Make time for the best kind of tea: ‘true tea’

By Lori Zanteson
Posted on April 29, 2024

Tea has been enjoyed for more than 5,000 years. Its consumption is supported by modern research for related health benefits and disease risk reduction.

Tea contains polyphenols, antioxidant plant compounds associated with health benefits.

The four types of tea known as “true” teas — white, green, Oolong and black — are all made from the leaves of the evergreen shrub, Camellia sinensis.

White tea is the least processed, and is made from buds and certain leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
Green tea is produced from freshly harvested leaves, immediately steamed to prevent oxidation, or exposure to oxygen.
Oolong tea is oxidized for a short period of time.
Black tea is completely oxidized.

The varying degrees of oxidation may affect the health-promoting, antioxidant compounds of each type of tea, rendering them unique.

Drink to good health

Tea has been widely studied and is associated with many evidence-based health benefits:

Heart health: Evidence suggests that regular tea consumption (about two cups per day, unsweetened) may reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and may help reduce blood pressure, total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Cancer prevention: Tea polyphenols may also play a role in cancer prevention. Research shows that catechins may be powerful inhibitors of cancer cell reproduction.
Lowering diabetes risk: Dietary polyphenols, such as those in tea, may lower risk of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes by helping regulate blood sugar management due to their ability to increase blood sugar, or glucose, excretion through urine and improve insulin resistance.
Gut health: Many polyphenols are unabsorbed until they reach the large intestine where they are broken down by gut bacteria. They feed beneficial gut bacteria, which contributes to diversity of the gut microbiome, helping improve gut function and maintain a strong immune system.

Steep often

Drinking tea more often is easy when you learn to do it in different ways — like sipping iced tea instead of water, for example. Hot or cold, the benefits are the same, but avoid less-healthy add-ins, like sugar or creamer. Also, feel free to drink different teas for different benefits, and add lemon juice for an extra antioxidant boost.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1-800-829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com.