The #1 Tea To Drink
It's 3 p.m. You've officially hit that afternoon slump. Feeling slightly tired and sluggish after a long day of work, you turn on a kettle and start to fish through boxes of tea, wondering which one would provide the best pick-me-up. While almost every type of caffeinated tea would help energize you, there's one particular brew that also boosts your body's overall health: green tea.
According to numerous experts and studies, drinking green tea provides your body with many health benefits. In particular, green tea's antioxidant content can help ward off chronic diseases and assist with weight loss. This is why we use green tea in nearly all of our high-performance teas.
Why should you consider drinking green tea?
"Green tea is high in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that fight free radicals and ward off chronic diseases," says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim.
"Green tea is a great choice due to the antioxidant content," Jinan Banna, PhD, RD adds. "A diet rich in antioxidants may lower the risk of chronic disease. The antioxidants found in green tea may have anti-cancer properties, for example."
Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook, specifically points out how green tea differs from other types of popular teas. Because of its antioxidant properties, green tea is considered a "true tea" alongside other popular blends like black, oolong, and white tea. Herbal teas such as chamomile, ginger, and peppermint are helpful for soothing indigestion or stomach pain. While herbal teas are great options to drink (especially before bed), Goodson points out that consuming a "true tea" like green tea helps reduce inflammation in the body thanks to the polyphenols. In contrast, the herbal partner in the blend can help to soothe & relax, providing a great balance.
Along with its potent antioxidant properties, green tea can also aid your weight loss goals. The Canadian Pharmacists Journal published a study reviewing previous claims that green tea can help you lose weight. And researchers found that the claims held up after a 12-week weight loss study comparing participants that consumed green tea versus those who drank none.
According to the Nutrition Journal, green tea has also been proven to improve cholesterol levels, which leads to a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Another study by the University of Basel in Switzerland also found ways that green tea can help brain and cognition function.
What is the healthiest green tea to drink?
While choosing any green tea from supermarket shelves will provide your body with some health benefits, not all green tea is created equally. Matcha, a type of green tea, is considered one of the healthiest teas to drink.
"Matcha is considered one of the healthiest green teas because it has a higher antioxidant level than traditional green tea and is particularly known for its anti-cancer properties," Young says.
Do you add sugar to your tea?
While sipping on a steaming cup of green tea in the afternoon is a great way to get you through that afternoon slump, it's also common to reach for something sugary for fast energy. Some people enjoy adding cream and sugar to their tea to curb that sugar craving, but if you're not careful, your cup of tea can quickly turn from healthy to unhealthy.
If the taste of green tea is too bitter for you, the best solution is to try a "green tea" & herbal tea blend as it provides similar antioxidant properties with natural sweetness.
"The best tea is the kind you can enjoy without tons of added sugar, such as with sweet tea or some mass-produced pre-packaged teas," Goodson says.
If you still feel like you need something sweet in your cup, Goodson recommends "sweetening your tea with a teaspoon of agave or honey for a touch of sweetness and [still enjoy] all of the goodness of true tea."
You can also double your antioxidant intake by nibbling on a piece of your favorite dark chocolate. Dark chocolate can help curb your sugar cravings while your body reaps the antioxidant benefits that cacao provides. Between a cup of your favorite green tea and that piece of dark chocolate, you'll squash that afternoon slump in no time.
Kerri Imrie has a Diploma in Business Management and is the founder of Tea Now.
Kerri is passionate about holistic health. Her goal is to empower people to take control of their health and show that the quality of our lives is directly linked to how we treat our bodies and minds. You can follow her @teanow.au
Kerri is not a qualified health practitioner. Always consult a health professional before deciding if a health product is right for you.