The Top 10 Benefits of Tea by Ron Hunninghake, M.D., Nutritional Medicine
10) Tea is magical: "If you are cold, it will warm you; if you
are too heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will
cheer you; if you are excited, it will calm you."
9) Tea is low in carbs and low in calories: Unsweetened,
fresh-brewed tea-both black and green, hot or iced, regular or
decaffeinated-is 100 percent natural, has no fat, calories, sodium,
or sugar.
8) Tea is packed with phytonutrients: The antioxidants in black
and green tea, called flavonoids, may help to maintain healthy
cells and tissues as well as contribute to healthy cardiovascular
function. Antioxidants are natural plant based biochemicals that
prevent oxidation or "rusting" of living tissues.
7) Tea has a high ORAC score: USDA researchers, using a test
tube measure called ORAC, found that an 8-ounce serving of black or
green tea is more effective in neutralizing free radicals than
individual servings of more than 33 commonly consumed fruits and
vegetables.
6) Tea has just the right touch of caffeine: Regular black and
green teas contain about half the caffeine as a comparable cup of
coffee. International Food Information Council Foundation reports
that: Extensive research shows that moderate caffeine intake is not
a health risk. Moderate use of caffeine is defined as about 300 mg
per day (eight cups of brewed hot or iced tea or three cups of
brewed coffee).
5) Black tea may reduce your risk of heart disease: Eight
hundred elderly Dutch men consuming 3.4 cups of tea per day
decreased their risk of death from coronary heart disease by 58
percent compared to those who consumed lesser amounts of flavonoid
rich foods.
4) Tea may take the place of a baby aspirin: Aspirin has been
shown to provide protection against heart attack or stroke by
reducing tendency of blood platelets to stick together to form
clots that block arteries. Many doctors recommend that patients at
risk for heart attack s take aspirin every day. Emerging findings
from animal studies suggest the flavonoids in tea may also decrease
the tendency of platelets to stick together.
3) Tea may reduce your risk of cancer: Animal studies suggest
that both black and green tea may help prevent or delay the
formation of tumors-specifically in the skin, lung, esophagus,
stomach, and colon.
2) Tea restores mind and body: Recent studies indicate that
drinking a cup of black tea rapidly "revives" by improving mental
alertness. These effects of tea are not solely due to the effect of
caffeine.
1) Tea is the perfect social drink: For over 5000 years, almost
every culture on the planet has enjoyed "tea time." Tea, black,
green, or the intermediate oolong blend, is mankind's most popular,
most healthy, most calming, most reviving beverage.
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