Tea It Up

The wellness benefits of drinking certain teas are scientific fact. Green tea (including white tea, which is merely the unopened buds and tender young leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant), is rich in polyphenols and has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and when drunk regularly can provide a boost to the immune system. These combined effects may even make it valuable in helping prevent cancer.

But tea therapy — described as “a method of caring for physical and psychological health” — is about more than simply drinking tea. Its science is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to diagnose and treat illness.

In TCM theory, the five elements — earth, fire, wood, water and metal — correspond directly to the spleen, heart, liver, kidneys and lungs, respectively. The theory states that just as the relationships between the five elements maintain balance in nature, the relationships between the five organs maintain balance in the human body.

Even if the supposed calming effects of drinking tea are a placebo effect, it is hard to argue that sipping on a warm cup of tea simply feels good.

Backed by Science

Dr. David Culpepper, the clinical director of LifeMD, says tea has been shown to have “extraordinary health benefits.”

“Tea has also been associated with a reduced risk of stroke,” Culpepper says. “Green tea, in particular, is also quite rich in antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of cancer.”

Dr. Emma Laing, a registered dietitian nutritionist and clinical professor at the University of Georgia, says green tea provides polyphenols (antioxidants), amino acids and modest amounts of potassium, magnesium and sodium.

“The list of the health benefits associated with green tea is lengthy,” Laing says.

Laing acknowledges more research is needed, but she says studies have shown green tea consumption has the potential to:

• Reduce anxiety, increase attention span and improve memory
• Lower the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment
• Reduce levels of total and LDL cholesterol in the blood
• Reduce fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c concentrations
• Lower blood pressure
• Decrease incidence of certain types of cancers
• Protect against urinary stone formation

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, includes teas among the low-calorie drinks that can be part of a healthy diet. The CDC notes moderate caffeine consumption (up to 400 milligrams) can be part of a healthy diet.

Green Tea

Green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is also the source of black and oolong tea. The difference is in how the leaves are processed. Leaves are steamed, pan fried and dried for green tea.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of National Institutes of Health, reports that green tea is promoted for improving mental alertness, relieving digestive symptoms and headaches and promoting weight loss. Studies have not provided any conclusive evidence that green tea is effective for these claims.

Green tea has a much higher concentration of polyphenols, a strong antioxidant, than black or oolong tea. The NIH notes antioxidants may help or delay some types of cell damage. It also notes that high intake of antioxidants, such as the levels that are associated with supplements, may interfere with some medications.

Kombucha Tea

Kombucha is a fermented tea made with a starter of symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). Resembling a small, gelatinous hockey puck, SCOBY is responsible for kombucha’s delicate, signature effervescence. The flavor can range from sweet to tart depending on how long the tea ferments.

There are several health benefits associated with kombucha. Because it’s made with tea, kombucha is associated with similar benefits of drinking green or black tea. As a fermented beverage, kombucha is also a probiotic and may also offer gut health benefits similar to eating yogurt. While fermenting, different flavorings can be added in the form of juice, fruit, herbs or spices, which may also contain additional antioxidants and vitamins.

Kombucha has been associated with certain adverse health reactions. It is advisable to seek a doctor’s recommendation on safe consumption levels.

Herbal Teas

Chamomile tea has long been considered a brew that soothes. Whether chamomile has sedative therapeutic bioactivity remains unclear, but there is evidence that chamomile tea has moderate antimicrobial activity and significant antiplatelet-clumping activity.

Research does point to evidence of bioactivity of peppermint tea. In test tubes, peppermint has been found to have significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong antioxidant and antitumor actions, and some antiallergenic potential.

Hibiscus tea, meanwhile, has been shown in human clinical trials to lower blood pressure in a group of pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults.