The great British cup of tea… I have to admit as I sit here cup in hand, I am slightly addicted. Meeting up with my with my girl friends at the local coffee shop on a Friday morning wouldn’t be right for me without my nice cup of tea. In recent years coffee has made an increasing dent in the British cuppa and around our table each Firday morning I am often the only one with a tea where latte, hot chocolate and cappuccino reign.
My relationship with tea is beccoming rather love/ hate recently.
It all started one Saturday morning, which is dancing morning in our house. As we live closest to the hall the mums all pop back for a cuppa while the kids are in class. It’s a win win, they get to dance, we get to chat and drink tea. So I pop on the kettle and make our drinks and while chatting I carry a couple of cups through to the front room. Big mistake, before I even have time to react I’m down, face planting the floor. You’d actually be suprised how far a cup of tea actulally goes when catapulted through the air!
In my house I’ve already ditched the kettle in favour of hot water plumbed in as wrist dislocations were becomming commonplace. However I didn’t expect the wrist dislocation in Costa while I was sat happily minding my own business. It caused me to spill almost my whole cuppa and scold myself in the process. A switch away from a traditional tea cup to a take away cup was all that was needed, now I can use two hands and avoid getting wet!
When my dysautonomia symptoms are flaring a cup of tea can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand it can be a little pick me up when my energy levels are waining but of the other the caffine can also send my heart racing and a cuppa before bed is a definate no no as it can stop me from sleeping. Decaf tea just doesnt hit the spot.
But you can’t deny the satisfying hug of a warm cup of tea at the end of a long day or the problems that can be solved by simply popping on the kettle and having a chat. The British have known for years that tea is the very lifeblood of our nation, but I’m suprised to learn the that this fact now seems to be rooted in science. Studies have shown that tea can offer more than a simple caffine fix with tremendous health benefits, all the more reason to keep drinking it I say. So here are my top 10 reasons to drink tea every day.
Tea can potentially improve the blood flow in the body, by widening arteries and reducing the risk of clots. It also contains antioxidants called ‘flavonoids’, which may slow down the onset and risk of heart disease.
#2 Tea hydrates your body
Although water is the first choice to rehydrate the body, drinking a cup of tea may be another good option health-wise. Being rich in caffeine, tea provides you a rich and flavoursome source of water along with a wide range of nutrients.
#3 Tea prevents tooth decay
Believe it or not, a regular supply of tea can really strengthen your teeth and lower the risk of tooth decay. Tea is a great source of fluoride, which can bolster tooth enamel. The antioxidants contained within a cuppa have also been known to fight against bacteria and gum disease.
#4 Tea can make you slim
Some scientific studies have suggested that regular intake of tea (especially in the morning and before lunch) complements your weight loss goal. A cup of tea prevents you from putting on weight along with speeding up the burning of calories. If nothing else, it is less fattening than sipping on a soft drink.
#5 Tea boosts your memory power
Extensive research has shown that the combination of caffeine and L-Theanine, a naturally-occurring amino acid found in tea, improves reaction time and memory, while increasing focus and concentration.
To stay sharp, even as you age, drink tea, as it is thought to lower the risk of dementia by acting through multiple pathways, including those of nerve synapses and blood sugar regulation. Many scientists believe that certain types of tea such as green tea, can strengthen the function of memory cells in the brain. No wonder why our parents and grandparents used to drink so much tea!
#7 Tea protects against cancer
Some recent studies have recently suggested that tea drinking could lower your chances of suffering from cancer. Several reports indicate that prostate, mouth and breast cancer cases are much lower amongst those who regularly drink five or more cups of tea a day as compared to people who do not drink tea. Although research in this regard is just coming into existence, the anti-cancer property is attributed to the presence of antioxidants in tea.
#8 Tea may help lower inflammation
Active compounds in tea can help to lower levels of inflammation and inflammatory reactions. As we well know inflammation is connected to almost every modern ailment, including arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and depression. Inflammation can also cause you to retain water and look puffy, so a few cups of tea can help you look and feel thinner.
#9 Tea is an anti-allergen
A Japanese study has found that the tea polyphenol, EGCG, may be helpful for reducing pollen allergies. Tea may also reduce allergic response through quercetin, a flavonol naturally-occurring in tea, which is known to mitigate histamine response. Which may be great for those with Mast Cell issues.
#10 Tea may improve your overall health
Tea drinkers tend to be healthier, which is proven in research too, as tea drinking correlates with better health outcomes. You can support your health, including your skin and body composition, with as few as 2-3 cups per day of this calorie-free drink. Just dont add sugar!
What is your little pick me up? Does tea hit the spot for you?
