Health Benefits of Popular Teas

Tea is one of the most versatile beverages—it actually has a range of health benefits, unlike some which we just drink for pleasure (diet cola, I’m looking at you!). I think it’s widely known to positively benefit our bodies, but I’m sure you’ve probably underestimated its true potential!

Ginger Tea

From black to green to ginger and more, each type of tea offers up different flavors and properties that can do wonders for your overall health. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the nutrition facts behind several of these brews so you can decide which ones are best for your lifestyle and wellness goals.

So read on to learn about the different healing possibilities when you steep yourself in these teas and get to know five of the most popular teas with me.

Health Benefits of Teas

Green Tea

If someone mentions good-for-you tea, it’s likely you thought of green tea, which is made by steaming tea leaves. Found within green tea is ECGC, which is a type of flavonoid. Flavonoids are antioxidants that patrol the body (and skin—hence why antioxidants are super important within skincare) searching out free radicals, which are high-energy molecules that create a host of metabolic problems, which in turn can impact the development of diseases including certain cancers, coronary heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. 

Specifically within skin care, green tea has been known to provide anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and soothing effects, and for this reason, it’s one of my favorite ingredients to use when my acne is flaring up. As with any tea’s tannins, caffeine is also found within green tea, hence why this ingredient may be added to your favorite eye cream. Caffeine helps to constrict blood vessels, so they don’t look as prominent, and your under-eyes look more awake and less puffy; caffeine truly is the tiredness slayer. 

Spearmint Tea

If mint-flavored foods and drinks are your thing, I have news about spearmint tea: it may decrease your hormonal acne. If you are female and experience chronic hormonal acne, it may be impacted by a hormone known as DHT, which can drive the production of sebum oil. We know that too much sebum can lead to pore clogging and widespread acne breakouts and inflammation.

Consuming spearmint tea regularly has been shown to decrease levels of testosterones, which then reduces the levels of DHT. If DHT levels come down, then the potential for overproduction of sebum (and pore clogging) also reduces. For women, consuming spearmint tea may help to tackle stubborn hormonal acne, especially women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, aka PCOS. Yet for men, this is likely to create undesired results, as testosterone is much more important for the wellbeing of other systems within males, such as overall energy, mental health, and libido.

Black Tea

With its delicious aroma and unique taste, black tea is an incredibly popular drink around the world. In addition to being an enjoyable part of a daily routine, exercise is also linked to a number of impressive health benefits. Many studies have found that consuming just one or two cups of black tea daily has the power to help boost digestion and reduce stress in the body. The tannins are the key. They interact with the cell walls in the digestive tract and make it possible for essential nutrients to be absorbed while also being a very strong anti-inflammatory agent. On the other hand, its calming effects can help calm nerves and make it easier to deal with everyday stress without getting stuck in a cycle of anxiety.

Studies have indicated that regular consumption of black tea can help control cholesterol levels, while also helping to regulate blood sugar levels. It has also been shown to boost immunity and reduce inflammation, making it an effective remedy for minor ailments such as colds and flus. Finally, the polyphenols found in black tea may act as powerful antioxidants, making it important for both short-term and long-term health alike. With such a range of benefits, few drinks can rival black tea as a refreshing yet healthy choice!

Chamomile Tea 

Chamomile tea is made from dried chamomile flowers, with greater numbers of flowers used to create a more potent tea. As the tea’s potency increases, so do the potential benefits for health (but also side effects.) 

One study found consistent intake of chamomile tea helped prevent blood sugar spikes, which is obviously good news for diabetics. However, you may not realize how important this is for acne sufferers. When blood sugar spikes, it causes a large amount of insulin to be released, as it is the hormone that increases sugar uptake from the blood and therefore brings it into a normal range. When there are high levels of insulin, a hormone called IGF-1 is triggered. IGF-1 impacts cellular processes, leading to an increase in inflammation, skin cell production, and oil production, and hence an increased likelihood of pimple formation due to congestion and acne-causing bacteria thriving. The study is based on rats, but there are other studies for humans exploring chamomile tea’s impact on diabetes, so it shows potential. 

There are many other positive impacts of chamomile tea that have been proven, such as reducing inflammation, which can be read about here. This is such an important effect, as long-term inflammation has been linked to many chronic conditions, including arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, and autoimmune conditions. Other health benefits include improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and reduced menstrual pain.

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea can be made by boiling dried or fresh ginger, so that the oils from the ginger infuse the water before drinking it. Of course, it is available in pre-made tea bags, but there is something even more fantastic about creating it fresh. 

Ginger is known for helping with stomach problems like nausea, so many pregnant women drink this tea to help with morning sickness. Other benefits ginger and its tea have are reducing blood pressure; remember that, like with any other benefit, the tea must be consistently consumed to have the desired outcome. 

Ginger has also been shown to help people lose weight (or keep it off) by increasing thermogenesis and making people less hungry.

As with the other teas, ginger tea is also rich in antioxidants, meaning it’s fantastic for tackling free radicals and offering a protective effect against various cancers and diseases like Alzheimer’s. These antioxidants also boost skin health, meaning long-term inflammatory conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea may improve, along with the caffeine’s helping to reduce dark circles. 

Top Tips on Choosing the Right Tea For Your Health Goals

Choosing the right tea for your health goals doesn’t have to be difficult! With a little knowledge about what types of teas are available and understanding which teas best serve different purposes, you can pick just the right tea to get the most out of its therapeutic properties. Consider the types of tea, their concentrations and potencies, as well as the symptoms that can be alleviated with each one. Green and white teas are known for the antioxidants they contain, while herbal teas help clear up congestion and boost the immune system as a whole. There’s a tea for everyone’s needs; you just need to decide which approach is best to meet your goals.

In Conclusion

Tea has long been a favored source of refreshment and relaxation, but its health benefits are now being recognized around the globe. With multiple types of tea to choose from, you’ll be able to find one that suits your needs, whether it’s green tea for improved brain function, black tea for aid in digestion and stress reduction, herbal teas to help reduce inflammation, or white tea for its antioxidant properties. Weighing up the potential health benefits of each type of tea can help you make an informed choice about which tea is best for your individual health goals. Taking these small steps toward making important and informed choices about what goes into our bodies can ultimately lead to a happier, healthier life.

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