OTHER THAN JUST WATER, tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide. And that’s a good thing because research indicates that drinking tea may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions. Some professionals even advocate consuming two to three cups daily. But various tea varieties have different health advantages. Here, we contrast the benefits of four popular teas.
Black Tea
The amount of caffeine in one 8-ounce cup of this tea, which is around 50 mg, is half that of a cup of coffee. When black tea leaves are rolled or crushed, an enzyme that oxidizes the catechins—a kind of antioxidant—in the leaves is released, giving the beverage its distinctive flavor and color. Regular consumption may help your bones grow stronger: One study found that postmenopausal women who consistently drank black tea for five years had better bone mineral density than those who didn’t.
Green Tea
Green tea, which uses the same leaves as black tea but is steamed to avoid oxidation, has long been praised for its beneficial effects on health. Its combination of caffeine (approximately 30 mg in 1 cup) and copious amounts of catechins can improve mental clarity and even speed up calorie burning, however, the impact may not be sufficient to aid in weight loss. According to some evidence, drinking green tea helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which lowers your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Oolong Tea
The same leaves used to make green and black teas are used to make this one, however, the oolong leaves are gently rolled after being partially dried to allow for some oxidation. Oolongs can acquire a yellow-green hue through this technique (others become brown when rolled more firmly). Oolong tea can include a respectable quantity of antioxidants and a little bit more caffeine than green tea. Oolong contains an antioxidant class known as Thea Sinensis, which may lessen inflammation and provide some immune system protection.
White Tea
Young tea leaf buds are quickly boiled and dried shortly after being picked to make white tea. This prevents the bronzing of those leaves.
Many people believe white tea has less caffeine because of its gentle color and flavor, yet a brewed cup of white tea can have about the same amount as green tea. This tea includes more catechins than other varieties of tea, which may help keep blood vessels open and aid in the body’s ability to burn down fat.
