Tea & Health

Tea is enjoyed around the world (and has been for centuries), due to its refreshing taste and health benefits. 

Here is a list of ways teas can positively impact your day-to-day life. 

Hydration

Drinking tea is a great way to keep your body hydrated.

About 70% of the body is made up of water. When brewed, tea is approximately 99% water, so drinking it regularly throughout the day helps maintain hydration and contributes to your daily fluid requirements.

How much water you should drink varies depending on the climate where you live and your activity levels. It’s recommended you drink plenty of fluids regularly to prevent dehydration.

Manganese

Tea is a natural source of manganese.

One cup of green tea contains between 0.1-0.5 mg of manganese and one cup of black tea contains about half of this amount.

Manganese is an essential mineral required for bone formulation and energy metabolism. It is also part of an antioxidant enzyme which helps prevent free radical-mediated damage to cells.

In Europe, Canada, and Australia, regulatory authorities have authorized the claim that manganese "contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism” and “contributes to normal bone formation.”

Low Calorie

All teas have zero calories making them an ideal everyday drink.

You might be surprised at how quickly liquid calories add up from flavoured hot drinks, juices, sweetened coffees, and energy drinks.

Try swapping your higher calorie beverages for a tasty cup of tea.

Flavonoids

Tea naturally contains antioxidant substances known as flavonoids.

Of the flavonoid antioxidants found in tea, epigallocatechin gallate (known simply as EGCG) is the most known. In vitro studies have demonstrated the antioxidant effect of flavonoids .

It’s believed that regularly consuming flavonoids helps protect our bodies from harmful free radicals.

Ongoing research across the world is looking into the positive health benefits of flavonoids, such as EGCG, found in tea.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), acknowledges that drinking green tea specifically has an antioxidant effect in blood: “Consumption of 1 cup of green tea green tea helps to protect blood lipids from oxidation.” (Source)

To learn more about tea and health, please visit the Tea & Herbals Association of Canada.