Fatima Pagtakhan

Pros and Cons of Drinking Tea Daily

Besides water, tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world. Dating back to ancient China, it is steeped in 5,000 years of history, romance and healing.

PROS:

Numerous studies show that all tea (whether white, green, oolong or black) can play a significant role in lowering risk for a vast number of conditions, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, cognitive decline and obesity. Tea has also been shown to alleviate depression, lower blood pressure and give your brain a boost.

Did you know that one cup of tea contains 2 calories and zero fat, carbs, protein & fiber?

Below are a few tea types that will benefit your health:

Black Tea

Study after study shows that drinking black tea improves cardiovascular health--the more you drink, the more the heart benefits! A UCLA study found that people who consume 3 or more cups of black tea per day had a 21% reduced risk of stroke compared to those who skipped it. Black tea may protect your lungs (for smokers).

Green Tea

Green tea can fight cancer, lower cholesterol and boost immune function. It is most popular for helping burn fat because of the high levels of catechins, specifically EGCG, which rev up metabolism and shrink fat cells, particularly in the abs. Green tea may also help oxidative stress, and reduce neurological disorders.

White Tea

This tea retains higher levels of antioxidants because of the minimal processing it goes through. A German study published in Nutrition & Metabolism showed that white-tea extract caused fat cells to break down while preventing new far cells from forming.

Oolong Tea

Scientists say that oolong tea is easier on the stomach than green tea and contains more polyphenols. Just one cup of oolong increases metabolism by 20% for two hours--nearly twice as long as three strong cups of green tea.

Rooibos Tea (red tea)

Technically not a tea but a tisane, rooibos is made from the leaves of the red bush plant from South Africa. It's caffeine-free and notable for its ability to stop flab from forming. According to South African researchers, the polyphenols and flavonoids in this red brew inhibit the formation of new fat cells by as much as 22percent. Rooibos tea can benefit exercise performance, improve concentration and boost mood.

CONS:

There is no true way to ensure that pesticides have been intentionally kept out of your tea unless they are certified organic. Below are a few of the issues with most tea:

Pesticides