HealthyLife Articles

Tag: tea

  • Does Tea Make You Healthier?

    HEALTHY EATING

    A cup of tea.

    There are many claims about the health benefits of tea. Here are the facts we know:

    *  Tea contains small amounts of minerals. But it’s not enough to meet your needs. Eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.

    *  There is no solid evidence that tea can help with weight loss. Be wary of “weight loss teas,” as some may contain harmful ingredients.

    *  Tea contains antioxidants. They may help lower the risk of some health problems. Green tea and matcha tea may contain more polyphenols than other types of tea. Experts don’t know for sure that tea will prevent or cure any diseases, though.

    *  Processed teas and tea powders don’t contain as many antioxidants as fresh tea. Use tea leaves and tea bags for the most antioxidants.

    Tea can be part of a healthy eating plan. Steep your own tea and skip the added sugar.

    Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Matcha Tea: A Healthy Trend?

    HEALTHY EATING

    Matcha tea.

    Matcha tea is the latest healthy drink that’s showing up everywhere. But is it really that good for you?

    Matcha tea comes from the same plant as other teas – the Camellia sinensis plant. But, it’s grown and harvested in a different way than other types of tea. Here’s what makes it different:

    *  Growers cover the leaves for several weeks before picking them. This boosts chlorophyll and gives it a deep green color.

    *  Matcha leaves are then ground into a fine powder. People add the powder directly to drinks. This means they are consuming the whole tea leaf, which includes its nutrients.

    Studies show that matcha is high in antioxidents, with research ongoing to show possible health benefits. Try a matcha drink in place of regular tea or coffee. But stay away from matcha drinks or powder that contain lots of added cream or sugar.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Tea Time: Is Tea Good For You?

    HEALTHY EATING

    A tea pot with two cups of tea and lemons.

    Many people drink tea every day. The most popular teas are black, green and oolong. Matcha tea is also becoming more popular.

    Black, green, oolong and matcha teas come from a plant known as Camellia sinensis. Each of these teas looks and tastes different because of how they are processed.

    Caffeine content

    Tea, like coffee, naturally contains caffeine and can be different in each cup. If you steep your tea longer, it will have more caffeine than a quick steep.

    Estimates of the caffeine content per 8-ounce cup:

    *  Coffee: 95 milligrams

    *  Black tea: 48 milligrams

    *  Oolong tea: 38 milligrams

    *  Green tea: 29 milligrams

    *  Decaffeinated tea: Very small amounts

    Some tea packages will tell you how much caffeine it contains. Look for this on the product label.

    Watch your caffeine intake

    You can still drink too much caffeine from tea if you’re not careful. Too much caffeine can make you feel nervous or shaky. It can also make it hard for you to sleep.

    Most healthy adults can tolerate up to 400 milligrams of caffeine each day. People who are more sensitive to caffeine may need to consume much less than this amount.

    Decaf teas are a good option if you love tea but want to cut back on caffeine. They still contain only small amounts of caffeine.

    Are herbal teas really “tea”?

    Herbal teas are not made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis. Instead, they are made from the roots, leaves, flowers and other parts of certain plants.

    For instance, chamomile tea is made from chamomile flowers. Peppermint and spearmint teas are made from the plant’s leaves.

    Herbal teas don’t contain any caffeine. They are usually safe in regular amounts. But ask a doctor before you consume herbal tea if you are taking medicine or have any health conditions. These teas can interfere with some medications or cause side effects in some people.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Coffee And Tea

    Healthylife® Weigh

    Part 3

    Herbal tea.

    Coffee and tea drinks made with added ingredients can be a major source of sugar and saturated fat in your diet. The calories can also add up, pushing you over what your body needs for the day and not leaving enough room for nutrient-dense foods. Without anything added, coffee and tea drinks have fewer than 5 calories.

    Example chart of what to choose and not choose.

    If your favorite coffee or tea drink has more add-ins from the column on the right, save this drink for a special treat. Or, start to gradually cut back on how much of these you add to your drink. You can get used to new tastes. You may even like the new version better!

    Different teas can have a lot of natural flavor and sweetness. Experiment with lemon, chai, chamomile, fruit, and herbal teas.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine