10 Science-Backed Reasons To Drink More Tea

Tea is more than just a popular cold-weather beverage. For thousands of years, tea has been, and still is today, a tradition and ritual, rooted deep in cultures around the world. Originating in China, possibly as early as 2737 B.C., tea drinking spread to Japan, then Holland, and eventually throughout the rest of Europe. Dutch settlers to America first introduced tea in 1650. Britain was one of the last European countries to adopt tea, though it was heavily taxed in the beginning. Most of the tea imports were illegally smuggled until the British government slashed the tax rate in 1784, enabling tea to become an affordable drink for all and not just a beverage for the wealthy.

In the U.K. alone, roughly 75 million cups of tea are consumed daily, while it is estimated that over 3 billion cups are consumed worldwide every day. Tea’s popularity isn’t just due to its pleasant taste either. For centuries it has been drunk for its therapeutic benefits, which have now been heavily studied. So, let’s break down all the science-backed reasons you should be drinking more tea.

10 health benefits of drinking tea.

Tea seems to solve just about any problem. Stressful day at work? Curl up with a warm mug. Feeling sluggish? Perk up with a matcha latte. Under the weather? Soothe a sore throat with some tea and honey.

The medicinal benefits of tea, no matter the variety, have been known for thousands of years. And now, modern science is backing up a lot of those benefits. Here are 10 science-backed reasons to drink more tea:

1. It revs up your metabolism.

Black, oolong, and green tea’s polyphenols all have been shown to increase calorie expenditure and reduce body fat. Interestingly, tea actually promotes one type of fat: brown fat. This type of fat is more metabolically active and contains more mitochondria than white fat, which means brown fat can actually burn calories and improve metabolism.

In a review of 15 studies, it was found that those who consumed two to six cups of green tea a day for longer than 12 weeks had lower body fat and body weight than those who did not. Not a fan of brewed tea yet? Green tea extract, a concentrated form of green tea available in powders and pills, has also shown metabolism-boosting weight loss benefits.

2. It’s anti-inflammatory.

Inflammation has been linked to everything from diabetes to cognitive decline. In fact, it has been implicated as the root of almost all chronic diseases. The antioxidant polyphenols in tea are powerful inflammation fighters. In fact, the EGCG in green tea is as much as 100 times more potent than the antioxidant power of vitamin C.

Research has shown that tea can be beneficial for those with inflammatory bowel disease as well as other inflammation-driven diseases.

3. It reduces the risk of dying from certain chronic diseases.

In a study of more than 40,000 adults, it was found that regular tea consumption reduced the risk of dying from heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. In fact, participants who drank five or more cups of green tea per day had a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular death compared to those who drank less than one cup per day. Researchers credit green tea’s effect on hypertension and obesity along with potent polyphenols for its protective effect.

Chronic diseases are among the leading causes of death in the U.S., making tea all the more important to drink daily. More benefit was seen in those who drank three to four cups a day versus one cup or no cups, so drink up!

4. It can improve insulin sensitivity.

Green tea may help reduce complications from diabetes. Diabetes is a worldwide health concern, with significant risks of complications, early death, and poorer quality of life. Research shows tea can improve insulin sensitivity, protect pancreatic cells from further damage, and decrease inflammation, all benefiting those at risk for or already diagnosed with diabetes.

5. It’s good for your brain.

Regular tea consumption may lower the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. While the exact causes of Alzheimer’s are still unclear and there is no cure, research confirms that green and black tea drinking improves cognitive scores among those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Additionally, it can boost memory and increase attention span to prevent cognitive decline. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in tea has been shown to improve reaction time, visual processing, memory, and concentration. It even changes the way your brain is organized for more efficient information processing.

6. It may help prevent cancer.

Green tea’s catechin EGCG is a potent antioxidant that has major cancer-fighting potential. Lab and animal studies have found that EGCG can reduce metastasis and improve outcomes for cancers of the breasts, lungs, colon, skin, and others.

While more clinical studies in humans are needed, some long-term observational studies have found similar cancer-fighting benefits. For example, Japanese women who drank 10 or more cups of green tea a day (120 ml or 4 ounces each) had a seven-year delay in cancer onset. This amount of tea was reported to be equivalent to 2.5 grams of green tea extract.

7. It’s good for your mouth.

Not all drinks are good for you mouth (looking at you, sugary sodas and juices!). But teas can actually improve oral health. Tea contains fluoride and can improve bacterial populations in the mouth. This reduces the risk of periodontal disease, cavities, and possibly even oral cancer. So even if you skimp on flossing here and there, you can still feel good about your oral health if you are sipping tea.

8. It may boost fertility.

Is there anything tea can’t do? A 2018 review reports struggles with fertility are heavily influenced by the degree of oxidative stress in reproductive tissues. Enter: tea. The polyphenols in tea have confirmed anti-inflammatory and potent antioxidant effects. Therefore, the authors suggest, tea can improve fertility in both men and women. More research is needed, but it certainly looks promising.

9. It’s hydrating.

This one might surprise you. While it was previously thought that tea (and coffee) promoted dehydration by acting like a diuretic and causing the body to lose more fluid, recent research finds that up to six to eight cups of tea a day is just as hydrating as the same amount of water.

10. It’s good for your gut.

Gut health isn’t all just fiber and probiotics. Research shows that tea’s polyphenols can beneficially modify gut bacteria. This can lead to positive health effects like reduced carbohydrate absorption, improved blood sugar levels, and weight loss.

Source: https://inducelabornaturally.com/10-science-backed-reasons-to-drink-more-tea/