The Health Benefits of Drinking Charitable Tea

The Health Benefits of Drinking Tea

Drinking tea has been a beloved ritual for centuries in many cultures around the world. Beyond its ability to lift your mood and help you relax, tea comes packed with an array of health benefits that impact your entire body, from your brain to your heart and beyond.

Tea contains antioxidants called polyphenols that can help protect cells from damage. Green and black teas are especially high in polyphenols. The polyphenols in tea, especially green tea, have been linked with several health benefits, including:

• Improved brain function and mental alertness
• Lower risk of heart disease
• Lower risk of cancer
• Increased fat burning and weight loss
• Lower risk of diabetes

Different types of tea impact health in unique ways based on their specific polyphenol makeups. Some of the most researched and renowned true teas include green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and pu'erh tea.

Green Tea

Green tea is made from unfermented tea leaves, retaining the highest concentration of polyphenols and antioxidants. The predominant polyphenol in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been studied extensively for its anti-cancer effects. Green tea has been linked with health benefits including:

• Weight loss - EGCG boosts fat burning and metabolic rate
• Lower risk of heart disease and stroke - Green tea improves artery function and lowers LDL cholesterol oxidation
• Lower risk of Alzheimer's disease - EGCG protects brain cells from damage
• Lower risk of Parkinson's disease - Green tea protects dopamine-producing neurons
• Lower risk of diabetes - Green tea increases insulin sensitivity
• Improved dental health - Green tea reduces bacteria and inflammation

Try drinking 3-5 cups per day for maximal health benefits. Some of the tastiest and most renowned green tea varieties include matcha, sencha, gunpowder, and jasmine green tea.

Black Tea

Black tea is made from fermented tea leaves. The fermentation process alters the polyphenols as the tea leaves are exposed to air, breaking down polyphenols into theaflavins and thearubigins. Black tea polyphenols have been shown to offer benefits such as:

• Lower risk of heart disease - Black tea reduces LDL cholesterol oxidation and improves artery function
• Lower risk of diabetes - Black tea increases insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar spikes
• Lower risk of cancer - Theaflavins have anti-cancer effects on various cancers
• Healthier gut - Black tea polyphenols feed healthy gut bacteria
• Stronger bones - Flavonoids in black tea improve bone mineral density
• Lower risk of stroke - Thearubigins reduce inflammation in blood vessels

For the healthiest cup, choose loose leaf black tea varieties like assam, darjeeling, ceylon, and nilgiri. Steep for 3-5 minutes at 200°F.

White Tea

White tea is the least processed true tea. The tea buds and leaves are simply withered and dried with no further processing, retaining a high concentration of polyphenols. Studies suggest white tea may:

• Protect brain health - White tea improves mood, focus and memory
• Lower diabetes risk - Polyphenols improve insulin sensitivity
• Enhance fat burning - The combination of caffeine and EGCG promotes weight loss
• Reduce liver damage - Antioxidants in white tea protect liver cells
• Fight viruses and bacteria - Catechins have antimicrobial effects
• Lower risk of cancer - White tea polyphenols may suppress tumor cell growth

For best flavor and health benefits, choose loose leaf white teas like silver needle, white peony, and shou mei. Steep at 170°F for 1-3 minutes.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is partially fermented, giving it a taste and polyphenol content somewhere between green tea and black tea. Here are some of oolong tea’s evidence-based benefits:

• Boosts metabolism - Polyphenols increase fat burning
• Lowers heart disease risk - Oolong improves cholesterol levels and artery function
• Helps manage diabetes - Oolong improves insulin sensitivity and stabilizes blood sugar
• Promotes bone strength - Minerals in oolong improve bone mineral density
• Relieves eczema - Polyphenols reduce inflammatory immune responses

Try loose leaf oolong varieties like da hong pao, oriental beauty, and dan cong for the most flavor and health benefits. Steep at 180°F for 2-3 minutes.

Pu'erh Tea

Like oolong, pu’erh tea is fermented but goes through a secondary fermentation process. This distinct fermentation results in a bold, earthy flavor. Pu’erh has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, with modern research suggesting it may:

• Aid in weight loss - Polyphenols boost metabolism
• Lower LDL cholesterol - Tea polysaccharides reduce cholesterol absorption
• Improve heart health - Antioxidants improve blood flow
• Control blood sugar - Pu’erh tea polysaccharides slow glucose absorption
• Protect liver function - Tea antioxidants reduce inflammation

Raw and ripe pu’erh tea offer slightly different flavors and polyphenol contents. For best results, opt for loose leaf and properly stored aged pu’erh.

The Best Teas for Heart Health

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death globally. Luckily, regularly drinking tea has been linked to a significantly lower risk of heart disease.

Tea contains a variety of bioactive compounds that benefit heart health, including:

• Antioxidants like polyphenols which protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation and prevent plaque buildup in arteries
• Theaflavins and thearubigins which reduce inflammation in blood vessels
• Flavonoids that improve nitric oxide production, leading to better artery function
• Caffeine which can improve circulation when consumed in moderation
• Vitamin K which prevents calcification of arteries

But certain varieties seem to be particularly beneficial for supporting a healthy heart.

Green Tea

Several large studies have found those who drink green tea have up to a 30% lower risk of heart disease. Researchers believe the polyphenol EGCG in green tea is a major contributor to its heart-protective effects due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent atherosclerosis.

Black Tea

Black tea has also been associated with around a 10% reduced risk of heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Black tea theaflavins inhibit inflammation, reduce LDL oxidation, and improve blood vessel function.

Oolong Tea

Regular oolong tea consumption may decrease risk of heart disease by up to 50%. Studies suggest oolong tea’s polyphenols boost fat burning and lower inflammation, reducing plaque buildup.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea made from the vibrant red hibiscus flower offers a tart, cranberry-like flavor and several heart health benefits. Studies show hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure, improve lipid profiles, and boost circulation.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos is an herbal tea made from the South African red bush. Its high flavonoid content provides incredible heart benefits. Research suggests rooibos tea consumption lowers LDL cholesterol while improving HDL cholesterol and insulin resistance.

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is an invigorating, spicy brew made from fresh or dried ginger root. Ginger contains gingerol which thins the blood, stimulates circulation, and prevents plaque buildup for better heart health.

Using Tea to Support Healthy Causes

With its wide array of flavors and health benefits, tea has become a popular beverage around the world. Many companies are using people's love of tea to support charitable causes that benefit communities globally.

Some brands that are giving back with every sip include:

Tao Tea Leaf

Tao Tea Leaf is a woman-owned organic tea company that aims to empower women through sustainable trade. The company partners with female-led cooperatives in tea-producing areas like Indonesia, Nepal and China. A portion of each sale goes to supporting gender equality, healthcare, and education programs in tea-growing communities.

Tea Drops

Tea Drops' pressed cube teas support women entrepreneurs while reducing waste through biodegradable packaging. The company has donated over $100,000 to women’s organizations and STEM programs for underrepresented youth. Purchases also support Teas for Trees, planting a tree for every 100 cups sold.

Traditional Medicinals

All Traditional Medicinals herbal teas are organic and fair trade certified. The company has also partnered with Herbal Hope, donating profits of their Throat Coat tea to providing medical care, food, and supplies to African communities.

Numi Organic Tea

Numi donates 1% of revenues to their Together for H2OPEE program, building wells and improving water sanitation in tea-growing communities to increase health and gender equality. Their sales also support the Fair Trade Premium Fund, worker scholarships, and carbon offsetting projects.

The Republic of Tea

The Republic of Tea aims for sustainable packaging and ethically sourced ingredients. Their Be the Change Teas support various causes with each purchase, including literacy programs, Parkinson’s research, veteran support, and reducing plastic pollution.

Enjoy an Ethical Cup

Tea is revered worldwide for its soothing flavor, health benefits, and role in cultural traditions. But today more brands are using tea as an avenue to give back and support meaningful causes.

Companies are increasingly sourcing tea ethically, using eco-conscious materials, donating profits, and partnering with tea-growing communities. By purchasing from charitable tea brands, your daily cuppa can help support worthy global and local causes.

So brew a pot today knowing that your tea breaks are both benefiting your health and making a positive impact on people and the planet.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.