I talk about the health benefits of certain herbs pretty often, but what about the actual tea bush (Camellia sinensis)? The tea leaf itself is a very powerful herb and tool to use for supporting a healthy lifestyle. More and more studies hit the news monthly about how healthy tea is. However, it’s important to understand that not all teas are equal! 

First off, quality is one of the most important factors to look at if tea is going to be incorporated into the diet for health reasons. A box of 50 bags for $5 is not going to be the solution, and actually may cause more harm than good! For best results, reach for a consciously-sourced, fresh, hand-picked loose tea. It is going to contain higher levels of essential oil in the leaf, which is what carries all the phytochemicals that make tea healthy (not to mention a much richer flavor experience).

Secondly, quantity. Once you have a fresh, high-quality loose leaf in hand, it is best to drink about 3-5 cups per day to get maximum health benefits. One cup is great for enjoyment, but you more than likely won’t see a huge impact from just one.

So once you establish a routine of 3-5 cups of great loose tea a day, what can tea do for you? As I mentioned, more studies are coming out all the time, and the list of benefits just keeps growing. Green tea usually gets the most press in the headlines; however, since green, black, white and oolong teas come from the same plant, they all can be beneficial for health.

Some of the most commonly known benefits of tea are:

• Great source of antioxidants
• Balancing cholesterol
• Balancing blood pressure
• Boosting metabolism
• Supporting the immune system
• Good source of hydration

There are also other benefits that are getting more attention now:

• Balancing blood sugar levels
• Reducing plaque build up in the arteries
• Helping reduce plaque build up in the brain
• Good for oral hygiene
• Stimulating the endocrine system
• Helping reduce gallstones and kidney stones

I’m sure a year from now there will be more to add to this list, as tea is a very hot topic in the health industry. Tea can be much more than just a stimulating morning cuppa, it’s one of the healthiest beverages you can drink!

Consuming caffeine is undoubtedly the most popular way to jump start our day, get a boost of energy, and even sustain ourselves throughout. Many of our customers seek out tea as an alternative to coffee. Often times it is because the caffeine in coffee can be too strong and create nervous issues. Sometimes they just want to reduce their coffee consumption and have a replacement for an afternoon pick-me-up. So why can some people not handle the caffeine from coffee but are just fine with tea? 

In general, tea has about half the amount of caffeine than what’s in coffee; however, what most do not realize is that all caffeines are not created equal. There are many phytochemicals classified as caffeine. Those who drink both coffee and tea can usually tell they feel a bit different when drinking one or the other.

In coffee there are five different phytochemicals classified as caffeine. All five of those phytochemicals affect your nervous system and can cause jitters, nausea and racing heart. The specific caffeines in coffee metabolize very quickly in the body; coffee generally gives a rapid spike in energy followed by a heavy crash as it burns off.

Tea (camellia sinensis) on the other hand has three phytochemicals classified as caffeines, and they support and stimulate the endocrine system. Those three phytochemicals in tea stimulate the adrenal gland, adenoids and thyroid, which is one way tea helps increase metabolism. This is also why tea has a mood elevating effect as it wakes your body up. The caffeine in tea is buffered by theanine which metabolizes the caffeine much slower and evenly in the body, resulting in a longer, sustained energy level.

The beverage you choose can produce different results, so the next time you think you need a caffeine boost, decide whether you want a fast ride or a gentle enhancing of your energy with some great health benefits to boot.

Photo courtesy of Maxine Moore, Side Hustle Stories Photography (http://www.sidehustlestories.net)