We love tea here at Naturally Savvy and there are many amazing health benefits of tea. Depending on the type of tea, the benefits vary. Let's look at seven types of tea and what their benefits are.
Health Benefits of Black Tea
A humble cuppa black tea can improve oral health by reducing plaque and bacteria growth. It may also help prevent heart disease and stroke-a 2009 study found drinking three or more cups of green or black tea a day can lower risk of stroke by 21%. Black tea is also full of antioxidants that help prevent aging and protect us from free radicals. Another study found that long-term black tea drinking can reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes by 70%.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Like black tea, green tea is loaded with antioxidants. Green tea also provides a different type of caffeine boost, thanks to the presence of amino acid L-Theanine. The combination of this amino acid and caffeine has been found to improve mental alertness and focus. An analysis of research studies also found green tea can reduce breast cancer risk by 22%.
Matcha Tea Benefits
Matcha is a specific type of green tea produced in Japan that comes in powdered form. Matcha is an antioxidant superpower. One study found matcha has 137 times more available polyphenols than regular green tea. Studies have found a diet rich in polyphenols contribute to longevity and cancer prevention. Matcha is also extremely high in chlorophyll, which helps neutralize acidity in the body.
Try this DIY matcha latte recipe
White Tea
The next time you get hit with a cold or flu, reach for a bag of white tea. A study at Pace University in New York found white tea has more immune-boosting antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties than green tea. White tea extract has also been shown to protect skin from harmful UV rays.
Read more about 6 common foods that help block UV rays
Rooibos Tea Health Benefits
This caffeine-free option has numerous health benefits. It is known to increase airflow to the lungs, reduce inflammation, and promote strong hair, bones, and nails thanks to the presence of calcium, manganese, copper, and potassium.
Echinacea
Echinacea is an herbal tea commonly used to treat and prevent colds, but it can do much more. Studies have found it can help cure ear infections, UTI's, digestive issues, relieve inflammation and arthritis pain, and improve skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Oolong
Oolong tea has a light, earthy flavor that gets better with multiple steepings (unlike green and black teas which should only be steeped once). Oolong can improve mental alertness, and is also thought to prevent cancer, dental problems, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Perhaps the most well-known and studied health benefit of oolong is its fat-burning ability. One study found women who drank oolong burned more fat than those who drank water alone.
[Editor's note: We recommend drinking high-quality teas made from natural and organic ingredients, like those from our partner Bigelow.]
