The Health Benefits of Tea

Tea, the second most consumed beverage in the world after water, is not only popular but also a healthy drink. It contains significantly less caffeine than coffee and is rich in antioxidants.

What Are Free Radicals?

To understand antioxidants and their function, we need to know what free radicals are. Free radicals are molecules that typically contain an oxygen atom missing an electron, making them unstable (reactive). They aggressively seek electrons from neighboring molecules, becoming harmful agents within the body. They can attack DNA, leading to dysfunction, mutation, and cancer. They may also disrupt cellular activity by targeting enzymes and proteins. When this damage occurs in the membranes of blood vessel cells, it can lead to artery hardening, thickening, and eventually heart attacks and strokes. Free radicals attacking collagen proteins result in cross-links between protein molecules, causing stiffness in tissues.

How Do Antioxidants Combat Free Radicals?

Antioxidants essentially prevent oxidation. Oxidation in the body refers to the degradation of cell membranes, fats, proteins, and DNA structure. By removing the conditions that allow free radicals to form, antioxidants play a vital role in maintaining health.

While our metabolism fights free radicals resulting from urban lifestyle and dietary habits, it needs support. Consuming foods and beverages rich in antioxidants helps enhance the body’s ability to combat free radicals.

Antioxidants in Tea

All tea varieties come from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis. The differences in color and flavor are achieved during production. Black tea is fermented, green tea is not, and oolong tea is partially fermented. The antioxidants found in the tea plant are flavonoids.

Catechins and Theaflavins

Catechins are a type of flavonoid found in tea. Green tea contains six types of catechins: catechin, gallocatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and the most important, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg or EGCG).

During the fermentation process of black and oolong teas, catechins transform into theaflavins, which also possess antioxidant properties.

In Summary

Tea is one of the most democratic, mystical, and beneficial beverages in the world. It nourishes both your health and your soul. All you need is good tea, brewed well, shared with good company.

Warm regards,
Lazika