The health benefits of tea

The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea

The Chemistry of Tea
It's What's Inside That Counts

For centuries the Chinese have used tea as much for medicinal purposes, as
they have a tasty beverage. No one needed to prove to them that tea held
the key to better health. The proof was in the pudding, so to speak...or rather,
in the teacup.

But the wary Western world al-
ways insisted on proof, proof,
and more proof. And they've gotten what they've
asked for in the form of hundreds of colleges,
medical centers, scientists, and governmental
agencies that already knew; tea is healthy for the
body, mind, and spirit. It not only helps to heal
the inside, but the outside as well.

Numerous studies on everything from halitosis
(bad breath), to heart disease, high blood
pressure, cancer, and diabetes, show that tea
plays a major role in helping to heal or eliminate
sickness and disease.

It helps boost the immune system to aid in fight in-
fections, and ward off colds and flu, aids in diges-

tive problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and helps strengthen teeth and bones, and more.

The tiny tea leaf is an amazing thing. But I bet you're wondering what's in tea that makes it so
healthy. Well, let's take a look.

Tea - What's in There?

                                              Tea is filled to the brim with good stuff - vitamins, minerals, and
                                              antioxidants in the form of polyphenols EGCG, and tannic acid,
                                              which fight diseases, inflammation, and cell damage resulting in
                                              some forms of cancer.

                                              But to make it easier to understand how it fights illness and
                                              disease, we'll break the tea leaf down, and look at some of the
                                              specific compounds and what they do. We'll start with EGCG, an
                                              antioxidant with a great big name.

                                              EGCG (epigallocatechingallate)
From the polyphenol group, EGCG is an important organic compound that helps in the fight
against everything from cancer to colds and viruses. Polyphenols help in slowing down many
types of cancer, and in the case of lung cancer, works not only in the bloodstream, but in the
respiratory system as well.

This is important to heavy smokers who can
help to reverse the damage done by free
radicals by drinking three to four cups of tea
a day.

Like aspirin, EGCG has anti-clotting proper-
ties, helping to prevent blood clots in veins
and arteries normally susceptible, helping
to prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Tannic Acid
Lke EGCG, tannic acid is also from the poly-
phenol group. One of its unique qualities is
the ability to slow the absorption of caffeine
into the bloodstream.

Another important function of tannic acid is the re-
moval of the culture medium used by toxic bacteria
living in the intestines. By changing proteins into
molecules it creates a substance parasites can no
longer use. Deprived of their food source the bac-
teria die.

                                  This is one of the reasons tea has such a soothing effect on the stomach
                                  and intestines, and why tea is so effective in treating and preventing
                                  nervous disorders and inflammation of the stomach.

                                  Flavonoids
                                  Flavonoids play a key role in the fight against cardiovascular disease,
                                  helping to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They also
                                  help to prevent strokes by reducing clots in the veins and arteries.
                                  Studies show they also help reduce the risk of stomach cancer, breast
                                  cancer, and cancer of the intestines.

Other Vitamins and Minerals in Tea
There are plenty of other vitamins, minerals, and various compounds in tea that make it so
healthy for us. Such as:

Vitamin C - an anti-inflammatory and important antioxidant.

Thiamine - a water soluble B vitamin. Helps with concentration and mental
acuity, and helps eliminate stress.

Flouride - aids in growth and strength of bones and teeth.

Aluminum - (contains trace amounts) helps relieve excess gastric acids
and soothes heartburn and stomach irritations and flare-ups.

Manganese - this trace element helps build connective tissue, such as muscle and tendons, and helps metabolize fat
and protein. Together with calcium it also helps food to pass quickly to bones.

This is only a partial list of the health benefits, and vitamins and minerals contained in tea. Every day there is more
ongoing research into the contents of tea, and its impact on our health.

Needless to say, tea not only tastes good, but is very, very good for us, too. Enjoy.