Drinking tea does make me feel happy. Tea can be very satisfying, and its myriad tastes and scents are truly fit for a connoisseur, if you would like to be one.
The history of tea goes very, very far back in time. It was in 2737 BCE that tea was reportedly first discovered in China, by the mythical second emperor, Shen Nung, known as the Divine Healer.
It might seem that tea would have a tough time living up to its reputation as a healing tonic. A great deal of research has been done into the healthful properties of tea, especially green tea, because of the antioxidants it contains. Studies have examined the effects of EGCG (the antioxidant that occurs in green tea) on cancer, cholesterol, heart disease, rate of metabolism, and even gum health. The studies have indicated benefits, but there are not yet conclusive enough results to give tea the official stamp of approval. One product whose claims you should definitely discount is the Enviga sparkling green tea drink marketed by Coco-Cola and Nestle—save your money. If you are looking for a nice green tea bottled up and ready to go, pick one from Ito En. This company’s green tea beverages are sugar-free and just brewed. How much better can tea get, short of brewing it yourself?
Is the caffeine in tea different from the caffeine in coffee? Well, yes, the effects of coffee on your body are different, as is the amount of caffeine it contains. Coffee contains more caffeine, and this can affect the level of anxiety you experience—and therefore, the level of the stress hormone, cortisol, present in your body. Increasing levels of cortisol puts your body into a perpetually stressed state.
Some people believe a cup of coffee can be a good thing. A site called Positively Coffee lists coffee’s benefits. Do note that this site is sponsored by a pro-coffee organization promoting the world coffee economy. The purported benefits of coffee are contradicted by some health experts, but supported by others. One solution to this confusion may be in moderation: “a little might be good, but a lot is not better.” Another thing to consider is that the beneficial nutrients in coffee are its antioxidants and phytochemicals. Guess what. You can find these in tea, too, as well as in fruit and vegetables.
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