Table of contents:
- Various types of tea and their benefits
- 1. Black tea
- 2. Green tea
- 3. White tea
- 4. Oolong tea
- 5. Kombucha
- What types of teas are the healthiest?
Tea comes from a plant Camellia sinensis which has a number of good content of antioxidants and caffeine. Tea itself has various types with their respective benefits and advantages for health. What are the most common types of teas and which ones are the healthiest?
Various types of tea and their benefits
There are several types of tea that come from the same plant. However, what sets these teas apart is the manufacturing process.
Black tea is made from perfectly oxidized leaves. Oxidation is a process that involves the interaction of oxygen with the surface of the tea leaves to produce active components that are beneficial to the body.
Oolong tea is partially oxidized, while green tea is not. Similar to green tea, white tea is also not oxidized, but white tea is made from young leaves or buds. All types of tea are beneficial for health.
1. Black tea
Black tea has the highest caffeine content among other types of tea. This level of caffeine makes black tea a substitute for coffee to stimulate the work of the body and brain. Black tea also contains fluoride which can help protect you from dental caries or cavities.
The antioxidant content in black tea is effective in reducing the risk of heart attack, atherosclerosis, kidney stones, ovarian cancer, and Parkinson's disease.
In addition, black tea can also help prevent orthostatic hypotension, which is a condition in which you feel dizzy and lightheaded due to a drop in blood pressure, especially when you suddenly stand up from a sitting or lying position.
Black tea can also lower cholesterol levels and help increase your energy levels. Research shows that black tea can prevent the lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution. It also reduces the risk of stroke.
2. Green tea
Green tea is made from tea leaves that go through only one filter. Green tea is a type of tea that is rich in antioxidants, which function to prevent infections of the bladder and help fight certain types of cancer such as breast cancer and lung cancer.
Green tea can lower total cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels. The polyphenolic compounds found in green tea can also inhibit the absorption of cholesterol by the small intestine and simultaneously help the body get rid of excess cholesterol.
Due to its cholesterol-lowering properties, green tea can also help prevent atherosclerosis, which is blockage of blood vessels caused by high levels of bad fats in the body. Atherosclerosis can lead to heart disease and stroke later in life.
Some of the other benefits of green tea include treating stomach ulcers, regulating body temperature, controlling blood sugar levels, helping digestion, and increasing the cognitive abilities of the brain.
3. White tea
White tea is a type of tea that is processed from young tea leaves, so it tastes a little bit sweeter. White tea has benefits for oral health and helps inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
White tea contains caffeine and antioxidants called catechins, which can help you lose weight and break down body fat.
When compared to other types of tea, white tea has a higher number of polyphenols, which are known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
4. Oolong tea
In an animal study, a given source of antioxidants from oolong tea actually had lower levels of bad cholesterol.
Just like other types of tea, the antioxidant content in oolong tea is also known to prevent various diseases, such as preventing ovarian cancer. Oolong tea contains flavonol antioxidants.
In addition, oolong tea is also useful for lowering blood sugar levels and can help with weight loss.
5. Kombucha
Kombucha tea is a type of tea that is fermented by sugar, good bacteria and fungi (yeast) which can be an excellent source of probiotics.
Kombucha tea can help rebuild the gut microbiome to keep it in balance and improve the health of your digestive system.
What types of teas are the healthiest?
All types of healthy teas with their respective benefits. Healthy or not this type of tea depends on what purpose you are consuming the tea. You can choose the type of tea according to what you need based on the benefits provided by the tea.
For example, if you want to lose weight you can consume white tea or oolong tea. Or if you want to prevent cancer, you can choose green tea as the type of tea you consume daily. The reason is, the antioxidant content in green tea is quite high.
However, drink tea in moderation and within limits. Drinking tea should be no more than 5 cups a day. If you consume too much tea every day and this has been going on for years, you are at risk for several health problems such as insomnia, anemia, osteoporosis, dependence, and anxiety.
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