While we are enjoying warmer weather here in the Southern Hemisphere, it turns out that January is #HotTeaMonth. But the heat doesn’t put us off this scrumptious brew – on the contrary, South Africans will brew it cold if we have to! In fact, some of us prefer an iced tea drink no matter the weather: refreshment at its purest, barring water. Anyway, thus began our inves-tea-gation which is when we discovered that tea actually holds the key to a healthier lifestyle. And of course, sharing knowledge is what we do best… so please enjoy some of our findings below.
Figure 1: "red liquid with ice and plant" by Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash
Let's start with the heart
Recent studies have shown that coffee might not be as problematic as experts once thought. Nevertheless, research on tea and heart health is growing and some studies have found that there can be as much as a 20 percent reduction in heart attack risk among people who drink up to three cups of regular green tea per day. Light and aromatic tea can lower LDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides, which could explain tea's association with reduced risk of death from heart disease and even stroke. The data remains limited but evidence is growing and experts confirm that a few cups a day (everything in moderation) may indeed improve your cardiovascular health.
Tea and your teeth
Say, “Cheese!” or say, “Teas!”
because Japanese researchers assert that drinking tea may decrease tooth loss. The
pH in your mouth changes when you drink tea which then prevents cavities from
forming. In addition, tea does not erode the enamel on your teeth. And tea
remains a decent alternative to soft drinks when it comes to your oral (and
overall) health!
A kick with less caffeine
Speaking of beverage alternatives,
herbal tea blends contain no caffeine at all and more traditional teas tend to
have about 50 percent less caffeine than the amount found in coffees. It is
advisable to learn more about the characteristics of the different types of
teas so that if you start drinking them for their health benefits, you do so
with purpose. For instance there is a lot of information out there including
highly-acclaimed books on the sorts of teas that one finds, and what they do to
your body. Culinary Herbs & Spices of the World
by Ben-Erik van Wyk is a comprehensive guide to natural flavourings from all
over the globe which lists the different types of tea that one finds: green tea
(or unfermented), oolong tea (which is semi-fermented) and black tea (this tea
is fully fermented). Sample them all, research their perks, and drink to
cure!
Figure 2:
By Ieva Vizule on Unsplash
Some teas that are specifically
considered to be coffee substitutes, like chicory root tea and even chai, taste
a lot like coffee and are known to reduce stress and improve gut health – it’s
a natural probiotic. This tea tends to give you that kick you need but without
caffeine and all its negative side-effects.
Rooibos is boss
Rooibos tea has plant compounds
with cancer-fighting properties. Flavourful and, again, caffeine-free, this tea
made with leaves from a Aspalathus
linearis shrub grown on South Africa’s western coast, is full of
antioxidants and even has anti-diabetic effects. Rooibos tea contains only about 2 to 4
calories meaning you can enjoy this beverage without packing on any pounds – or
accumulating extra kilos – assuming you don’t add too much sweetener (natural
or not).
Lastly, lavender
Margaret Roberts, South Africa’s beloved
doyenne of herbs, had “over 300 lavender varieties”, explains her daughter
Sandy Roberts. She grew so much lavender
that she ended up creating two of her own
Lavender varieties at the Herbal Centre in De Wildt. These are especially suited
for the hot South African climate, they flower all year – growing into large
bushes that attract bees and butterflies by the dozen – and, if you’re
searching, both are simply labelled Margaret
Roberts.
Importantly, tea-lovers will be
pleased to learn that lavender tea is used “to soothe stress and cure insomnia,”
says Sandy, “not to mention the delicious flavour that lavender adds to baked
goods like shortbread – which in turn pairs perfectly with your cup of lavender
tea!” For lavender recipes, consult
Roberts’, The Lavender Book and enjoy her
ideas, hints and tips detailing all things lavender.
Figure 3:
"person holding flowers" by rocknwool on Unsplash
In her book, Healing Foods, Roberts also summarises that green and black tea
contain calcium, magnesium, iron and fluoride;
green tea inhibits growth of cancer cells – particularly breast and
prostate cancer – and weak, black tea eases diarrhoea, upset tummies and
rumbling indigestion. Ultimately all the sources seem to point towards the same
thing: that tea really is the general antidote.
In sunshine or rain, let tea
tackle some of your pain this January and beyond. Besides, New Year is the
ideal time to be resolute about making better choices for your body and your
overall well-being. Sandy Roberts agrees
that you should “start the year with positivi[-tea], inspiration, health,
fragrance, flavour and beauty”. #HotTeaMonth
has us all on a natural high and with our pinkies in the air, we feel posh to
boot!
Comments
Post a Comment