Why Not . . . Drink Tea? Discover 10 Health Benefits (and a list of my favorite teas)
Wednesday May 14, 2014

This is your last free post view for this month.

Become a Member for as little as $4/mo and enjoy unlimited reading of TSLL blog.

“The art of tea, whichever way you drink it, or whichever country you are from, has one underlining thread for all of us. It is the cultivation of yourself as you follow the ceremony of preparing your tea, the way in which you make your tea, how and where you drink it, and with whom. Making a cup of tea creates a space for just being.” —Nicola Salter

While coffee may be American’s beverage of choice with the ubiquitous Starbucks and local coffee shops at every corner, it is tea that is the most consumed beverage following water around the world. Originating in China as a medicinal drink, Ireland interestingly enough holds the title as the highest number of tea drinkers per capita. And while Americans tend to prefer their tea cold (iced tea), there is nothing I enjoy more each morning than my steaming hot cup of Palais des Thes Blue of London earl gray tea.  The simple infusion of warmth with a hint of orange in the black tea base and my day is ready to begin.

I first began enjoying a regular cup of tea in the evening after having the opportunity to indulge in high tea in Victoria, Canada, at the Fairmont Empress Hotel a handful of years ago.  What captured my intrigue was the formality, the appreciation, the presentation and the conversation that the serving of the tea encouraged. Quite a memorable trip, if you haven’t had the chance to visit Victoria or a tea room at a renowned destination around the world, do put it on your travel list. Whether you will become a lover of tea as I did, I cannot say, but you will certainly have a most lovely experience.

And so, my curiosities with tea continued upon returning home on that fateful trip, and I couldn’t help but discover the many wonderful health benefits that come along with my new drink of choice.

1. Infused with Antioxidants

Similar to the protectant gloss over hardwood floors or sunscreen for the skin, antioxidants protect the body from the effects of pollution and aging prematurely. These antioxidants have also been proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as breast, colon, colorectal, skin, lung, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, ovarian, prostate, pancreas and oral cancers.

2. Strengthen Bones

Phytochemicals have the potential with an extended drinking of tea to strengthen bones. One study revealed after 10 years of observing those who drank green tea regularly compared to non-tea drinkers, that those who drank tea showed stronger bone density, even after age, exercise, body weight, smoking and other factors were taking into account.

3. Assist Memory

The polyphenols in green tea in some studies have been found to help maintain areas in the brain that involve learning and memory according to Time magazine.

4. Maintain Weight

In yet another study, regular drinkers of hot tea were found to have a lower waist circumference and a reduced BMI compared to non-tea drinkers.

5. A Reduction of Caffeine

If you enjoy your coffee in the morning to jolt you with caffeine, but dislike the negative effects of too much caffeine – jitters, inability to sleep or indigestion, tea may be the answer. With an average cup of coffee (8 ounces) containing approximately 135 mg of caffeine, a cup of tea only has 34-40 mg.

6. Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

A Netherlands study that spanned 5.6 years found a 70 percent lower risk of fatal heart attacks in people who drank at least two to three cups of black tea daily compared to non-tea drinkers. Researchers found drinking tea to assist in keeping arteries unclogged.

7. Protection from the Sun

Now don’t swap green tea entirely for sunscreen, but researchers have found regular drinking of green tea provides some protection from ultraviolet rays.

8. Decrease the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease

Drinking tea has been directly linked to lowering the risk of Parkinson’s Disease. In both men and women, even when considered alongside other factors such as age and physical activities, studies revealed a correlation to drinking tea.

9. Hydrates the Body

Contrary to the wide-spread myth that tea is dehydrating (due to it containing caffeine), a study done in 2006 by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition observed the body’s net fluid gain after drinking black tea, and found that indeed the body was more hydrated. Spread the word!

10. Increase Muscle Endurance

The catechins (antioxidants) found in green tea actually increase the body’s ability to burn fat as fuel which allows less protein to be expended, keeping you charging ahead longer.

Including a cup of tea in my daily routine has become a simple luxury that I look forward to each day. In fact, in 2011 I shared a few ways in detail how I enjoy in this petit plaisir. While I know we all have our preferences, just knowing that a morning, afternoon or evening cup of tea can be as healthy as it is enjoyable, is a lovely bit of knowledge to possess. Happy sipping!

A few of my favorite teas:

*Twinings, English Breakfast

Twiningsengbreakfast

*Montagne Bleue black tea (Palais des Thes)

Montagnebleuetea

~Yorkshire Gold, Black Tea

Yorkshiregoldblacktea

*Vert Provence green tea (Mariage Freres)

Mariagegreresvertprovence

*Second Flush Darjeeling Tea, I currently am enjoying F & M’s limited edition created in honor of King Charles III’s Coronation (purchase here on Amazon)

*Blue of London Earl Gray (Palais des Thes)

*Fortnum & Mason classic teas or shop Fortnum & Mason here

~And a new tea I’m eager to try – Paris Marais (black tea) from Mariage Fréres

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~18 Ways to Enjoy a Good Cuppa (British Week 2020)

~Why Not . . . Feed Your Body Well?

~Le Petit Plaisir: No. 11 . . . tea and chocolate

~Why Not . . . Cook with Olive Oil?

~Why Not . . . Learn How to Cook?

Images:  (1) (2)

“The art of tea, whichever way you drink it, or whichever country you are from, has one underlining thread for all of us. It is the cultivation of yourself as you follow the ceremony of preparing your tea, the way in which you make your tea, how and where you drink it, and with whom. Making a cup of tea creates a space for just being.” —Nicola Salter

While coffee may be American’s beverage of choice with the ubiquitous Starbucks and local coffee shops at every corner, it is tea that is the most consumed beverage following water around the world. Originating in China as a medicinal drink, Ireland interestingly enough holds the title as the highest number of tea drinkers per capita. And while Americans tend to prefer their tea cold (iced tea), there is nothing I enjoy more each morning than my steaming hot cup of Palais des Thes Blue of London earl gray tea.  The simple infusion of warmth with a hint of orange in the black tea base and my day is ready to begin.

I first began enjoying a regular cup of tea in the evening after having the opportunity to indulge in high tea in Victoria, Canada, at the Fairmont Empress Hotel a handful of years ago.  What captured my intrigue was the formality, the appreciation, the presentation and the conversation that the serving of the tea encouraged. Quite a memorable trip, if you haven’t had the chance to visit Victoria or a tea room at a renowned destination around the world, do put it on your travel list. Whether you will become a lover of tea as I did, I cannot say, but you will certainly have a most lovely experience.

And so, my curiosities with tea continued upon returning home on that fateful trip, and I couldn’t help but discover the many wonderful health benefits that come along with my new drink of choice.

1. Infused with Antioxidants

Similar to the protectant gloss over hardwood floors or sunscreen for the skin, antioxidants protect the body from the effects of pollution and aging prematurely. These antioxidants have also been proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as breast, colon, colorectal, skin, lung, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, ovarian, prostate, pancreas and oral cancers.

2. Strengthen Bones

Phytochemicals have the potential with an extended drinking of tea to strengthen bones. One study revealed after 10 years of observing those who drank green tea regularly compared to non-tea drinkers, that those who drank tea showed stronger bone density, even after age, exercise, body weight, smoking and other factors were taking into account.

3. Assist Memory

The polyphenols in green tea in some studies have been found to help maintain areas in the brain that involve learning and memory according to Time magazine.

4. Maintain Weight

In yet another study, regular drinkers of hot tea were found to have a lower waist circumference and a reduced BMI compared to non-tea drinkers.

5. A Reduction of Caffeine

If you enjoy your coffee in the morning to jolt you with caffeine, but dislike the negative effects of too much caffeine – jitters, inability to sleep or indigestion, tea may be the answer. With an average cup of coffee (8 ounces) containing approximately 135 mg of caffeine, a cup of tea only has 34-40 mg.

6. Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

A Netherlands study that spanned 5.6 years found a 70 percent lower risk of fatal heart attacks in people who drank at least two to three cups of black tea daily compared to non-tea drinkers. Researchers found drinking tea to assist in keeping arteries unclogged.

7. Protection from the Sun

Now don’t swap green tea entirely for sunscreen, but researchers have found regular drinking of green tea provides some protection from ultraviolet rays.

8. Decrease the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease

Drinking tea has been directly linked to lowering the risk of Parkinson’s Disease. In both men and women, even when considered alongside other factors such as age and physical activities, studies revealed a correlation to drinking tea.

9. Hydrates the Body

Contrary to the wide-spread myth that tea is dehydrating (due to it containing caffeine), a study done in 2006 by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition observed the body’s net fluid gain after drinking black tea, and found that indeed the body was more hydrated. Spread the word!

10. Increase Muscle Endurance

The catechins (antioxidants) found in green tea actually increase the body’s ability to burn fat as fuel which allows less protein to be expended, keeping you charging ahead longer.

Including a cup of tea in my daily routine has become a simple luxury that I look forward to each day. In fact, in 2011 I shared a few ways in detail how I enjoy in this petit plaisir. While I know we all have our preferences, just knowing that a morning, afternoon or evening cup of tea can be as healthy as it is enjoyable, is a lovely bit of knowledge to possess. Happy sipping!

~A few of my favorite teas:

*Blue of London Earl Gray (Palais des Thes)

*Montagne Bleue black tea (Palais des Thes)

*Vert Provence green tea (Mariage Freres)

*Fortnum & Mason classic teas or shop Fortnum & Mason here

~And a new tea I’m eager to try – Paris Marais (black tea) from Mariage Freres

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~18 Ways to Enjoy a Good Cuppa (British Week 2020)

~Why Not . . . Feed Your Body Well?

~Le Petit Plaisir: No. 11 . . . tea and chocolate

~Why Not . . . Cook with Olive Oil?

~Why Not . . . Learn How to Cook?

Images:  (1) (2)

Thesimplyluxuriouslife.com | The Simply Luxurious Life

11 thoughts on “Why Not . . . Drink Tea? Discover 10 Health Benefits (and a list of my favorite teas)

  1. As I read your post with a cup of Mariage Freres Earl Grey French Blue and a Lavender Macaron in hand, I had to smile. I made the switch from coffee to tea years ago due to my sensitivity to caffeine. Another advantage of being an avid tea drinker is that it makes gift giving occasions easy for my loved ones. I have received several delicious teas in lovely tins from around the world.

  2. Thank you for this post, Shannon. It’s wonderful to see how popular tea has become, and we need to keep that alive! I’d like to share a product that I love, the tea maker by Breville. It cost more than I’d normally spend on a gadget, but it has turned out to be an excellent value. It is beautifully designed, makes perfect tea, and I use it at least twice every day. And tea makes me happy, so that makes the tea maker a bargain.

  3. I would always take tea for coffee anytime. I only drink coffee on rare occasions when I’m desperate to stay awake but with tea I drink it at least twice daily. I usually drink tea after a big meal because it relieves me of that bloated feeling also I find it good for my digestion. I make it a point to have a cup of chamomile tea at night before bed time because it helps me get that good night sleep that I’m definitely not getting enough. It’s nice to know someone that is also a fan of drinking tea.

    Regards,
    Olivia Clark

  4. Harney & Sons black tea Paris is amazing. I have it every morning and it is absolutely the best tea I have ever had!

  5. Also a major tea afficianado, definitely appreciate this post.

    I can tell you have a very French-oriented tea preference – they’re so comforting (especially on rainy days, in my opinion) but if you haven’t already, you should try some types of tea that are favorites in Asian countries (some of my favorites as well). I think you’d find Lapsang Souchong and Genmaicha in particular to be really interesting flavors! Lapsang literally smells and tastes like a campfire…which sounds weird but is actually amazing. I always drink it in Autumn when I wish I had a fire to sit beside.

  6. I too am a tea lover. I have discovered a great tea shop at our local mall here in S. FL, where I have met an amazing group of women (another story for another time). But, I agree on Palais de The…The de Hamman is my favorite, first enjoyed at Maison Kayser in NYC. I also enjoy Paris by Harney. My favorite black tea is private label by Mohonk Mountain House in NYS Catskill Mountains. Whenever I drink it I am transported back to the Victorian Main Hotel, and their beautiful property dotted with wooden gazebos. And, yes, tea is served every afternoon!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

From TSLL Archives
Updated British Week 1.jpg
Updated French Week 2.jpg