Tea is a versatile beverage all year round. It warms you up in the winter and it cools you down in the summer. Next to water, it’s one of the most consumed beverages on the planet—nearly 3 billion cups per day! And for good reason. It’s readily available, it tastes good, it’s cheap and it’s good for us.
The therapeutic benefits of tea cannot be denied. They’ve been touted for thousands of years and continue to be to this day. While there are different types of tea, here’s a look at the benefits of three types of tea: black, green and white tea:
Black Tea
Next to water, black tea is perhaps the most commonly consumed drink in the world. It provides several healthful benefits due to the polyphenols and flavonoids it contains that provide protection against the onset of some types of cancer, including skin and colon. Some studies suggest that black tea may also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and the risk of heart attacks.
Green Tea
In studies, green tea has been associated with a lowered risk of several types of cancer, including lung, esophagus and stomach. It’s also been shown to lower the risk of diabetes, decay-causing dental problems, obesity and cardiovascular issues.
White Tea
Just like black and green tea, white tea is rich in antioxidants that help protect against inflammation. There is a slight difference between white and green tea. White tea has the types of antioxidants as green tea, only in greater amounts. That’s because white tea is not as processed as its counter-part.
The research is still mounting on the positive health affects of drinking tea. Tea is considered safe within the limit of up to three-to-six cups per day. What’s certain is that tea is accessible and here to stay.
How to make sun tea
Start with a clean glass pitcher of large jar and fill it with cool water. Based on the size of your container, add eight to ten tea bags per gallon of water. Cover the container and place it outdoors and in direct sunlight for approximately 3 hours (longer for stronger tasting tea). Serve plain or with wedges of citrus fruit. Experiment with different types of tea, or get creative and blend them.
