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Tea has become synonymous with the drinking of water. This is especially true in certain parts of the world such as England, China and Japan, where tea drinking is a tradition as well as a pastime.  Nonetheless, this quiet pastime has proliferated across the world, particularly due to the many purported benefits of tea.  Many of these benefits have been verified scientifically which have made tea one of the world’s most famous beverages, second to water.

The benefits of drinking tea include the boosting of the immune system like the constituents that can be found in Green tea, weight loss in oolong tea as well as cholesterol management and bone health as found in oolong, green and black teas.  In addition, many other beneficial effects have been associated with tea consumption such as anti-aging and general skin health.

While some persons may prefer to consume just one type of tea, it is best to consume a variety of teas to reap the essential benefits.  In this article, we will discuss four (4) scientific benefits of teas as well as any side effects of consuming teas.  The benefits that will be discussed include weight management, cancer-preventive effects, reduced risk of diabetes as well as bone health.  Let’s discuss!

The Discussion

Tea consumption dates back to previous centuries according to Chinese legend when it was accidentally discovered by Emperor Shennong more than Two – thousand (2,000) years ago (Yee, 2012).  It is a story that was told of how Shennong a skilled ruler, herbalist and scientist was in his garden boiling water when a leaf from a wild tea tree fell into his pot.  This led to him starting research into the wild leaf, which of course had fallen into his pot of boiling water and the rest is tea history, literally!

The heightened interest in research on teas has inspired many scientific discoveries about the benefits of this simple concoction which in most cases was generated by the famous tea plant – camellia sinensis. These include green tea which is a non-fermented form of the camellia sinensis plant, black tea, white tea and, oolong tea.

Most of the benefits of tea have to do with the polyphenolic compounds that are commonly found in green and black tea (Khan & Mukhtar, 2013).  In addition, research has shown that the catechins and theaflavins which are some of the other compounds found in teas are responsible for the physiological effects of the tea in general (Khan & Mukhtar, 2013).  Let’s discuss the benefits.

Four (4) ‘to know’ health benefits of drinking teas regularly:

• It may help with weight loss and weight management.
• May help in the prevention of some types of cancers.
• May help with diabetes.
• May help with bone health.

Tea and Weight loss and overall weight management

Tea has been touted as one of those beverages that can assist with weight loss and overall weight management, particularly green and oolong tea.  This claim was backed by over forty-nine (49) studies that showed that catechins which are flavonoids, act as an antioxidant in weight loss by speeding up one’s metabolism as well as breaking down excess fat (Huang, et. al. 2014;). 

Flavonoids can help to decrease body weight and significantly assist with the maintenance of body weight after weight loss.  Research has also shown that green and oolong tea can help in weight loss.  As such, research contends that green tea has a small, but needless to say, positive effect on weight management (Hursel, et. al, 2009; Jurgens, et. al, 2012).  However, the benefits of weight loss were particularly realized via habitual tea drinking and not in a ‘now and then’ situation (Hursel et. al, 2009).

As such, the caffeine, which is present in green tea, helps to increase the amount of energy the body uses.  Further, research shows that oolong tea, which is a semi-fermented tea that is derived from the same plant as green and black tea, can significantly assist in weight loss and weight management.  In fact, Rumpler et. al. (2001), in their article “Oolong tea increases metabolic rate and fat oxidation in men” pointed out that oolong tea can help to accelerate metabolism by increasing energy expenditure by an average of 281 kilojoules per day in healthy, normative weight men.  You can read more about oolong tea and its weight loss and other great benefits here.

• Let’s talk Oolong tea.

Tea and Cancer

The cancer-preventative effects of teas have been studied for many years. One of the earliest studies dates back to a study done in 1988 by Wang et. al, (1989) titled “ Protection against polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced skin tumour initiation in mice by green tea polyphenols”.  The study, which was conducted with mice, found that the topical application of green tea polyphenols resulted in substantial protection against the onset as well as the subsequent development of tumours.  

The study also found that the oral consumption or feeding of a polyphenolic fraction isolated from green tea also protected against skin tumorigenesis in treated animals (Mukhtar, et. al., 1992; Yang, et. al., 1993 & Katiyar, et.al., 1992). 

Several studies have also concurred on the cancer-preventative benefits of catechins and flavonoids that are found in teas, especially in colon cancer.  However, the preventative effects were only established with regular consumption and in high amounts over a long period (Jian-Min Yuan, 2013).  As it relates to the other types of cancers such as prostate, breast and lung cancers, some studies have been inconclusive. 

Nonetheless, studies have shown that persons with stage 1 and stage 11 breast cancers had a lower rate of the recurrence of breast cancer if they drank more than five (5) cups of green tea per day in comparison to persons who consumed less than four (4) cups per day (Nakachi, et. al, 1998).

In addition, a controlled study in Uruguay found a reduced risk of lung cancer and tea consumption in male cigarette smokers (Mendilaharsu et. al, 1998).  This study was concurred by another case-controlled study that was done in Taiwan of Two Hundred and Forty-one (241) lung cancer patients.  The study found that there was a higher risk of lung cancer in smokers who never drank green tea in comparison to smokers who drank more than a cup of green tea per day (Lin, et. al, 2012).

Tea and a reduced risk of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, which is described as a public health burden, has dramatically increased worldwide (International Diabetes Association, 2011). Once considered a disease of the ‘affluence’ diabetes is now threatening the lives of the rich and poor alike, especially in developing countries (Hu, 2011). It is also considered one of the leading causes of death in the world.  While epidemiologic studies and randomized clinical trials have shown that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through diet and lifestyle modifications, it is still predicted to reach approximately 439 million people by the year 2030 (Shaw, et. al, 2010).

Along with a healthy diet and active lifestyle, many studies have shown that tea can contribute to the prevention of diabetes, particularly type 2, due to its ability to reduce the glucose level in humans (Khan and Mukhtar, 2013).  However, while some studies have been inconclusive on the effects of tea and diabetes, others have otherwise been positive.

One study, in particular, was a study of over Three Hundred Thousand (300,000) participants of ages ranging from 5-18 years.  The study showed that participants who drank four (4) or more cups of tea per day had a 20% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those who drank less or none. However, as per gender, no significant statistical association was observed (Jing et. al, 2009).

While the research concurred that the reason for the reduction effects of diabetes is unclear, it still provides a ray of hope as to how something like a few cups of tea per day along with a healthy diet and active lifestyle can prevent the onset of this debilitating disease.

Tea and Bone Health

 Bone health is critical to one’s overall health as weak or debilitating bones can seriously impact one’s way of life.  Research has shown potential benefits of tea consumption and bone health, especially as it relates to one’s risk of osteoporosis (Sun, et. al, 2006). 

In a study conducted by Sun et, al. (2006), it was found that tea consumption can indeed reduce the risk of osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is a disease which affects bone density and formation, which over time leads to a deterioration of bone quality which makes the bone more susceptible to fractures. Nonetheless, Chen et, al, 2003) refute this claim suggesting that frequent tea consumption has little effect on bone density and as such, cannot significantly alter the risk of fractures, particularly among women who are of postmenopausal age. 

However, Chen’s, et. al (2003) arguments have been refuted by many researchers who have shown that tea consumption does have some positive effect on bone health.  One such study was that of Mikuls et. al, 2002), where it was found that women who consumed at least three (3) cups of tea (no particular tea was referenced – just the broad category of tea) showed a decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis when compared to women who never drank tea.

Illustrative Summary

Here is a summary of four (4) awesome benefits of drinking tea regularly.

Let’s Sum It Up!

 Tea is a universally consumed beverage and for several reasons, realized or purported.  Teas, some more than others, are loaded with antioxidants, catechins, theaflavins and other flavonoids, which makes them a beneficial drink to have with any meal or on their own.  In addition, over the years, more research is finding that tea, when consumed regularly and in high amounts say more than 4-5 cups per day can significantly benefit one’s health in the long term. 

Purported benefits of tea include weight management due to the catechins and caffeine which can increase one’s metabolism and energy consumption, cancer prevention particularly colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes as some tea can reduce glucose levels in the blood as well as improve bone density which can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Some of the teas include green, white, black and oolong tea, with green tea being cited mostly in research for its beneficial effects on human health.  Nonetheless, seeing that some of the most famous teas are produced from the same plant – camellia sinensis, it is safe to say that all these have some beneficial effect on one’s overall health and well-being. 

So, is it your time?  Sip and Enjoy!

You can read more about the benefits of teas by reading the articles below on Oolong and Burdock Root tea. 

Also, teas are usually a big part of the regimen for those on a weight loss or management or overall health and well-being.  As such, feel free to check out this post on Intermittent Fasting, how to do it and its many health benefits.

• Let’s talk Oolong tea –  including four (4) awesome benefits and how to brew it!
• Burdock Root – Another priceless gift of nature – Here are Six(6) reasons why!
• Intermittent Fasting – Five (5) Scientific Benefits plus How to do it!
• Is Coffee Good for You? Here are Five (5) Health Benefits Plus Some Cautionary Tales!

References

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