What's in a Cup of Tea?

Since ancient times tea has been considered a precious commodity and major influence on trade routes and expeditions.

Tea is more than a delicious pick-me-up. Both green and black teas contain catechins. Although more concentrated in green tea, these catechins promote a healthy brain as they protect against a buildup of amyloid deposits which are implicated in age related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Fluoride rich, tea offers protection against dental cavities. Theobromine found in teas appears to strengthen teeth and protects them better than fluoride. Add some green tea extract to chewing gum to help protect gum tissue and stimulate your salivary glands.

It is also said that tea improves glucose tolerance for borderline diabetics.

For those wanting to lose weight the catechins stimulate thermogenesis which then boosts fat metabolism and the body burns more calories. Next to water, tea is the most popular drink today all over the world and it appears that, although teas have different properties, one is healthier for the drinking of tea. All teas are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, the differences lie in what happens to them afterward.

We tend to think that Green Tea is the healthier one, with populations that drink green tea having lower rates of cancer, also well known in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a diuretic, digestive aid and astringent, a heart tonic too thus great for its gut health and weight reduction properties.

However scientists at the American Heart Association, are looking to Black Tea to see if it possesses life giving and extending properties. Another study shows the brew is actually getting rid of oral bacteria in the mouth. Polyphenols, one of the key components of black tea, has been found to inhibit growth of oral bacteria.