Tea 101: Which offers the most benefit?

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Health Benefits of Tea

Written by

Gloria

Tsang, RD

Published in April 2008

 

HealhCastle.com) Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage

in the world after water. Among all varieties of tea - black, green,

white, oolong, red, herbal - which one offers the most health

benefits?

Benefits of TeaNumerous studies have

demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of

antioxidant

polyphenols. Some studies have suggested that tea's polyphenols may

reduce the risk of gastric, esophageal and skin cancers, if one consumes

4 to 6 cups daily. Another study showed that just 2 cups of

tea may

lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 46 percent in women. Other

studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower

cholesterol levels. One Japanese study found that

green tea

lowers death rates from heart disease.

Tea: Black, Green, White or Oolong?

Black, green, white, and oolong teas derive their leaves from a

warm-weather evergreen tree known as Camellia sinensis. The leaves from

this tree contain polyphenols. The more processing tea leaves undergo,

the darker they will turn. Green tea and white tea are the least

processed tea. They are simply steamed quickly. According to Dr. Doug

Balentine, Director of Nutrition Health with

Lipton, white tea is derived from

the young new leaves from the Camellia plant in early spring. These young

leaves contain no chlorophyll, so they are silvery white. Black and

oolong teas are partially dried, crushed and fermented. As we have

mentioned before, regardless of the processing method, black, green,

white and oolong teas all contain polyphenols. In fact, tea ranks as high

as or higher than many fruits and vegetables in the ORAC score, a score

that measures antioxidant potential of plant-based foods.

What about Herbal Tea and Red Rooibos Tea?

Herbal tea is not derived from the leaves of the Camellia plant and

so does not have the particular health-promoting properties. Indeed, most

herbal teas in the market are NOT tea at all. They are only infusions

made with herbs, flowers, roots, spices or other parts of some plants.

The proper term for this type of beverage is " tisane. "

The recently popular South African red Rooibos tea also falls within the

herbal tea or tisane category. " Red Rooibos tea is not really tea as

it is not derived from the Camellia plant, " Dr. Balentine said. They

do not contain the same beneficial flavonoid compounds as found in black

and green teas. In fact, Dr. Balentine said that " no scientific

evidence yet has shown the health benefits of red Rooibos tea. "

 

Although tisane does not contain as any polyphenols, it does promote

other various health qualities such as relaxation and calming

effects.

Tea: Caffeine content

According to the American Dietetic Association, a cup of tea contains

an average of 40 mg of caffeine, compared to 85 mg as found in a cup of

freshly brewed coffee.

What about Decaf Tea?

We do not know whether decaf teas have the same polyphenols, and thus

the same health benefits. It is not yet known if removing caffeine also

removes polyphenols in the decaffeinating process.

 

The Bottom Line

Tea is a healthy beverage offering many health benefits (if

you skip the cream and sugar). Brew your tea for at least 3 - 5 minutes

to bring out the beneficial polyphenols. Enjoy the aroma of tea!

Also beware of bottled green tea beverages, like

Enviga, that claim

to help lose weight! No solid scientific evidence has proven its efficacy

in burning calories.

 

 

http://www.healthcastle.com/tea.shtml