Is Drinking Tea Good For Health?

Tea is the most common beverage enjoyed across the world. For many of us, mornings truly begin only after a soothing cup of tea. Tea has been woven into the cultural fabric of several countries like India where tea represents relaxation, hospitality, and tradition.

All types of tea - black, green and oolong - come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The way these leaves are processed determines the tea’s taste and color. For example, black tea is rolled and oxidized, giving it an amber, brown, or red hue along with a strong flavor. In contrast, green tea is steamed, which helps preserve its fresh green color and mild taste.

While tea doesn't have many vitamins or nutrients, but it's rich in phytochemicals (compounds that give plants their characteristics like colour and smell) and have pharmacological effects when we consume them. Tea's primary phytochemicals are caffeine and polyphenols.

"Green tea has more polyphenols than black tea, but black tea has more caffeine. And matcha is dried green tea that's ground into fine particles. It's more concentrated - higher in caffeine and polyphenols than plain green tea," says Dr Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition and professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Tea can be added to a low-calorie diet as it has no calories.

Some of the important minerals and nutrients found in many teas include: Flavonoids, catechins, polyphenols, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, zinc, calcium, fluoride etc. However, these are found in trace amounts, which may get lost in the process of boiling the tea leaves.

Benefits of Drinking Tea

Low Risk of Chronic Disease

Research suggests that tea's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (antioxidants fight free radicals, which damage cells) might help lower risks of chronic disease.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

"Several recent analyses have found that higher consumption of tea, especially black tea and green tea, are associated with reduced risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and early death," Dr. Hu says. "And some studies suggest that drinking tea might help reduce stress and improve mental health."

Helps Low Blood Pressure

Black tea helps increase blood pressure in older people who have low blood pressure after eating.

Lower Risk of Cancer

Green and black teas also contain important polyphenols associated with the healthy regulation of cancer cell growth and survival, leading to a lower risk of developing cancer.

More Focus and Alertness

Some studies have found that consuming caffeine available in some teas, in low doses and regularly, may contribute to better focus and alertness.

Side Effects of Drinking Tea

Moderation is the key when drinking tea. Having more than four cups or 900 ml tea per day could have some negative effects. According to Healthline.com, too much tea can hinder the iron absorption in your digestive tract as tannins in tea binds with iron.

Too much tea can also elevate stress and anxiety levels because of the caffeine present in both black and green tea. Over consumption of tea can also impact your sleep as caffeine inhibit melatonin (sleep hormone) production.

When taken in large amounts, the caffeine and tannins in teas may cause diarrhea and worsen abdominal pain. It may also worsen symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Many people have tea on an empty stomach, which can be harmful for some because it may cause acidity, heartburn, and nausea due to high levels of tannins and caffeine, which increase gastric acid. It is advisable to have tea after a light mean or snack.

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.