Tea your way 💌 - The incredible benefits of tea on the mind, body & soul
Tea - a winter essential if we've ever known one & most definitely a favourite here in the JAYD office.
This delightful drink seems to be able to solve just about any problem. Hectic day at work? Curl up with a cuppa. Under the weather? Soothe your sore throat with honey and lemon tea. Feeling flat? Get energised with a matcha latte. Perfect for keeping your entire body warm, tea is an essential when you're in need of a 'pick-me-up' on a chilly winter day.
What makes this warm goodness even more wonderful is that each cup provides an abundance of health benefits. Let's break it down - there are two types of teas: true teas and herbal teas. True teas include: Green tea, white tea, oolong tea, and black tea, they are made using the leaves of the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, which is loaded with antioxidants. These are the real deal.
Herbal teas are made by infusing fruits, roots, herbs, leaves, and stems of a variety of plants. They don't contain caffeine which is why herbal teas are known to be calming, making them perfect for those relaxing moments! However, research has shown that true teas provide more proven health benefits than herbal teas due to their high antioxidant content, so if you're looking for a few more antioxidants, stick to the true teas.
Here are four epic benefits of drinking tea that'll have you sippin' away all day long:
☕ GIVES YOU AN ENERGY BOOST
True teas contain both caffeine and l-theanine (an amino acid), which heighten your mental alertness and help you to focus. L-Theanine slows the absorption of caffeine so the energy boost from tea is much longer-lasting and more steady than the instant caffeine hit you get from a cup of coffee. You'll get the increased focus and energy without the negative side effects or the caffeine crash. This makes tea a great alternative to coffee if you're looking to improve your energy and focus without consuming a lot of caffeine.
☕ HYDRATES YOUR BODY
Although H2O is the optimal fluid for rehydrating your body after exercise or a long day in the office, recent research has found that up to 6-8 cups of tea daily is just as hydrating as the same amount of water. So if you need a lil break from plain water during the day, reach for a tea to spice up your hydration routine.☕ IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH & RELAXATION
All types of tea offer natural calming effects that can help you unwind after a busy day. Herbal teas are perfect for those moments when you need to de-stress, calm your nerves and balance your mind. They also have a relaxing effect on the body as they contain herbs and spices (such as ginger) that are anti-inflammatory.In addition to helping you focus, the amino acid in true teas, l-theanine, is known for helping fight symptoms of anxiety and promoting stress relief. Matcha, a type of powdered green tea traditionally consumed in Japan, is especially high in l-theanine, so you may want to consider swapping out your daily coffee for a cup of green matcha goodness for maximum mental (and physical) health benefits.
☕ SUPPORTS YOUR GUT
Research shows that the antioxidants in true teas can benefit gut bacteria, leading to a number of positive health effects, as your gut contains 70-80% of your immune system. In addition, herbal teas, in particular blends containing peppermint or ginger, may help support your digestive system, soothe an upset stomach and reduce nausea.
What better reason could you possibly find to indulge in this wonderful goodness that is tea? Of course, as with anything, you can have too much of a good thing. Be careful not to overload yourself with too much caffeine and be mindful of the added sugars and sweeteners in the teas you're sipping. And remember, tea is meant to supplement a healthy diet, so make sure you're getting all the good stuff on board while you sip away! 🥕🥬🍎🍌🥑
And that’s a wrap on another fabulous wellness Wednesday tip from us here at JAYD. If you have any questions or have any recommendations (tea flavours included) on things you would like to hear from us. Flick us a DM, our inbox is always open 💌
LOVE JAYD XX