One thing that Christmas brings with it every year is cold weather. The positive side of this is that it gives you the opportunity to try some new hot beverages. Whilst hot chocolate and mulled wine are popular festive choices, today I am going to be looking at the more traditional hot drink tea. Tea has numerous health benefits and also contains zero calories which means it can help prevent you from piling on the Christmas pounds. Below I will be discussing 5 healthy teas that you can try this Christmas.
1) BLACK TEA:- Black tea is the most popular form of tea. In fact I know very few people who do not drink this hot beverage. Black tea is not just popular, it is also very good for you. The health benefits of black tea include:
– Preventing certain types of cancer (including breast cancer, prostate cancer and stomach cancer).
– Preventing cystitis (a type of bladder infection).
– Preventing diarrhea.
– Preventing heart disease.
– Preventing pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs).
– Preventing skin infections.
– Preventing tooth decay.
– Reducing inflammation in the body.
2) GREEN TEA:- Green tea has started to get an increased amount of publicity in recent years due to its supposed cancer fighting properties. The grassy taste does take some getting used to and is not for everyone. However, I find it is quite a refreshing alternative to black tea and drink a few cups every day. The health benefits of green tea include:
– Preventing certain types of cancer (including bladder cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and stomach cancer).
– Preventing arthritis.
– Preventing heart disease.
– Preventing dental cavities (holes in the teeth caused by decay).
– Protecting the liver from toxins.
3) HERBAL TEA:- Although they are brewed and drank in the same way as other types of tea, herbal teas are not technically teas. Traditional teas (such as black, green and white) come from the Camellia Sinensis bush. Herbal teas come from many different sources such as flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds and tree bark and are actually herbal infusions. They come in a variety of flavours so you can experiment with a few until you find one that you like. The health benefits of herbal tea depend on the type consumed. For example, chamomile tea is known for having a relaxing, sedative effect and also soothes digestive and stomach problems. Peppermint tea has been shown to aid digestion and reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Some of the other main herbal tea health benefits include:
– Boosting the immune system.
– Increasing energy levels.
– Promoting red blood cell production.
– Promoting heart health.
– Promoting good mental health.
– Reducing inflammation in the body.
– Relieving the symptoms of arthritis.
– Removing toxins from the body.
– Supporting the absorption of natural fluids.
4) ROOIBOS (RED BUSH) TEA:- Like herbal teas, rooibos (or red bush) tea is also not technically a tea – it is a herbal infusion. I have drank Rooibos tea a few times and whilst I prefer the taste of traditional teas (black, green and white) it is still a nice alternative to have once in a while. It tastes very similar to black tea but is much sweeter. The health benefits of rooibos tea include:
– Boosting the immune system.
– Preventing constipation.
– Preventing nausea.
– Relieving the symptoms of heartburn.
– Supporting digestion.
5) WHITE TEA:- White tea has not received nearly as much publicity as green tea until very recently. However, it is thought to be the healthiest of all teas. White tea tastes similar to green tea but it is a stronger, less grassy and more bitter taste. The health benefits of white tea include:
– Boosting the immune system.
– Preventing certain types of cancer (including colon cancer, prostate cancer and stomach cancer).
– Promoting increased bone density.
– Protecting the body’s cells from oxygen related damage (as an antioxidant).
– Reducing blood glucose levels (which can be of particular benefit for people suffering from diabetes).
– Reducing blood pressure.
– Reducing dental cavities.
So next time you feel a little chilly and reach for the hot chocolate why not give one of the above teas a try instead? A cup of hot chocolate contains 190 calories on average and does not offer half the health benefits that these teas provide. These healthy teas will keep you just as warm during the festive period, will not add any additional calories and most importantly will boost your overall health.
Sources:
Calories in Hot Chocolate (Anne Collins Weight Loss Program)
The Colour of Tea
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