Top 10 Reasons to Drink Tea

Tea is one of the oldest and most popular beverages around the world. Its popularity has a lot to do with its versatility. Tea can be served hot or cold, and comes in an endless variety of flavors. Even more important, though, is that tea provides many known health benefits. Take a look at the list below for some of the most significant ways tea can improve your quality of life. You’re sure to find at least one reason to brew up a cup of this delicious drink.

1. Prevent Cancer

   Tea is a great source of antioxidant polyphenols, which, according to numerous studies, can reduce cancer risk. Drinking just two cups of tea per day may lower the risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 46%. Risks for breast, lung, stomach, colon, and other cancers have also been shown to drop when patients consumed tea regularly. Tea may also help patients already diagnosed with cancer. In fact, a study conducted by Rutgers University showed that tea may actually halt cancer growth. The study involved colorectal cancer cells, which died when exposed to a compound found in black tea.

2. Fight Off Heart Disease

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   Tea, specifically green tea, can work as effectively as aspirin to ward off blood clots. It has also been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels and block the enzyme that causes hypertension. This leads to decreased blood pressure, which further lowers a person’s risk of heart disease. One notable experiment showed that heart patients who drank 4 cups of tea per day improved their blood vessel function by 50%.

3. Protect Your Teeth

   Studies show that tea inhibits the growth of plaque-causing bacteria. It also reduces bacteria’s ability to adhere to teeth, and can stop some bacteria from producing harmful acids. Tea also contains fluoride, a key component in teeth protection. As an added bonus, tea can also prevent bad breath!

4. Boost Your Metabolism

   Studies at several universities showed that green tea can raise a person’s metabolic rate. The most recent estimate is that it can boost your metabolism by approximately 4%. Green tea also has a noticeable effect on fat oxidation, which is the rate at which the body processes fats.

5. Improve Your Mind

   Drinking two cups of tea per day may cut your risk of mental impairment, such as dementia, in half. This is partially due to tea’s caffeine content. Caffeine in general has been shown to temporarily improve short-term memory and reduce the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, certain amino acids found in tea can improve alertness and focus.

6. De-Stress

   A study at the University College of London showed that drinking black tea can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Green tea can also help improve your mood by controlling blood sugar levels. Additionally, drinking decaffeinated, herbal teas, such as chamomile, can help you get a more restful night’s sleep.

7. Protect Your Bones and Joints

   A study published in 2002 showed that people who drink tea regularly have a noticeably higher bone density than their peers who do not drink tea. This is because tea can help slow bone loss as you age. One theory is that tea actually mimics the effects of estrogen, a hormone known to promote bone strength. Another study showed that women who drank tea were 60% less likely to develop arthritis pain.

8. Avoid the Flu

   Plenty of people drink tea and other hot liquids to soothe cold and flu symptoms, but drinking tea regularly can actually help you avoid the flu virus altogether. A study from the United Kingdom showed that green tea not only inhibited the growth of the influenza virus, but it actually killed off flu cells. Furthermore, unlike regular flu vaccinations, the tea had an effect on multiple strains of the flu virus, not just one.

9. Get Great Skin

   Tea helps hydrate your body, which directly leads to more glowing, healthy-looking skin. More importantly, though, is that Green tea acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. This means it can reduce redness and swelling from acne. Green tea also has anti-bacterial properties, which can help kill the bacteria that are causing a breakout. Drinking tea is a great way to reap all these benefits, but many people also use green tea pills and creams. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology found green tea to be just as effective as benzoyle peroxide (one of the most common acne-fighting chemicals) at ending breakouts.

10. Live Longer

    With all the benefits mentioned above, it is easy to see how tea can help you live a longer, healthier life. However, if you want more definitive proof, Japan conducted a study of over 40,000 people and found that regular tea drinkers had a noticably longer lifespan.