A Cup of a Tea in The Benefits

Tea has been celebrated as a healthy alternative to coffee not only because it has lower levels of caffeine, but primarily due to the presence of polyphenols found in the Camellia sinesis plant leaves that tea is made out of. Polyphenols are strong antioxidant chemicals that have the power to contain damaging free radicals and prevent them from attacking cells and promoting cancer growths.

Vitamins and minerals are also present in tea leaves, adding to the list of health benefits of drinking tea. There are 6 main types of vitamins that are found in tea which all promote healthy regulation within the body; Vitamin B, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K. Further tea contains naturally occurring minerals Fluoride, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc.

Black tea, which contains the most caffeine out of all common varieties, can be closely likened to coffee with a milder taste. Although plain black tea is often found in varieties like Earl Grey and English breakfast, flavor infusions, which add taste but not too many calories, have become popular. Each blend of flavored black tea contains some dried fruits, spices, or even flower petals. When the tea is steeped, the flavors from the fruits or spices are released and mixed in.

From a different species of the camellia sinensis plant, green tea has also gained in popularity over the past 20 years. Even with less caffeine, green tea can still give you a morning jolt, but the beverage has come under attention for supposed health properties. Studies ranging from reducing risks of heart disease and cancer to weight loss have been done with green tea, but the results of all indicate that the beverage, even in concentrated form, is not a substitute for proper medical attention or a dieting and exercise strategy.

White tea has emerged over the past decade and supersedes green tea in antioxidant content. With the most mellow flavor and lowest caffeine content, white tea often has flavor infusions that give the beverage more body. Blends of this tea, however, vary, with buds and leaves used in different amounts.