The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Tea in Immunity - Keeping Our Immune System Strong and Healthy |
| Everyday we come into contact with a myriad of illess and disease causing microorganisms, that want nothing more than to knock us off our feet, and use our body as a host to increase their numbers. |
| And although some can be stopped by getting immunized, such as a yearly flu shot or scheduled shots at infancy (measles, chicken pox, tetanus, etc.), there are still plenty of others out there wait- ing to infect us. That means we need the protection of our immune system - working to seek out and destroy the disease causing freeloaders before they have a chance to infect us. But what can we do to maintain our immune system and keep it running as strong as possible? One of the easiest ways is to drink plenty of tea. Studies done with green tea drinkers show they are far less likely than non-tea drinkers to be infected with an illness or serious disease. |
| So how does tea work to strengthen the immune system? From the moment we are born our immune system goes to work to protect us. Barriers are formed by the skin, mucous secretions (in the nose) and stomach acid, protecting us against bacteria, viruses, fungi, or any of the other microorganisms found floating in the air, or lying on everyday surfaces that we touch. This is called innate immunity. We also have a second defense in the form of adaptive immunity. This form of resistance is built up over the course of our lifetime. Every cold or flu virus, bronchitis, sore throat, measles, or chicken pox, along with immunizations received over the course of our life had a hand in building a natural barrier against that illness, which in turn helped to increase our adaptive immunity. Unfortunately as we age our immune system slowly decreases in strength. Also not eating right or getting the proper nutrition, poor sleep habits, high stress levels, and working long hard hours over an extended period of time, all contribute to a decline in the strength of our immune system. The good news is that we can boost it back up to that of our younger years. Drinking tea is probably one of the easiest ways to rebuild and maintain our immune system back to optimal levels. Studies have shown that green tea drinkers are far less likely to get ill or stricken by disease. One of the reasons tea is so effective is because of the high levels of antioxidants in the form of polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and com- pounds. Tea contains a whole host of important vitamins and minerals including vitamin C equal to the amount of one whole lemon in every cup, along with vitamins B2, D, K, and carotenoids (fat soluble pigments). Tea is also rich in minerals, containing calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and fluoride, to name just a few. Some vitamins and minerals are found in trace amounts, while others are found in significant amounts. Also the ingredients vary between the less processed green and white teas and the more heavily processed black, and semi-oxidized oolong teas. Recent studies have shown that pu-erh teas are similar to green teas with many of the same healing properties as well as some unique health benefits of its own. Tea also contains high levels of the polyphenol EGCG, belonging to a group called catechins. EGCG interacts in a unique way to counteract disease causing microorganisms, lessening their ability to cause disease. |
| T-Cells and B-Cells Specialized Microorganism Invaders |
| Our body produces large amounts of specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes, found in bone marrow. There are two kinds of lymphocytes produced:
|
| Studies have shown that both EGCG and ECG found in tea helped bolster and enhance B cell and T cell's activity, along with boosting the activity of other germ eating cells called macrophages, as well as activated white cells which are natural killer cells that search out and destroy any invasive cells they find. Also, studies from several Chinese hospitals have shown that green tea polyphenols boost white blood cell counts. Another natural immune system booster found in tea is L-theanine, which helps the immune system fight off illnesses such as cold and influenza caused by viruses, bacterial infections, and fungi. The results of studies done, showed that the test volunteers who drank five cups of black tea a day had increased levels of interferon, a component of the immune system. So by improving our diet, getting the proper amount of rest, getting a handle on stress and any work-o-haulic tendencies, along with drinking three to five cups of tea a day, we can turn back the clock on our declining immune system, giving it a nice boost and restoring it back to that of our younger years, lessening the chances of catching a bug or being stricken with a serious disease. And if by chance you can't or don't wish to drink the recommended three to five cups of tea a day, you can always take green tea extract, or EGCG or green tea supplements instead. Enjoy. |
| For more information or to learn more about tea, visit our other pages: The many health benefits of drinking tea. If after drinking a cup of tea you seem to feel better, it's not your imagination. Tea contains a long list of beneficial ingredients including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help fight everything from colds and flu, to cancer and heart disease. Do you feel a cold or the flu coming on? Quick read this! It may be hard to believe, but by just drinking a few cups of tea each day, you're boosting your immune system and warding off illness. Learn how tea helps stop the virus responsible for colds and flu dead in its tracks. Can tea really help me lose weight? Learn how drinking just three cups of tea a day can help you shed those unwanted pounds as well as provide a powerhouse of other health benefits, too. (Try Silver Leaf Tea's Weight Loss Tea, specially designed to help you lose weight, along with amazing health benefits as well). Down and out with a cold or the flu? This recipe is for you! If you've been hit by a cold or influenza virus, this is one tea recipe that will get you back up and on your feet and feeling rosy again in no time. A cup of hot tea - just what you needed. Nothing is more soothing, relaxing, or revitalizing than a cup of hot tea. If you've had one of "those" days and need to wind down, or just need a quick energy boost, check out these great hot tea recipes. Shou pu-erh - the faster aging pu-erh tea. How faster aging shou pu-erh tea is made, and the difference between shou pu-erh and its longer aging counterpart, sheng pu-erh. Tea and caffeine - how the caffeine found in tea affects us. A look at the amount of caffeine in each type of tea and how it affects our body. Also caffeine as a stimulant, how it works, and the positive and negative effects it may have on our system. |
| Copyright 2010 www.theteadetective.com All rights reserved. No reproductions of any kind allowed without permission. |
| For a great selection of quality teas, gifts, and accessories, visit: The Tea Detective's Gift of Tea Store |
Receive A Guide To Tea, an 88-page book on the history and enjoyment of tea free with your first Adagio Teas order of $19 or more.