Green Tea: Black or green, it is brimming with heart-healthy benefits. Its compounds have a healthful impact on several markers of heart disease risk, but debate continues as to which kind is healthiest. Recent research suggests it may be a dead heat. In a study, green and black appeared equally protective against fatty arterial plaque buildup.
Eric Chan W.C., CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Green Tea Leaf: Another anti-oxidant, green leaf has become one of the world’s most popular beverages. True tea comes from only one plant, Camellia sinensis, and is naturally processed to various degrees to produce black, green, or oolong (a black and green blend).
Green tea is also wonderful to infuse into moisturizing creams. You can add it in yourself by using the extract. When used twice a day can be helpful in treating skin conditions especially for Rosacea since it contains anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.
Herbal teas are not true teas as they are not made from the Camellia sinensis plant, and therefore do not have the antioxidants that come from this plant. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that the antioxidants, called flavonoids, help neutralize “free radicals” in the body, therefore, helping to maintain healthy cells and tissues.
Tea is seen by many as more than just a beverage; it is also noted for its restorative effects.
Emerging evidence suggests that this folklore actually may have a scientific basis, though more work is needed. Scientific research is just beginning to systematically explore the possibility that tea can restore the body and mind or help maintain homeostasis or balance. Researchers are investigating the relaxation and rejuvenation properties of tea, which are unrelated to the effects of caffeine, as well as tea’s potential to stimulate alertness and mental performance.
While it can have a mildly diuretic effect, much of the fluid it provides is retained by the body. In addition, tea contains other minerals, such as potassium, that help maintain a body’s fluid levels, so its diuretic effect does not pose a huge concern. (Diuretics generally deplete the body of potassium.)
Both black and green may help prevent or delay the formation of tumors specifically in the skin, lungs, esophagus, stomach and colon.
Black tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. Drinking more than four cups of tea per day was associated with a 69% reduced risk of stroke compared to those who drank less tea each day. Studies indicate that tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in two ways: by improving the health of the body’s circulatory system of arteries and veins; and by reducing the risk of a blood clots.
Read more about tea here.