Tuesday, February 16, 2016

My Cup of Tea: Health Benefits You Should be Aware of

Ahhh tea… what a delectable drink. Originally, a popular British trend has moved its way to America. Many Americans today enjoy tea every day, in fact, over 158 million Americans, about half of the U.S. population, will drink tea at some point today. Yes, tea is a delicious drink, but it also has many health benefits as well. Many of these benefits go beyond simply soothing a sore throat when ill.

Caffeine in Tea:

  • The amount of caffeine found in tea is significantly lower than the content of caffeine found in coffee. Tea generally has 20 to 90 milligrams per 8 ounces, whereas coffee has 50 to 120 milligrams per 8 ounces. The overall caffeine content in tea will vary based on what kind of tea it is and how it is brewed.
Tea’s Benefits for the Heart:

·      Black tea especially has been linked to decreasing the risk for heart attacks. Green tea is another type of tea that is associated with lowering cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. It also raises HDL levels.

Shiny Teeth and Tea:

·        The rumor that tea can stain teeth and lead to tooth decay is actually quite false. In 2010, research was conducted in Japan that reported that drinking at least one cup of green tea per day significantly lowers chances for tooth loss. Other studies conducted have seen trends that tea may lower the pH of the tooth surface. This ultimately suppresses the growth of periodontal bacteria. There is actually quite a substantial amount of fluoride in tea as well. It is commonly brewed with fluoridated water and tea plants naturally acquire fluoride from the soil they are grown in.
There are also rumors that tea can reduce the risk for some cancers and that drinking tea can be used as a weight loss aid, but such claims cannot currently be scientifically proven.

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