The benefits of tea

Art by Jessica Calaguas

Tea is a beloved beverage around the world. Known for its wild popularity in Britain and its origins in China, tea is a universal pleasure that many partake in daily. There are over 3,000 different types of tea in existence, each one with its own significance and health benefits.

For millions of people tea holds cultural or religious significance, and therefore is often drunk regularly. It is important for tea to become a regular component in your life no matter if it holds cultural significance to you or not. It's hard to deny the health benefits that come with drinking one cup of tea a day. According to pennmedicine.org, “Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease”. Although this is true, it is important to specify that different types of teas have different positive effects on your health.

Teas such as White, Green, and Black tea all contain caffeine, which is often the reason they are consumed. These beverages are the ones that spark the coffee vs. tea debate. Both coffee and tea are common sources of caffeine, however a cup of coffee can have three to four times the amount of caffeine than a cup of tea the same size. While White tea has the least amount of caffeine of any type of caffeinated tea, it is also said to help your teeth by fighting plaque, and may be the most effective tea that fights cancer. Green and Black tea contain other positive effects, such as lowering blood pressure and combating inflammation. Black tea is especially beneficial, because “It can be steamed, cooled and then pressed on minor cuts, scrapes and bruises to relieve pain and reduce swelling. A black tea bath can also ease inflammation caused by skin rashes and conditions such as poison ivy,” said Penn Medicine.

Herbal teas are considered to be the most healthy teas by far. This is because of their never ending stream of positive effects. Teas such as peppermint, ginger, and hibiscus can get rid of sweet cravings, lower blood pressure, prevent motion sickness, and help morning sickness. Specifically peppermint prevents motion sickness because it contains menthol. An article on types of tea states that, “herbal tea is simply the combination of boiling water and botanicals like fruits, flowers, barks, herbs, mints, spices, roots, berries and seeds”. This causes them to be much healthier, due to the fact that they don’t naturally contain caffeine and do not go through a decaffeination process.

Lastly, tea greatly impacts your mental health, it is known to relieve stress, and increase focus. The Canadian Mental Health Association Says that “Green tea, in particular, has been shown to help individuals relax and concentrate more fully on tasks, without the jittery feeling that coffee can bring”.

No matter the reason you are drinking tea, whether it is to prevent motion sickness, lower blood pressure, or just to relax. There is no denying the comfort, benefit, or importance of drinking a warm cup of tea in the morning.