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A scientific review suggests that drinking loose tea (but not processed tea) is linked to better cardiovascular health and metabolism, as well as a lower risk of developing certain chronic diseases.Donkeys.
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Drinking tea can contain the drink’s natural bioactive antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols and catechins.
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Although it’s not a magical health solution in itself, to maximize the benefits of tea, drink whole-leaf instead of processed bottled alternatives, and use minimal or no sugar.
It is not surprising to come across yet another study talking about the health benefits of drinking tea. But new research has found that you won’t get all the benefits of just throwing back any old tea. Instead, what matters is the type of drink you sip and what you consume with it.
The study is published in the journal Beverage plant researchTea has been found to be associated with potential health benefits, from a reduced risk of heart disease to a reduced chance of developing cancer. But you can inadvertently delete those features by “wronging” your tea. Here’s what the study found, plus what dietitians want you to keep in mind.
What did the study find?
For the scientific review, researchers analyzed data from previous research and found that drinking tea (especially green tea) is linked to better heart health and metabolism, as well as a lower risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Tea may also help protect your brain as you age, according to the findings.
But here’s a caveat: The perks come from brewed, unprocessed, tea. Processed teas such as bottled and bubble teas may contain sugar, artificial sweeteners and additives that cancel out the benefits, according to the study’s authors.
What kind of tea is best?
Drinking tea, ideally without sugar, seems to be the way to go. “This is possible because tea contains many natural bioactive antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols and catechins,” says Kerry Gans, RD, author. Small change diet. Polyphenols can help reduce inflammation in the body and support heart health, while catechins can help protect cells from damage.
Scott Kettley, RD, co-owner of Kettley Medical Nutrition Therapy, explains that freshly brewed tea “delivers the beneficial compounds in tea in a simple, reliable way.” Bottled teas can also be heat-treated (at temperatures higher than those used when brewing them themselves) so they can stay on the shelf, he points out. “That heat and long storage can degrade or alter some of the tea’s natural compounds,” he says.
Many processed teas also contain added sugars, sweeteners or refined starches, which can negate the benefits of drinking the tea, Kate reiterates. “In these products, the added ingredients have a greater impact on health than the tea itself,” he says.
Whole leaf tea REDA – Getty Images
How to maximize the health benefits of tea
In a perfect world, you get whole leaf tea (like this one). “Whole leaf tea is minimally processed, which helps preserve the natural compounds associated with the tea’s health benefits,” Keatley says. The match is a little different, he pointed out. “You consume the whole powdered leaf, which results in a higher intake of catechins and other active compounds than drinking tea,” Kettle says.
Because fish is high in caffeine, Ketley says moderation is key. “But both options generally offer more benefits than bottled or heavily processed teas,” he adds.
If you can, skip the sugar or add only minimal sugar, according to Gans. And, of course, it’s important to keep things in perspective. “Tea can support health as part of a balanced diet, but it’s not a magic solution by itself,” Gans says.
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