Tea has been a beloved beverage for centuries, and there are many good reasons why mankind continues to consume it. Drinking tea regularly can have a lasting effect on your health and well-being.
The different types of tea
All teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant. While there are literally thousands of varieties of tea in the world, here we will refer to five main types: black, green, oolong, white and yellow. Black tea is withered, fully oxidized and dried. In the process of manking green tea, on the other hand, oxidation of the tea leaves is avoided in order to preserve its natural green color and fresh taste. This type of tea has a more subtle flavor than black tea. Oolong tea is mainly produced in China and Taiwan and is only partially oxidized. White tea is simply dried, causing a very slight oxidation. Yellow tea is the rarest type of tea, and it is very similar to green tea.
Positive effects of for the body
Green tea:
- Contains bioactive compounds. Green tea is full of polyphenol antioxidants, including a catechin called EGCG that gives green tea its medicinal properties. These antioxidants can have various beneficial effects on health, for example by reducing inflammation, preventing cell damage and reducing the formation of free radicals in the body. Also, research has linked compounds in green tea with a reduced risk of cancer, for example breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer.
- Green tea contains compounds that stimulate the brain. Tea has caffeine, although less than coffee, but enough to produce a stimulating effect. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function.
- Green tea can boost metabolic rate and increase fat burning in the short term.
- Green tea catechins may inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, improving our breath odor.