea becomes darker in color. This basically means that green and white varieties of tea are the least processed. Black on the other hand undergoes several procedures like drying and fermentation. Nonetheless, it really does not matter what sort of techniques are used in order to make tea leaves consumable since black, green, and white variants all contain the antioxidant polyphenol.
Another popular variety is called herbal or red tea. However, red tea isn't really a tea since it does not come from the Camellia plant and there is no polyphenol. Most experts agree that this herbal tea should not be considered as tea since it does not come from tea leaves and is merely a product coming from different herbs, flowers, and leaves of several plants. Herbal and red teas are mistakenly linked to traditional teas because they have similar benefits like producing a calming state and relaxation for the body.
Lastly, opting for commercial tea products these days isn't really that advantageous compared to that old hot cup of brewed tea. According to the Tea Association of the United States, 90% of tea drinkers in America prefer to consume iced tea instead of the healthier brewed type. The thing with iced tea is that it really does not have the health benefits you would normally find in brewed. Aside from small traces of polyphenol in every bottle or can, iced teas are very well known for high calorie and sugar content. But as long as you prefer drinking brewed tea and avoid iced teas, you're certain to obtain the right kind of health benefits from polyphenol.
