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The
Chinese drank green, black, and oolong teas over 1200 years ago for their
medicinal purposes. So it comes as no surprise that, today, tea is receiving
accolades for its health benefits.
Tea
contains fluoride, which is a necessary mineral for bone development.
The flavonoids in tea act as antioxidants,
which are responsible for promoting bone density mass.
These flavonoids may also protect the body from some cancers and heart
disease.
One
of the latest scientific studies in England focused on women over 65 who drank
one to six cups of black tea a day. The
results showed that tea drinkers had stronger bones than non-tea drinkers.
In
a recent Taiwanese study, conducted over the course of ten years, the bone
density of tea drinkers increased by four to six percent more than that of
non-tea drinkers. Tea drinkers of six to
ten years had higher bone mineral density in the lumbar spine, with those
drinking tea for more than ten years having higher bone mineral density in all
body sites.
Drinking
tea reduces stress, lowers the risk of stroke, lowers LDL cholesterol levels,
increases HDL levels, strengthens the immune system, promotes digestion,
inhibits growth of bacteria in the mouth, reduces blood pressure, and may
prevent colon, lung, and skin cancer.
Researchers
at Newcastle University recently reported that drinking green and black teas may
help boost memory. Both teas inhibited
the activity of an enzyme found in protein deposits of patients with
Alzheimer’s. This green tea activity
lasted for one week, whereas black tea’s enzyme-inhibiting effect lasted for
one day.
A
recent study of American women of Asian heritage, aged 25 to 74, who had breast
cancer, compared with similar healthy women, showed that women who consumed
green tea on a regular basis had a lower risk of breast cancer. Drinking only half a cup of green tea per day showed a 47% decrease
in breast cancer.
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Types
of tea
Green,
white, yellow, oolong, and black teas all come from the Camellia sinensis,
an evergreen bush originally grown only in China, where its cultivation and
production were closely guarded secrets. More
than 3,000 varieties are available within these tea groups.
The
methods of processing the leaves affect the color of the finished product and
result in fermented (or oxidized), semi-fermented, and non-fermented teas.
Black
teas
Fermented,
to be drunk plain or with milk or lemon.
Health
benefits: Strengthen immune system,
promote digestion, inhibit growth of bacteria in mouth, and strengthen bone density.
Some
common types of black teas are ...
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Darjeeling,
a delicate tea with a muscatel flavor, referred to as "the Champagne of
teas."
-
Earl
Grey, a scented blend with a delicate fragrance of oil of bergamot.
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Ceylon,
a delicate bright tea with a smooth flavor. Excellent
for iced tea.
-
Keemun,
a sweet-flavored red liquor, often called the "Burgundy of teas."
-
Lapsang
Souchong, a large-leaf tea with a distinctive smoky flavor produced by
smoking the tea over oak or pine chips.
Serve hot without milk.
Green,
white, and yellow teas
Non-fermented,
to be drunk plain.
Health
benefits: Rich in vitamin C, selenium
(prevents aging), and fluoride; lowers blood pressure; promotes digestion.
Some
common teas in this category are ...
-
Gunpowder,
a fragrant yellow-green liquor made from pellet shapes of unfermented
leaves; produced in China and Taiwan. Used
to brew mint tea in North Africa and Turkey.
-
Lung
Ching, also known as Dragon’s Well, a fragrant jade liquor with a
sweet taste, made up of leaf buds.
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Yin
Zhen, or Silver Needles, a white liquor of delicate sweetness from
Fujian. Plucked two days a year when
the leaves resemble silver needles; expensive, but contains no caffeine or
tannin.
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Sencha,
a clear green liquor rich in Vitamin C.
Oolong
teas
Semi-fermented,
to be drunk plain.
Health
benefits: Help lower cholesterol and high
blood pressure.
Some
common oolong teas are ...
-
Grand
Pouchong Imperial, a delicate liquor of an amber hue with a smooth,
sweet taste.
-
Ti
Kuan Yin, an amber liquor with the taste and aroma of ripe peaches.
With
such a wide choice of teas, tea drinkers can find more than one to drink on a
regular basis for pleasure as well as health.
Savour
the aroma ... and enjoy!
Sources
Mitscher,
Lester A. and Dolby, Victoria, The Green
Tea Book. Garden City Park, New
York; Avery Publishing Group, 1998.
Gaynor,
Mitchell L., M.D. and Hickey, Gerald P., R.Ph., Dr.
Gaynor’s Cancer Prevention Program, Kensington, 1999.
Copyright
© 1998-2006 by Dolores Snyder. All rights reserved.
Dolores
Snyder is the author of Tea Time Entertaining and is
a Cordon Bleu chef. Visit her website.
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