This Sunday, May 21, is celebrated the world tea dayan anniversary that was declared by the United Nations in 2019 to promote the production and consumption of this drink that, to this day, is the most consumed in the world… only after water.
However, in countries where there is a great tradition of drinking tea, such as China, India or Japan, this date has already been marked on the calendar since 2005.
True teas are made from the leaves of the plant. camellia sinensis and differences in flavor and color depend on how the leaves are rolled, crushed, and exposed to air before drying.
Herbal teas, such as chamomile or ginger, are technically tisanes, or infusions of herbs and spices.
Even in the world’s hottest countries, millions of people swear that a cup of steaming tea is just what they need to cool down.
And although it may seem contradictory, science supports his statement: hot drinks cool the body much more than cold ones. The only condition is that the ambient air is dry enough to evaporate the sweat.
But in addition to this characteristic, the numerous investigations that have been done on its health benefits suggest that they are abundant and very varied.
They specify them especially in that they reduce the risk of these diseases:
What is the healthiest type of tea?
Nutritionists believe that the answer is very simple: All of them.
Whether it is black tea, green tea, red tea or the highly valued white tea, this drink helps us increase the intake of plant compounds that are always highly recommended to fight diseases.
And it also has no calories!
According to a study by nutrition professor at (near Boston) Jeffrey Blumberg:
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“In the United States, tea drinkers have the highest intake of flavonoids. And they get them in a simple way, enjoying a tasty, aromatic and healthy drink.”
What are the flavonoids?
In case anyone doesn’t know, they are a group of plant chemicals (phytonutrients) found in many fruits, vegetables, and spices. There are up to 6,000 types and they are partly responsible for the intense colors of fruits and vegetables.
But when it comes to our health, they are important because they are powerful antioxidants, with anti-inflammatory properties that support the immune system.
And in addition, they have historically been used in traditional Chinese medicine for skin protection, improving brain function, and regulating blood pressure and blood sugar.
In research on diet in Denmark, which involved 53,048 Danes over 23 years, they found that people who regularly consumed moderate to high amounts of foods rich in flavonoids they were less likely to die of or heart disease.
How much tea should we drink each day?
There are nutritionists who consider that tea could even replace wine as an accompaniment to meals. And in some parts of the world it really is.
But in our country it is not an easy goal to achieve, and the truth is that there is no standard recommendation for how much tea we should drink each day.
Some nutritionists consider that it is advisable to drink 2 to 3 cups a day to notice its benefits. But most of them just say that drinking tea is a good thing and that we should do it regularly, within reason.
And which variety is most recommended? Below we analyze them one by one, how they are made and the advantages they have.
White tea. Does it rejuvenate?
As elaborated: The first thing to say about this type of tea is that it is the most expensive of all because it is made only with the tender stems of the highest part of the plant. This is why they are the youngest shoots and are quickly cooked and dried after picking, to inactivate the enzymes that cause browning (change to brown color).
Benefits: The first thing that can be said is that it has so little protein that it can be drunk all day, even at night, unless someone is very sensitive to changes in .
It is also considered a particularly relaxing tea.
It has great antioxidant power that allows it to neutralize the oxidation caused by free radicals, which could help delay the first signs of .
Additionally, white teas contain the highest amount of catechins, a type of flavonoid that can help keep blood vessels open and help the body break down fat.
Green tea lose weight?
As elaborated: the fresh leaves are picked and steamed immediately so that they retain their green color. (Oolong tea, which falls somewhere between a green tea and a black tea, is briefly exposed to oxygen before being steamed.)
Benefits: Green tea is a good source of plant compounds called catechins, most of which are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been found in studies to lower (bad) LDL. And it can also help counteract inflammation in the body.
According to research from Purdue University (Wisconsin), if you like lemon, squeezing a slice over green tea can help its beneficial compounds survive digestion.
There has been some concern that a high intake of catechins may cause liver damage.
But recently, a report on the safety of green tea catechins was published. And in his conclusions he states that as a drink they are generally safe, even for those who drink a lot of green tea.
However, the same criteria does not apply to green tea extract supplements, so “vaunted” as ideal for weight loss.
Some studies directly link them to liver damage, although the EFSA experts found no evidence of liver damage for doses below 800 mg.
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