Health Benefits of Drinking Tea

Drinking tea is not only delicious, but did you know that it’s also good for your health? Below, Dr. Ali Ghahary shares information on its many benefits!

One great thing about drinking tea is that it contains many antioxidants. Although the human body does produce antioxidants on its own, it never hurts to get a little extra. Consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants as well as drinking tea can not only decrease your risk of developing infections, but can also help ward off serious disease as well as certain forms of cancer – including colorectal, pancreatic, breast and lung cancer.

While tea does contain a certain amount of caffeine, its caffeine content is as much as 50% lower than what’s found in a cup of coffee. As caffeine can keep you awake, you’re more likely have a better night’s sleep by drinking tea. If you want to avoid caffeine in your tea all-together and are looking for a more natural sleep aid, try drinking chamomile tea. It’s naturally caffeine-free and tastes great. Speaking of chamomile tea, it’s also considered an antispasmodic, which means it’s also great for those with digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome – also known as IBS.

Recent studies have also suggested that drinking tea – green tea, in particular – has been shown to prevent bone loss. This can be especially beneficial information for women over the age of 50 and men over the age of 50, as those are the typical ages when your bones tend to become weaker and can result in things like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Drinking tea can be one of many lifestyle habits in helping prevent bone loss.

If you are prone to developing colds or the flu, you’ll also want to strongly consider drinking tea as it can give the immune system a much-needed boost as well as enhances the body’s defense system against infections. Tea is also great to drink if you’re suffering from a sore throat, as it can be soothing.

For more information on what makes tea so healthy, visit the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada at www.tea.ca.