Every day, millions of consumers around the world wake up to a mug of steaming English breakfast, Darjeeling, or green tea. It’s a universal morning treat, an afternoon snack, and an after-dinner concoction—but little do many people know, this warming beverage provides many great health benefits as well.
The four main varietals of tea leaves—black, green, white, and oolong—all come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but their similarities stop there. After the tea leaves are plucked from the plant, black tea is made from an oxidation process, while green teas are not oxidized at all, but rather are withered in hot air, steamed, or pan-fried. Oolongs are partly oxidized, and white teas are made from immature tea leaves that are picked shortly before the buds have opened fully.
Green Tea
Green tea is the most well known for its health benefits. Varieties include gunpowder and dragonwell, which are popular Chinese teas, and sencha, matcha, and genmaicha, which are widely consumed Japanese green teas. All of these different types offer a wide range of advantages.
Cancer Prevention
Studies have shown that drinking antioxidant-rich green tea every day can reduce the risk of many types of cancer. The antioxidant epigallocatechin gallette, known as EGCG, is highly effective at not only inhibiting the formation of cancer cells, but also killing them.
Reduction of High Blood Pressure
Green tea reduces high blood pressure, and its polyphenol and polysaccharide antioxidants are particularly good at lowering blood sugar.
Immune System Boost
If you think you’re getting sick, green tea will energize you and boost your immune system. It also helps to destroy free radicals, which cause aging, and protects the liver against toxins.
Weight Loss Help
Green tea aids in weight loss by stimulating metabolism.
Antibacterial Protection
Green tea has antibacterial properties and inhibits the spread of disease.
Black Tea
Black tea is the most processed of all the tea types. Unlike green tea, black tea is fully fermented, or oxidized, which accounts for its rich flavor. There are many types of black teas, each associated with a different region of the world, including Assam, Darjeeling, Ceylon, English breakfast, and Earl Grey. Black tea provides two primary health benefits.
