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Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, second only to water, and we’re uncovering what the best tea for the immune system is, the best herbal tea, and the other awesome health benefits of tea.
Besides being one of the most delicious caffeine options (yeah, we said it out loud, coffee), tea is basically a super drink!
Black, green, oolong, herbal and white teas all come from a single plant called Camellia Sinensis. Many studies suggest that the antioxidants and various vitamins and minerals contained in tea brewed from this plant really do a body good.
Use the links below to quickly navigate this guide:
- What Is The Best Tea For The Immune System?
- Other Health Benefits of Tea
- Does Green Tea Lower Blood Pressure?
- Does All Tea Have Caffeine?
- Is Iced Tea Good For You?
What Is The Best Tea For The Immune System?
You may be wondering what the best tea for the immune system is? Or if tea is even good for immunity at all?!
The good news is that yes, tea is great for immunity! So is green tea best? Or black? The answer really lies in which one you like better! You may hear green tea being touted as great for immunity; this is because green tea contains tannins that help to combat viruses such as the common cold and influenza.
Black tea can also boost the immune system as well. It also contains tannins, plus alkylamine which has a direct connection with boosting your immune system.
Besides black and green, there are lots of other teas that are specifically formulated for immunity with well-known immune-boosting ingredients. The best tea for immune system include:
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Licorice Root
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Lemongrass
- Hibiscus
Again, the best tea for the immune system is the one you like best! Herbal teas are great for immunity, so if you find one you like, drink on!
Some Get Healthy U team favorites include:
- Egyptian Licorice Tea
- Throat Coat Lemon Echinacea
- Blueberry and Aloe Herbal Tea
- Stay Well Lemon and Echinacea
- Tazo Refresh Mint
- Organifi GOLD Tea (use coupon code CHRISFREYTAG for 20% off)
Here are eight other awesome health benefits of tea.
1) Tea Good For Digestion (Reduce Belly Fat)
If you’ve wondered whether or not tea is good for digestion, the answer is yes! Tea helps the body to metabolize rich foods and banish bloating. A study from the Journal of Nutrition also found that participants who consumed green tea AND maintained an exercise program (Green tea is not a “Get Out Of Exercise Free” card!) had a greater reduction in total abdominal fat area compared to a control group. Tea good for digestion includes:
- Peppermint
- Ginger
- Gentian root
- Fennel
- Angelica root
- Dandelion
- Senna
- Marshmallow root
2) Tea Protects Eyesight
Besides being one of the best tea for the immune system, here’s another reason to go green. A study from China found that the antioxidants in green tea can be absorbed deep inside your eyes, which may help protect them against disease.
3) Tea Strengthens Your Heart
A stronger heart could be correlated with a strong cup of tea. Studies have found that drinking three to four cups of tea a day can cut the chances of having a heart attack.
4) Tea Prevent Tooth Decay
Floss, brush, and drink tea? Yep. Tea contains fluoride, which can help prevent tooth decay.
5) Tea Reduces Wrinkles
Tea just might be your golden ticket to smooth skin. A study found that the extracts in white tea actually inhibited wrinkle production by strengthening elastin and collagen.
6) Tea Strengthens Bones
Got green tea? A study found that green tea can improve bone mineral density and strength. (Green tea mustaches are the next big thing, trust us.)
7) Tea Reduces Stress
A cuppa tea may just be the new yoga. A study by University College London found that people who drank black tea were able to de-stress more quickly than those who drank a fake tea substitute. And when you know you’re drinking the best tea for the immune system, that’s a great de-stressor too.
8) Tea Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can lead to a slew of medical problems including heart disease. A study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that drinking 3 cups of black tea for 6 months lowered systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.
Does Green Tea Lower Blood Pressure?
The study above cited that black tea can lower blood pressure but does green tea lower blood pressure as well? The good news is: yes, green tea lowers blood pressure as well! So whether you take your tea black or green, both can assist in lowering blood pressure.
The bottom line: Drinking tea does more than give your pinky a workout. The best tea for the immune system also has so many other health benefits.
Other Tea FAQs
Now that we’ve covered the best tea for the immune system and other healthful benefits of tea, let’s answer a few more frequently asked questions.
Does All Tea Have Caffeine?
While black and green tea have caffeine, not all teas contain caffeine. Chamomile is one of the most popular non-caffeinated teas. Herbal teas in general are non-caffeinated. Here are some of the best herbal teas:
- Peppermint
- Ginger
- Chamomile
Is Iced Tea Good For You?
Yes, iced tea can be just as good for you as hot tea. The one caveat is that iced tea tends to contain added sugar more often. Try to steer clear of sweetened iced teas that are loaded with sugar, but if you prefer to drink your tea iced, you can still receive all of the benefits above. We are currently in love with the Teavana Infusion Cup (of course we love pink) – an easy way to make iced tea.
The green tea ginger twist or the pomegranate look best – but all look yummy. Love tea!!
Omv i love the carolina honey and the mojitea! Delicious!
Hibiscus Tea Sangria sounds delish
They all sound really good! I’d like to try the Hibiscus Tea Sangria. Yum!!
They all sound great but I’d like to try Green Tea Ginger Twist.
The Green Tea with Ginger sounds great. Love the flavor of ginger
The green tea ginger twist sounds heavenly
Wow. Had no idea teas did all of that. Knew they were good for you but didn’t realize how good. Would love to try teas again. Especially the good for you brand teas.
Wow! Tea saves my day! 🙂
I’d like to try any of the green tea options!