Tea, please.

Green tea has long been researched for its health-giving properties, but what can it really do for us?

Many people get bored with drinking water throughout the day. When clients ask me what they can do to switch it up… my first response is: Drink tea! Here’s why:

Given its widespread consumption, it’s hardly surprising that tea has been studied for its potentially health-giving properties. Tea originates from China around 2,000 years ago. Much of the early speculation was based on purely anecdotal reports but recent research indicates that tea (and especially green tea) really does seem to provide health benefits.

What is green tea?

All types of tea are made from the leaves of a plant called ‘Camellia Sinensis’. There are two main types of tea:

                  1. Non-fermented green tea, produced by drying and steaming the fresh leaves which prevents the oxidation or loss (via a process known as fermentation) of some of the key compounds in tea associated with health;

                  2. Fermented black (and red) tea, which undergoes a full post-harvest fermentation stage before drying and steaming. This fermentation leads to greatly increased oxidation and a subsequent reduction in the final concentration of some the key health-giving compounds described below.

Although both black and green tea have been researched for their health benefits, green tea contains significantly higher levels of naturally occurring powerful antioxidants called ‘flavenoids’. In green tea however, the main flavenoids are ‘catechins’ of which four are present in high concentrations.

The exact content and ratio of catechins depends on the way the tea is processed, but the important points are that first, it is these catechins that scientists now believe are the compounds responsible for the main health benefits of green tea, and second, all of these compounds are much more abundant in green tea than in black.

Simple Breakdown:

Green tea: Non-fermented – Retains more antioxidants, or catechins

Black tea: Fermented - Still good for you, with less antioxidants, or catechins

How can green tea affect our bodies for the better?

• Studies have shown that 1-6 cups of green tea per day can increase the antioxidant capacity of the bloodstream and reduce the damage to cell lipids and DNA
• Regular green tea consumption is also believed to enhance cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Some studies have indicated that the combination of green tea catechins and caffeine (found in all types of tea) produces a ‘thermogenic effect’, boosting the rate at which calories are burned at rest and also increasing the rate of fat oxidation
• In one study, after 12 weeks, those subjects consuming green tea daily lost significantly more abdominal fat compared to the control group. This is important because it’s abdominal fat that is particularly associated with increased health risks such as heart disease in overweight people.

While green tea has been a lifelong favorite, I am becoming extrememly interested in the newer Kombucha tea.

Kombucha actually comes from a mushroom. It is fermented and made into a differenty type of tea providing high levels of vitamin C, B vitamins and probiotics (healthy bacteria). Probiotics may help with digestion and offer protection from harmful bacteria, just as the existing "good" bacteria in your body already do. Kombucha tea altogether is made by fermenting tea and sugar with a kombucha culture.

Although more research is needed, there's encouraging evidence that probiotics may help:

-Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics

-Treat irritable bowel syndrome

-Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections

-Prevent and treat eczema in children

-Prevent or reduce the severity of colds & flu

Tip: Green, Black, Red teas (hot or iced) are found at many restaurants. Buddha's Brew Kombucha tea can be found on tap at Whole Foods in Austin, WF @ Kirby in Houston, and WF @Parklane in Dallas. It is also on tap at Whip In in Austin & Company Café in Dallas.

So there you have it. Many different types of tea. Many different major health benefits for your body!