Tea & Your Health
"Better to be deprived of food for three days than tea for one" (Ancient Chinese Proverb)
Fight Cancer & Heart Disease
Tea contains antioxidant compounds of polyphenols that help the body fight harmful free radicals. It is believed that harmful free radical can lead to cancer and heart disease. Tea also contains flavonoids that restricts the build up of cholesterols and help with blood vessel functionality.
Protects Teeth & Strengthens Bones
Polyphenols found in tea may reduce plaque, which lowers your chance of cavity and gum disease. Tea also contains fluoride that helps protect against tooth decay. Fluoride is extracted from the soil by the tea plant. This identified mineral also strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis.
Improves Digestion
The polyphenols in tea help with digestion of fatty food by increasing the flow of digestive juices.
Prevent Food Poisoning
The catechins in tea are a powerful sterilizing agent, which kills germs and bacteria. Tea prevents food poisoning by fighting against stomach diseases caused by harmful bacterias.
Look and Feel Younger
Studies suggested that the high concentration of antioxidants in tea have an anti-aging effect.
Strengthen the Immune System
Vitamin C in green tea helps to treat the flu and the common cold. Moreover, the polyphenols in tea have shown to increase the number of white blood cells in our immune system.
Prevent Dehydration
Tea is a good source of fluid intake that replenishes lost body liquid. Doctors recommend that it is vital to drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid a day. Tea is low in calorie and it is a great thirst quencher.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Western Tea History
Western tea history: Who first introduced tea to Europe?
In 1560, a Persian merchant – named Ramusio, who had visited China during his business trip, wrote a book about his journey. It was named Voyages and Travels. In this book, Ramusio included lots of information about tea as a medicinal drink of the East. This was the first tea book in introduced to the West in the tea history.
Western tea history: Who first transported tea from East to West?
The demand for tea increased as its popularity continues to grow. But because the weather and the conditions in the West aren’t suitable to cultivate tea, Western people had to reply on China and Japan to supply the tea.
That means Europeans must think of a way to transport tea from Asia back to Europe in a timely manner. By 16th century, the Portuguese were the first to transport tea by sea from China.
During the tea history, the Portuguese’s newly-found way of transportation proved to be very profitable. Because the Portuguese were able to transport such large load of tea in efficient way, they were able to lower the price of tea. Thus Venetian merchants started to lose business.
Western tea history: Problems with the Chinese in trading?
Although the Chinese were hesitant to trade with the West, the tremendous profit from the tea industry outweighed the cost.
In the middle of 16th century, the Chinese government set up a trading center on the island of Macao in the Canton River. This trading center was placed far away from China mainland to avoid any surprise attack from the West. Religious missionaries played an important part in the tea history. They were the pioneers in introducing tea to the West.
Western tea history: What is the famous trading place for tea in the west
During the time when Asian countries and European countries established commodity trading, Venice was a famous trading place in the tea history. Goods from Asia were transported to Venice to be traded with commodities of the West. Tea and tea accessories became fascinating objects for Western merchants.
What is the connection between religion and tea?
One example was Father Gasper da Cruz, who visited China in 1560, came back and was utterly fascinated by the bitter yet beneficial drink of the East. Another missionary was Father Matteo Ricci, who came to China in 1598. Father Matteo was amazed by the benefits of this drink. He sent home a journal with countless information about the green tea drink.
Tea shipping to Europe began to increase significantly. In the beginning of 17 century, the Dutch East India Company was established and became prominent in the tea industry. Optimistic as it seemed, during this time of the tea history until the end of 17th century, only social elites could afford tea. Tea was still unknown to the majority of people.
How teas become the drink of working-class people?
But as the tea industry proved to be extremely lucrative, larger and heavier loads of tea were carried to the West. As the supply surged, the price slowly declined. Common people were able to afford tea. Tea quickly spread throughout Europe without brake.
As tea drinking became more sophisticated in the West, the demand for tea accessories such as silk, porcelain cups and tea pots also climbed up. Further more, several European countries started to develop their own tea rituals and ceremonies. England was the one stand out in the tea history.
Western tea history: what is the conflict between giant tea companies?
Tea was integrated deeply into Englishmen’s way of life that it finally becomes the symbol of England. In 1600, British East India Company emerged to handle the England’s tea business in China. But there was fierce competition between the Dutch and the British East India Company. They constantly competed for territories and suppliers.
Unlike the Dutch company, the British company was in a quarrel with the Chinese government over trading policies. After the British East India Company lost its prominent place in China’s tea industry it turned to India for tea supply.
In the tea history of the West, tea was first sold to the public in England in 1657 at Garway’s Coffee House. The business was very successful for the sellers knew how to stress on the health benefits of tea. Due to the high demand of this wonderful drink, tea was gradually added to the menus of most of coffee and tea houses throughout England.
Western tea history: What part did the royal family play in bringing tea to the West?
In the middle of 17th century, King Charles II married a Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza. Because of the Portuguese’s obsession with tea, Catherine brought some of that passion to England.
By 1684, England was able to secure a tea factory in Canton. 5 years later, the first ship- The princess, transported tea directly from this factory back to England. When tea was well-known to the English people, it also began its journey to Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and France. But in Germany and France, tea still couldn’t compete with beers and red wine.
In 1560, a Persian merchant – named Ramusio, who had visited China during his business trip, wrote a book about his journey. It was named Voyages and Travels. In this book, Ramusio included lots of information about tea as a medicinal drink of the East. This was the first tea book in introduced to the West in the tea history.
Western tea history: Who first transported tea from East to West?
The demand for tea increased as its popularity continues to grow. But because the weather and the conditions in the West aren’t suitable to cultivate tea, Western people had to reply on China and Japan to supply the tea.
That means Europeans must think of a way to transport tea from Asia back to Europe in a timely manner. By 16th century, the Portuguese were the first to transport tea by sea from China.
During the tea history, the Portuguese’s newly-found way of transportation proved to be very profitable. Because the Portuguese were able to transport such large load of tea in efficient way, they were able to lower the price of tea. Thus Venetian merchants started to lose business.
Western tea history: Problems with the Chinese in trading?
Although the Chinese were hesitant to trade with the West, the tremendous profit from the tea industry outweighed the cost.
In the middle of 16th century, the Chinese government set up a trading center on the island of Macao in the Canton River. This trading center was placed far away from China mainland to avoid any surprise attack from the West. Religious missionaries played an important part in the tea history. They were the pioneers in introducing tea to the West.
Western tea history: What is the famous trading place for tea in the west
During the time when Asian countries and European countries established commodity trading, Venice was a famous trading place in the tea history. Goods from Asia were transported to Venice to be traded with commodities of the West. Tea and tea accessories became fascinating objects for Western merchants.
What is the connection between religion and tea?
One example was Father Gasper da Cruz, who visited China in 1560, came back and was utterly fascinated by the bitter yet beneficial drink of the East. Another missionary was Father Matteo Ricci, who came to China in 1598. Father Matteo was amazed by the benefits of this drink. He sent home a journal with countless information about the green tea drink.
Tea shipping to Europe began to increase significantly. In the beginning of 17 century, the Dutch East India Company was established and became prominent in the tea industry. Optimistic as it seemed, during this time of the tea history until the end of 17th century, only social elites could afford tea. Tea was still unknown to the majority of people.
How teas become the drink of working-class people?
But as the tea industry proved to be extremely lucrative, larger and heavier loads of tea were carried to the West. As the supply surged, the price slowly declined. Common people were able to afford tea. Tea quickly spread throughout Europe without brake.
As tea drinking became more sophisticated in the West, the demand for tea accessories such as silk, porcelain cups and tea pots also climbed up. Further more, several European countries started to develop their own tea rituals and ceremonies. England was the one stand out in the tea history.
Western tea history: what is the conflict between giant tea companies?
Tea was integrated deeply into Englishmen’s way of life that it finally becomes the symbol of England. In 1600, British East India Company emerged to handle the England’s tea business in China. But there was fierce competition between the Dutch and the British East India Company. They constantly competed for territories and suppliers.
Unlike the Dutch company, the British company was in a quarrel with the Chinese government over trading policies. After the British East India Company lost its prominent place in China’s tea industry it turned to India for tea supply.
In the tea history of the West, tea was first sold to the public in England in 1657 at Garway’s Coffee House. The business was very successful for the sellers knew how to stress on the health benefits of tea. Due to the high demand of this wonderful drink, tea was gradually added to the menus of most of coffee and tea houses throughout England.
Western tea history: What part did the royal family play in bringing tea to the West?
In the middle of 17th century, King Charles II married a Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza. Because of the Portuguese’s obsession with tea, Catherine brought some of that passion to England.
By 1684, England was able to secure a tea factory in Canton. 5 years later, the first ship- The princess, transported tea directly from this factory back to England. When tea was well-known to the English people, it also began its journey to Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and France. But in Germany and France, tea still couldn’t compete with beers and red wine.
Learning about Herbal Tea
Learning about Herbal Tea
On this page we'll have a look at herbal tea, which are also called "tisanes", explore some common varieties, and learn about the many health benefits these very different brews can offer us.
Now although I'm not a fan of all herbals, there are a select few that I do enjoy. Especially olive leaf, rooibos, and peppermint tea!
Herbal teas are not considered "true" teas; they are different. Tisanes are simply an infusion of hot water mixed with the leaves, seeds, roots, barks, flowers, fruits, stems, and nuts of other plants, and do not come from the same Camellia sinensis bush which produce our traditional white, green, oolong, and black teas.
There is a wide selection of these herbal brews to enjoy, with each one offering its own health benefits, which will be discussed on their focused pages.
Chamomile tea: the sweet tasting brew from Chamomile tea has been used for many generations. This herbal treat can help aid digestion, stomach pain, and give one a good nights sleep.
Lemon grass tea: lemon grass tea is an herbal infusion that has a zesty, lemony, and refreshing taste. This herbal beverage also shows evidence of having antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Herbal green tea: herbal green tea is a beverage that takes the leaves of green tea and combines it with the flowers, leaves, and roots of other herbs enhancing the already great health benefits and taste.
Essiac tea: essiac tea is a blend of herbs which some believe when brewed may have cancer treating abilities. This interesting herbal infusion may help other health disorders as well.
Ginger tea: ginger has been used for ages by many cultures to fight colds as well as a cooking spice. Modern claims suggest ginger tea may help with migraines and arthritis.
Peppermint tea: one of my favorite herbals, this tea has a nice minty taste that when consumed helps with various stomach disorders, one of which is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Also, the flavor is not as overwhelming as folks may think.
Spearmint tea: another mint tea, spearmint like its cousin peppermint helps sooth and relax the stomach and bowel. However, unlike peppermint tea, I found spearmint to have more of a slightly sweeter taste. Very refreshing when drunk cold!
On this page we'll have a look at herbal tea, which are also called "tisanes", explore some common varieties, and learn about the many health benefits these very different brews can offer us.
Now although I'm not a fan of all herbals, there are a select few that I do enjoy. Especially olive leaf, rooibos, and peppermint tea!
Herbal teas are not considered "true" teas; they are different. Tisanes are simply an infusion of hot water mixed with the leaves, seeds, roots, barks, flowers, fruits, stems, and nuts of other plants, and do not come from the same Camellia sinensis bush which produce our traditional white, green, oolong, and black teas.
There is a wide selection of these herbal brews to enjoy, with each one offering its own health benefits, which will be discussed on their focused pages.
Chamomile tea: the sweet tasting brew from Chamomile tea has been used for many generations. This herbal treat can help aid digestion, stomach pain, and give one a good nights sleep.
Lemon grass tea: lemon grass tea is an herbal infusion that has a zesty, lemony, and refreshing taste. This herbal beverage also shows evidence of having antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Herbal green tea: herbal green tea is a beverage that takes the leaves of green tea and combines it with the flowers, leaves, and roots of other herbs enhancing the already great health benefits and taste.
Essiac tea: essiac tea is a blend of herbs which some believe when brewed may have cancer treating abilities. This interesting herbal infusion may help other health disorders as well.
Ginger tea: ginger has been used for ages by many cultures to fight colds as well as a cooking spice. Modern claims suggest ginger tea may help with migraines and arthritis.
Peppermint tea: one of my favorite herbals, this tea has a nice minty taste that when consumed helps with various stomach disorders, one of which is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Also, the flavor is not as overwhelming as folks may think.
Spearmint tea: another mint tea, spearmint like its cousin peppermint helps sooth and relax the stomach and bowel. However, unlike peppermint tea, I found spearmint to have more of a slightly sweeter taste. Very refreshing when drunk cold!
Cup of Tea a Day Called Healthy
All About Tea
Tea is the world’s most popular nonalcoholic beverage. Most tea is grown in India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Indonesia from a shrub in the camellia family. Like coffees, the best-quality teas are grown in the shade at high altitudes, and the finest leaves are plucked from the youngest shoots and unopened leaf buds, which also contain the highest levels of phenols, enzymes, and caffeine. Researchers are discovering evidence that tea may offer not only soothing warmth and mild stimulation, but also health benefits.
An Antioxidant Brew
Tea contains hundreds of compounds, including various flavonoids, a class of chemical with powerful antioxidant properties. A subclass of flavonoids, the catechins, is responsible for the flavour as well as many of the beneficial health effects of tea.
The extent to which these compounds are present in the final beverage depends on how the leaves are processed. To make black tea, the dried leaves are crushed to liberate enzymes, which react with the catechins over a few hours to produce changes in color and flavor. This is often referred to as “fermentation.” Green tea is not fermented, it is made by first steaming the leaves to halt any enzyme activity. Oolong tea is partially fermented. The highest concentration of catechins is found in green tea, although black tea is also a good source. Brand-name teas are mixtures of as many as 20 different varieties of leaves, blended to ensure a consistent flavor.
A cup of hot brewed tea has only 2 calories and—with one exception in green tea—no appreciable vitamins or minerals, except for fluoride. Green tea contains vitamin K, a nutrient needed for normal blood clotting.
Drink to a Healthy Heart
The antioxidants in tea may explain the fact that people who drink a lot of tea are much less likely to die from heart disease. Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, making it less likely to stick to artery walls.
Stop Strokes
One study found that the risk of stroke was reduced by about 70 per cent in men who drank five or more cups of black tea a day, and other studies showed that the risk of having a heart attack was reduced by more than 40 per cent for men and women who consumed one or more cups of tea per day. Flavonoids may protect against stroke in two ways. They reduce the ability of blood platelets to form clots, the cause of most strokes. They also block some of the damage caused to arteries by free radicals, the unstable molecules that are released when the body consumes oxygen.
Cure for Cancer?
A number of studies have shown that tea offers protection against a variety of cancers. A type of catechin called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is thought to be responsible for tea’s anticancer properties. EGCG protects the DNA in cells from cancer-causing changes. It may also inhibit an enzyme that cancer cells need in order to replicate.
Antibacterial Power
The flavonoids in tea may suppress the growth of harmful bacteria, which helps prevent infections.
Tannins, which are found in wine as well as tea, are chemicals that bind surface proteins in the mouth, producing a tightening sensation together with giving the impression of a full-bodied liquid. They also bind and incapacitate plaque-forming bacteria in the mouth. The fluoride in tea—particularly green tea—also protects against tooth decay. Tea’s binding action makes it useful against diarrhea.
Bottoms Up to Breathe Easier
Naturally occurring theophyllines in tea dilate the airways in the lungs and have been found to help some people with asthma and other respiratory disorders to breathe more freely. In fact, theophyllines have been developed as drugs to treat asthma and other constrictive lung disorders.
Tea is the world’s most popular nonalcoholic beverage. Most tea is grown in India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Indonesia from a shrub in the camellia family. Like coffees, the best-quality teas are grown in the shade at high altitudes, and the finest leaves are plucked from the youngest shoots and unopened leaf buds, which also contain the highest levels of phenols, enzymes, and caffeine. Researchers are discovering evidence that tea may offer not only soothing warmth and mild stimulation, but also health benefits.
An Antioxidant Brew
Tea contains hundreds of compounds, including various flavonoids, a class of chemical with powerful antioxidant properties. A subclass of flavonoids, the catechins, is responsible for the flavour as well as many of the beneficial health effects of tea.
The extent to which these compounds are present in the final beverage depends on how the leaves are processed. To make black tea, the dried leaves are crushed to liberate enzymes, which react with the catechins over a few hours to produce changes in color and flavor. This is often referred to as “fermentation.” Green tea is not fermented, it is made by first steaming the leaves to halt any enzyme activity. Oolong tea is partially fermented. The highest concentration of catechins is found in green tea, although black tea is also a good source. Brand-name teas are mixtures of as many as 20 different varieties of leaves, blended to ensure a consistent flavor.
A cup of hot brewed tea has only 2 calories and—with one exception in green tea—no appreciable vitamins or minerals, except for fluoride. Green tea contains vitamin K, a nutrient needed for normal blood clotting.
Drink to a Healthy Heart
The antioxidants in tea may explain the fact that people who drink a lot of tea are much less likely to die from heart disease. Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, making it less likely to stick to artery walls.
Stop Strokes
One study found that the risk of stroke was reduced by about 70 per cent in men who drank five or more cups of black tea a day, and other studies showed that the risk of having a heart attack was reduced by more than 40 per cent for men and women who consumed one or more cups of tea per day. Flavonoids may protect against stroke in two ways. They reduce the ability of blood platelets to form clots, the cause of most strokes. They also block some of the damage caused to arteries by free radicals, the unstable molecules that are released when the body consumes oxygen.
Cure for Cancer?
A number of studies have shown that tea offers protection against a variety of cancers. A type of catechin called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is thought to be responsible for tea’s anticancer properties. EGCG protects the DNA in cells from cancer-causing changes. It may also inhibit an enzyme that cancer cells need in order to replicate.
Antibacterial Power
The flavonoids in tea may suppress the growth of harmful bacteria, which helps prevent infections.
Tannins, which are found in wine as well as tea, are chemicals that bind surface proteins in the mouth, producing a tightening sensation together with giving the impression of a full-bodied liquid. They also bind and incapacitate plaque-forming bacteria in the mouth. The fluoride in tea—particularly green tea—also protects against tooth decay. Tea’s binding action makes it useful against diarrhea.
Bottoms Up to Breathe Easier
Naturally occurring theophyllines in tea dilate the airways in the lungs and have been found to help some people with asthma and other respiratory disorders to breathe more freely. In fact, theophyllines have been developed as drugs to treat asthma and other constrictive lung disorders.
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