The Health Benefits of Tea

Types of Tea:

1. True Tea

Consists of black, white, green and oolong tea. All of these teas contain caffeine. On average one 8-ounce cup of black tea contains 14 – 70 milligrams of caffeine, compared to coffee containing 95 – 200 milligrams per 1 cup.

Black, white, green and oolong teas are packed with antioxidants. An antioxidant rich diet (in additional to an overall healthy lifestyle) has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, a variety of cancers and many other chronic diet-related diseases. The antioxidants in green tea specifically are believed to assist the body in burning fat as fuel, which might increase our metabolism and muscle elasticity.

2. Herbal Teas

Generally made from the leaves, roots and bark of plants (these parts are not easily edible) and therefore the health benefits are varied. Steeped in hot water you can extract a more digestible form of their crucial nutrients. One key element that almost all herbal teas share is that they contain no caffeine, so feel free to go for a 2nd or 3rd cup! Some of my favorite herbal teas include: peppermint to improve digestion, chamomile for relaxation and dandelion root, which has been shown to help our body naturally cleanse and detoxify.

3. Yerba Mate

Made from the leaves of the yerba mate tree and does not neatly fit in the category of a true tea or herbal tea. Yerba Mate contains caffeine and antioxidants like traditional teas in addition to 24 vitamins and minerals and 15 amino acids. Yerba Mate has been used for generations as an herbal medicine believed to help with issues such as allergies, digestion and fatigue.