Four teas that prevent cancer, reduce risk of hypertension, and protect against neurological degeneration!

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Tea is the most widely consumed beverage outside of water and is found in 80 percent of all U.S. households.  On a given day, approximately 158 million Americans are drinking tea.(1)  Research reports that the health benefits of tea are attributed to antioxidants called polyphenols that naturally occur in tea.(2)

On any given day, 158 million American’s receive the nutritional benefits associated with tea drinking!

If you are not a tea drinker, consider the following benefits that you may get by adding tea to your daily beverages.

  • Tea boosts exercise endurance.  Green tea extract has been found to increase the body’s ability to burn fat.
  • Tea reduces risk of heart attack, cardiovascular disease and degenerative diseases.
  • Antioxidants found in tea protect agains breast, colon, colorectal, skin, lung, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver, ovarian, prostate and oral cancer.
  • Tea helps fight free radicals that have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and neurological degeneration.
  • Despite the caffeine found in some teas, tea is hydrating for the body.
  • Consumption of tea is linked to lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
  • Tea protects against ultraviolet rays.
  • Green tea improves bone mineral density and strength.(2)

Four types of tea that can help fight cancer, reduce stomach discomfort, protect the brain and reduce hypertension!

Tea is a great choice for a hot summer day or a cold winter day.  If you are search of the perfect tea, consider choosing from the following four varieties.

  1. Darjeeling:  Darjeeling tea comes from plants grown in the foothills of the Himalayan’s.  A recent study found that Darjeeling tea can inhibit H.pylori.  More than half of the global population have the pathogen, H. pylori.  Fifteen to twenty percent of these people develop ulcers, gastritis, and gastric cancer as a result of the pathogen.  Steep the tea for five minutes and hold the milk, as milk can inhibit the functionality of active compounds.
  2. Oolong:  Oolong tea is a semi-fermented Chinese tea. One study found that one-half cup to 2.5 cups of oolong tea per day can reduce risk of hypertension by 46 percent.
  3. Black:  Black tea is derived from tea leaves that reach full fermentation.  A study found that the antioxidant compounds found in black tea prevent the formation of senile plaque that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
  4. Yerba Maté:  Yerba Maté is derived from a holly species native to South America.  A 2011 study found that yerba maté causes colon cancer cells to self destruct.(3)

Throughout the day, make tea a regular part of your routine in order to reap the health benefits, hydrate your body, and improve your energy.  If you get bored, switch it up, try new flavors and new varieties with the change of seasons.

Sources included:

(1)  http://www.teausa.com/14655/tea-fact-sheet

(2)  http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/04/13-reasons-to-love-tea/

(3)  http://www.oprah.com/health/Teas-that-Prevent-Cancer-and-Hypertension_1

Lynn Griffith
Lynn is a licensed therapist who enjoys cooking, creativity and enjoys helping other's learn how to care for their minds and bodies through healthy eating.  Lynn has wrote for The Raw Food World News and is currently in the process of building her own website focused on managing mental health through nutrition and wellness.