Instead of reaching for your usual cup of coffee in the morning, considering trying another source of caffeine to kick start your morning or finish off your day. Research has proven that tea has countless positive qualities beyond just being delicious.
Green Tea
Green tea contains caffeine, but not as much as coffee that you feel “jittery,” but just enough to keep you awake. It also has the amino acid L-theanine, which improves brain function. It has been proven that the plentiful antioxidants help lower the risk of several types of cancers. This drink also helps to boost your metabolic rate, which can help with weight loss.
Feeling stressed? Green tea activates the neurotransmitter GABA, which has anti-anxiety effects. There has been research done that found that green tea drinkers are more likely to live longer than non-tea drinkers.
Chamomile Tea
This herbal tea is made from dried flowers that are then infused into hot water. This is the perfect drink to sip before going to sleep, as it’s known for its calming effects. Chamomile tea contains apigenin, an antioxidant that promotes sleepiness and reduces insomnia.
Chamomile tea can also be soothing to the stomach and has been used to treat nausea due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Due to its antiseptic properties, it can also aid in eliminating acne scars and fighting breakouts.
Chai Tea
Chai tea contains fermented black tea leaves combined with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and fresh ginger to make for a spicy and sweet flavor. Just like green tea, chai tea contains about one-third the amount of caffeine in a regular cup of coffee.
If you are someone who is trying to give up coffee, chai tea is a great alternative that allows you to drink multiple cups in a day without many of the negative aspects of coffee. Because of the spices in chai tea, it is great in helping with digestion. Ginger helps to improve circulation, while black pepper produces digestive enzymes that break down fats and proteins. The cardamom in chai tea also contains high levels of vitamin C that work to keep your immune system healthy.
Earle Grey Tea
Earle grey tea is a black tea infused with bergamot orange. It contains antidepressant and relaxant properties, meaning it can help with stress, anxiety and keeping your mind stabilized overall. Bergamot also helps to bring your cholesterol to a healthy level. Fluoride, a natural component found in Earle Gray Tea, protects your teeth against decay and cavities. Fun Fact: this tea was named after the prime minister of England in the 1800s, Charles Grey!
White Tea
Both white, black and green tea are made from the camellia sinensis plant; however, each is processed differently to make unique flavors. White tea is the least processed out of the three, resulting in a high number of antioxidants. White tea is packed with polyphenols, a plant-based molecule with antioxidant benefits; these may reduce the risk of heart disease by relaxing blood vessels and boosting immunity. Additionally, research has found that applying white tea extract to the skin helped protect against the damaging effects of the sun.
With so many teas to choose from, along with the plentiful benefits of each, there is no reason not to sip this healthy and delightful drink.
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