There are many health benefits of hot tea. It’s not just for looking super fancy, though you do when you drink it. Just saying.
Regardless of whether it’s green, black, or herbal, sipping on a cup of tea is one of those simple pleasures that warms the soul. You may have not known that there are several health benefits of hot tea.
We’re going to spill the tea (we had to) on the exciting health advantages, but also the unique tips on how to prepare the perfect cup of tea to maximize those health-promoting properties.
What are the Top 10 Health Benefits of Hot Tea
Tea drinking is most associated with being a little fancy. Let’s set the scene. Lady Crawley sits in the parlor with Lady Mary, dishing on all the latest hot gossip around Downton. What are they drinking? Hot tea is in those adorable tea cups, of course.
While they are reading tea leaves, they are looking fab in their fanciest dresses.
Here’s the thing. It doesn’t have to be like that. It truly can be sitting in your coziest chair, sipping herbal tea from your favorite cup or mug. Drink tea, and enjoy it, but let’s dig into why tea drinkers benefit from each sip.
1. Drink Hot Tea Aids in Digestion
One of the most well-known benefits of hot tea is aiding in digestion. Tea, especially black tea, contains phenolic compounds that are thought to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. So, the next time you’re experiencing tummy troubles, reach for a cup of hot tea.
A wonderful tea we recommend here is the Williamsburg Ginger Cake Tea.
2. Drinking Hot Tea Boosts Immunity
Hot tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants that help boost your immunity and prevent diseases. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, drinking tea regularly increases your resistance to infections. There are a plethora of studies in other journals though, all discussing the many other health benefits that we are sharing.
3. Hot Team has a Calming Effect
The ritual of preparing and drinking a cup of tea can have a calming effect on your mind and body. The amino acid L-theanine present in tea is known to reduce stress levels and improve overall cognitive function.
4. Drinking Hot Tea Helps to Strengthen Bones
Drinking tea regularly can help strengthen your bones due to the presence of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and fluoride. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that tea consumption had a positive effect on bone density.
5. Hot Tea Helps to Lower Blood Pressure
Regularly sipping hot tea can help lower your blood pressure. Certain compounds present in tea help improve blood circulation and relax the blood vessels, leading to a decrease in blood pressure levels.
6. Hot Tea Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
Studies have shown that consistent tea drinkers have a reduced risk of heart attack at the rate of 10-20% including the risk of stroke. Green tea and black tea are the real heroes for this one.
7. Drinking Hot Tea May Help with Weight Loss
Since tea contains a flavonoid called catechins, it can help break down fat. Also, caffeinated teas help your metabolism, hence more energy and you move more, all leading to weight reduction.
8. Hot Tea and Breast Cancer
So, we were shooketh when we heard that drinking alcohol can lead to a higher risk of breast cancer. The good news for this one is a study showed that women who drink tea had a 37% less chance of developing breast cancer compared to those who do not drink tea. That makes me (shannon) very happy when I am drinking my Earl Grey tea.
9. Your Brain Can Benefit from Drinking Hot Tea
Drinking black tea is believed to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and depression, and reduce cognitive decline. We’re not doctors, but we do know that it is great for our mental health as there is something about the ritual of drinking tea that allows for meditation and mindfulness moments.
10. Your Eyes May Benefit from Drinking Tea
Drinking hot tea has been shown in studies to reduce the instances of glaucoma. It is believed that the flavonoids found in true tea contribute to this awesome benefit.
Who Should Not Drink Hot Tea?
Hot tea isn’t the perfect sipping drink for everyone. The National Institute for Health showcased a study where some people who drank hot tea had a significantly increased risk of Esophageal cancer. There is some evidence that a hot drink can be harmful to your throat.
Also, since tea beverages are usually a mixture of boiling water and infused with tea leaves, there is a potential for damage to the inside of the mouth.
Those who have adverse reactions to caffeine or their nervous system. Too much caffeine can make some people anxious. There are teas with less caffeine than others, as well as some that have a minute amount of caffeine in them.
The Best Types of Tea for Your Health
It may be difficult to decipher what the best tea is for you should drink. There are so many traditional teas, and different teas from various areas of the world, that it can be confusing. We are sharing the best teas, and for each, the health benefits of tea. We’re dropping the knowledge on this.
1. True Teas
This tea is called “True” tea because they are brewed from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. Meaning, it is the real deal! There are six types of leaves that are in the true tea category: white, green, yellow, oolong, and black. Earl Grey is a black tea, therefore a cup of black tea has unique health benefits like healthy digestion and reduced blood pressure.
2. Herbal Teas
Teas in this category are not of the true category. These teas are infused with herbs such as chamomile, fennel, sage, raspberry leaf, lemon, rosehip, cinnamon, rose, and lavender. Depending on what herb type of tea you are drinking, is what benefit you may receive. Some have a protective effect on the heart, but some, in high quantities, may have an adverse effect.
We love Harney and Sons Decaf Hot Cinnamon tea.
3. Oolong Tea
Oolong is in the true teas category, we want to point out that while it is the least drank of the teas around the world, it has many health benefits. We enjoy Organic Whole Leaf Oolong tea.
4. Green tea
No surprise, green tea is great for all of the reasons we mentioned in this blog post, but also for oral health.
5. White tea
Rarely do you hear about white tea. It is the least consumed and the most expensive to produce. It is believed that it helps with antiaging of the body, and antioxidants that help the immune system.
Have Yourself a Cup of Tea
Hot tea is not only a comforting beverage but also a source of several health benefits. We love to learn about all of the benefits of the things that we consume. Bonus, when the consumables are benefits and not bad for you.
From aiding in digestion to boosting your immunity, regularly drinking tea can be a simple yet effective way to improve your overall health.
Please note, that we are not doctors, nor are we the ones to provide medical advice. This content is simply to point out what studies have shown. Please consult your physician about any reduced risk or increased risk you may have to certain foods and drinks. For more information, please review our terms and conditions.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is technically a green tea. What sets it apart is the way it’s grown, processed, and prepared. The whole tea leaves are ground into a fine powder, and when you whisk it up, you’re not just steeping the leaves; you’re consuming the entire powdered leaf.
One is not better than the other, but depending on what you are looking for, one may be better for you. If you crave a milder flavor with a potential antioxidant punch, green tea might be your go-to. If you’re into a bolder taste and the potential benefits of a different set of antioxidants, black tea could be your cup of, well, tea.
Chai tea alone has many health benefits. Chai lattes are not the best for you since they have a lot of milk and sugar in them. While they are yummy, we wouldn’t necessarily say they have health benefits.
