The Health Benefits of Tea ...
Apr 14, 2025
The Healing Power of Tea!
All over the World, whenever people need to give themselves a boost, they boil water and make tea! In this post we look at the research into the potential health benefits of your morning cuppa ...
Drinking a refreshing cup of hot tea has become such an integral part of our day that we rarely give it a second thought. Whether it’s traditional tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, or other tea-like drinks such as Herbal & Fruit infusions, everyone has their favourite brew:
When we’re feeling cold … Tea warms us
When we have cold & flu symptoms … Tea soothes us
When we’re worried, or feeling low … Tea cheers us
When we’re lacking energy … Tea gives us a boost
When we’re feeling hungry … Tea helps keep our hunger at bay
When we need to unwind … Tea helps us relax
But what is it about the taste of tea that we enjoy? … And is drinking tea actually beneficial to our health? Let’s find out…
6 Health Benefits of Tea
The benefits of drinking tea go far beyond simply tasting good.
Research has shown that drinking tea can help protect brain health, improve heart function, and may even prevent certain types of cancer.
1. Tea Protects Heart Health
Recent research suggests that tea drinking can significantly lower the risk of serious heart disease including heart attack and blood clotting. Tea contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe tissue in arteries. This helps to minimize the risk of inflammation that can restrict blood circulation and cause clotting (1). Drinking tea may also help lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol levels. The results of one research study into green tea benefits found that people who drank four cups or more of green tea each day had a 32 percent decreased risk of heart attack and significantly lower levels of bad cholesterol.
2. Tea Boosts Energy
Green tea contains high levels of antioxidants. It is approximately 20-45 percent polyphenols by weight, of which 60-80 percent are catechins. Catechins are antioxidants that are thought to help prevent cell damage.
The energy-boosting properties of green tea are also due to an amino acid called L-theanine.
This amino acid slows the absorption of caffeine. As a result, the energy boost we experience from tea lasts longer and is released more steadily than that from coffee.
L-theanine also helps improve brain function and increases focus, while at the same time having a calming and relaxing effect.
A cup of large leaf Green or White tea will typically contain less caffeine than a cup of finely cut darker teas such as Black Tea or Oolong. This is largely due to the fact that cooler water is used to brew the tea and there is typically a shorter infusion time. The larger leaf size means that you are likely to use less tea in the pot.
If you are wishing to reduce your caffeine intake you may want to consider a decaffeinated tea, or a lower caffeine green tea such as Bancha, Kukicha or Hojicha, or one of the many herbal tea options.
3. Tea May Aid Weight Loss
Green tea may help promote weight loss thanks to its chemical composition. Green tea contains amino acids that trigger the body to burn stored fat. Interestingly, the studies have shown that these benefits are more evident in individuals of Asian descent(2).
Drinking tea helps boost energy levels due to the stimulant effect of the caffeine. Green Tea also keeps the body hydrated and may help to satisfy a sweet tooth. Green tea is a calorie-free drink so you can drink as many cups as you'd like without feeling guilty. Replacing sugary sodas and sports drinks with green tea can cut calories and help you reach your fitness goals sooner.
4. Tea Supports Mental Health & Wellbeing
Tea offers natural calming effects that can reduce stress and help you unwind after a tough day. Regular tea consumption has been linked to lower risk of neurological disease and decreased stress levels. Green tea consumption has also shown promise in preventing cognitive decline associated with brain disease such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
Tea contains antioxidants that work to prevent oxidative stress, which can damage healthy cells. Antioxidants in tea eliminate free radicals caused by pollution and other factors, which can cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been linked to dementia and depression. Antioxidants also help cleanse the body of toxins that can cause mental health problems. Regular tea drinkers have been shown to have lower stress levels and improved overall health.
5. Tea May Help To Regulate Blood Sugar
Drinking tea may help to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent or control diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. Black tea has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels after eating a meal. The effects were demonstrated for up to 120 minutes after meal consumption. These health benefits are attributed to the polyphenols in tea which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers (3).
6. Tea Aids Digestion
Tea aids digestion and can help treat a host of issues ranging from nausea and upset stomach to diarrhea. Fermented food and drink are widely consumed for their health benefits, and fermented teas such as Puerh have been drunk for thousands of years for their rich peaty flavours and their beneficial effect on digestion and body function.
Herbal drinks such as Ginger and Mint teas have long been used in China and India to treat an upset stomach. The ingredients gingerol and shogaol in Ginger helps to soothe the stomach lining to prevent vomiting. Mint tea also helps to soothe an upset stomach thanks to high levels of antioxidants and menthol.
Traditional tea from the leaves of Camellia sinensis also contains tannins, which have been shown to reduce intestinal inflammation. This can help soothe stomach cramps and treat IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
Teas to Try
Herbal Teas
We stock a wide range of Herbal Teas including: Chamomile, Mint, Honeybush, Antistress Blend, Good Digestion, and Good Night blend.
Green Teas
Check out our range of Green teas and top up your antioxidants:
We have a wide selection, including low caffeine options such as the excellent Bancha Arashiyama, Kukicha, and Hojicha, or why not try Sencha with Ginger & Orange
Fermented Teas
If you’re looking for teas to aid digestion check out our fully fermented teas such as Fu Brick tea or Pu-Erh
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3123419/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19597519
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689013/
