Green tea, oolong tea, and chamomile tea contain bioactive compounds and antioxidants that are good for overall health, supporting disease prevention and promoting a longer life.
In addition to its cooling and detoxifying effects on the body, drinking tea also supports digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory functions. Teas contain bioactive compounds, including amino acids, caffeine, lignin, proteins, xanthines, and flavonoids, all of which have a positive impact on health.
The flavan-3-ols compound in tea can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. As a result, it helps prevent diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some other metabolic disorders. In addition to disease prevention, some herbal teas also support medical treatment to enhance health and extend lifespan. Below are 7 beneficial types of tea.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea is made from the same tea leaves as black and green tea. These leaves contain a compound called EGCG, which has anti-cancer properties. However, the processing method for these teas is different. Black tea is fully oxidized and then dried. Green tea is unoxidized, while oolong tea is semi-oxidized.
In addition to buying tea packets to brew at home, you can also purchase bottled oolong tea products at stores and supermarkets, but it’s important to pay attention to the nutritional information.
Turmeric tea
Turmeric has a distinctive flavor, is a popular ingredient in many dishes, and offers many health benefits. These benefits are largely attributed to curcumin—a highly bioactive natural compound found in the turmeric root. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, supports anti-cancer activity, and helps prevent certain diseases.
Green tea
A study from the Ohsaki National Health Center in Japan investigated the effect of green tea on reducing the risk of mortality. The research followed 40,530 adults aged 40-79 with no prior history of stroke, coronary heart disease, or cancer. After an 11-year follow-up, the results showed that individuals who drank more than two cups of green tea daily had a 22-33% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed less than half a cup per day.
In addition to reducing the risk of cancer, green tea is also known to support brain function, improve skin elasticity to prevent sagging, and maintain a youthful appearance. The benefits of green tea are attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, catechins. These compounds are also linked to promoting healthy aging.
Black tea
This is a classic type of tea that can help you live a healthier and longer life by supporting cardiovascular health and reducing potential heart problems. Because it is fully oxidized, it has a rich flavor and contains more caffeine than green tea.
This tea should be enjoyed away from mealtimes and not too close to bedtime, as the caffeine can keep you awake. It takes about 3-5 hours for caffeine to be completely eliminated from the body.
Hibiscus tea
Although hibiscus tea doesn’t contain the same plant compounds as green, black, and oolong teas, it can offer health benefits thanks to its own natural compounds. Drinking this tea daily may help lower blood pressure, fight viruses, and manage cholesterol by reducing levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides.
Chamomile tea
In 2015, researchers at the University of Texas in the US studied the effects of chamomile tea on 1,670 women over the age of 65. Fourteen percent of the participants in the study regularly drank chamomile tea. After a seven-year follow-up, chamomile tea drinkers had a 29% lower risk of death from all causes compared to non-drinkers.
Drinking chamomile tea is also linked to slowing age-related bone loss and boosting immune health.
