The Top 4 Healthy Teas You Should Be Taking
Variety makes all aspects of our life beautiful, including the types of tea we ingest. There are literally thousands, if not millions, of different types of tea, meaning your favorite cup of tea is out there if you haven't found one!
Regardless of whether you want to buy detox green tea or metabolism tea, there is a tea that will perfectly meet your needs and desires. Such diversity can be confusing, especially if decision making is not one of your strengths.
With so many varieties, how do you choose the best one?
That's why we're here!
In this article we are going to highlight the most beneficial teas and in the end you will be in a place to choose the best one for you.
Let's start the party!
The 4 top teas
As already mentioned, there are innumerable types of tea. However, all legitimate ones are made from the same plant: the Camellia sinensis.
The real teas are black tea, white tea, green tea, and oolong tea. The rest are just herbal elixirs with herbal compounds. How is it that we can get so many different types of tea from the same plant?
It all boils down to the growing, harvesting, and preparation process that each type is exposed to, the main actor being oxidation. Oxidation is the process by which leaves are crushed and exposed to oxygen.
Plants, of course, have an antioxidant molecule that prevents oxidation. This exposure allows the leaves to absorb oxygen and change their chemical structure. This process changes its aroma, chemical composition and taste.
In order to obtain a wide variety of teas, the oxidation process is intentionally started, controlled and stopped, while others are not subjected to oxidation all together.
This allows companies to make abdominal cleansing tea, metabolism boosting tea, lean belly tea, and so many other teas.
That being said, each type of tea has its advantages.
1. White tea
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This is a tea that has been the least oxidized and processed. It is made from very young leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are gently steamed and dried to stop the oxidation process.
Due to the minimal processing, white tea is known to have a higher antioxidant power compared to the rest of the teas.
It has slight sweetness, light color and mild taste. If bold flavors aren't your type, this is the tea.
Its benefits include its anti-cancer properties, increased weight loss, and improved oral health. Because of its ability to lower LDL cholesterol, white tea helps with diabetes and strengthens immune functions.
2. Green tea
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The health benefits of green tea have made it a popular choice these days. Green tea is subject to minimal oxidation and, like white tea, its processing is not as intensive as that of oolong and black tea.
Green tea is one of the best detox teas on the market. The leaves are quickly preserved after the harvest. Heat is then used deliberately to stop the oxidation, resulting in a freshly picked taste and green color.
Like white tea, green tea contains an incredible amount of catechins. It has an older, more grassy taste, so its common adjectives are bittersweet, floral, buttery, swampy, and oceanic. Its caffeine content is higher than that of white tea.
Green tea benefits include weight loss as it increases metabolism, reduces risk of stroke, and improves skin tone.
3. Black tea
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This is a classic that is the most consumed of all types of tea. Once crushed, the leaves can begin their natural oxidation process until they are completely oxidized to give them a dark brown or black appearance.
Its usual flavors are nutty, smoky, malty, citrus, caramel, and spicy. Its caffeine content is also significantly higher, making it a great option for the habitual coffee drinker.
Black tea helps in lowering blood pressure due to its antioxidant properties that lower cholesterol levels. Other benefits include improved blood circulation and resolved digestive problems such as diarrhea.
4. Oolong Weight Loss Tea
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Although oolong tea is unpopular, it has its health benefits. It is full-bodied tea that is rich in vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and polyphenol antioxidants.
The leaves are picked exactly after their peak and have a very characteristic shape. Its taste ranges from grassy to toasty sweet and is not as strong as black or as light as green tea. One can easily pick a note of fresh flowers and fruits on his taste.
One of the major health benefits of oolong tea for weight loss is its ability to help people lose weight or maintain their weight. The polyphenols it contains activate thermogenesis, which turns your body into a fat-burning machine. It also strengthens, stabilizes blood sugar and improves intestinal health.
It's tea time!
Now that you know the four most important types of tea, it's time to enjoy a cup of this delightful, botanical drink that is so calming, delicious, and offers a wide range of health benefits.
Each of the highlighted teas have notable benefits for your body, both inside and out. This means that whatever tea you choose, whether white, black, green or oolong, it's a win!
You can never lose with tea. It tastes great and is beneficial to your body at the same time, which makes it a win-win!
So when choosing which tea to use, consider its caffeine content, taste, and health benefits. Once you've narrowed it down, make a habit of drinking your tea when you relax or when you start the day.
About the author:
Shiraz Kahn is an experienced author and researcher who has been developing and implementing successful digital marketing strategies for companies for more than 18 years.
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