The last several years have seen a significant rise in the demand for premium tea. It is the high-quality segment of tea, often loose-leaf and found only in certain areas. This trend is apparent not just in countries known for their elaborate tea culture but even in other parts of the world.
One common factor drives this emerging tea trend – the increasing popularity of a healthy lifestyle. Front and center in this movement are the millennials who are constantly searching for natural, pure, and organic ingredients.
Tea offers many health benefits, putting it right in the crosshairs of health-conscious people. Here are some ways that premium tea can contribute to good health.
It Helps Boost Many Brain Functions
Premium tea is rich in an amino acid called L-theanine. It is a compound that the human body does not produce naturally but is essential to health. It affects the levels of certain substances in the brain, including serotonin, cortisol, and dopamine. These chemicals play a significant role in your mood, emotion, sleeping patterns, and ability to cope with stress.
It Contains Helpful Bioactive Compounds
Aside from being a refreshing beverage, premium tea also contains a long list of bioactive substances that are good for the body. Among them are polyphenols, which help fight cancer and reduce the effects of inflammation. Catechins are also in this group of healthy compounds. These are antioxidants that prevent cell damage and offer many other benefits.
It Helps Burn Fats Faster
If you look closely at the leading fat burning supplements in the market, there is a high chance that tea is one of their ingredients. This is due to its ability to boost the metabolic rate and increase your body’s ability to burn fat. Many studies have supported this claim. While the results may vary slightly from one research to another, they all lead to the same conclusion.
It Has Anti-Microbial Properties
The best premium tea brands are rich in anti-microbial substances that can help prevent the growth of bacteria. This will stop the development of dental cavities and bad breath. The catechins in the tea inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, which is a common bacterium that causes the formation of plaque and contributes to tooth decay. It also lowers the risk of infections.
It Helps Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Studies have shown that drinking tea helps improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. This has led experts to believe that it could prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, which is characterised by the inability to produce insulin or insulin resistance.
It Helps Prevent Various Heart Conditions
Drinking premium tea can help increase the antioxidant capacity of the blood, preventing the LDL particles from being oxidised. This lowers the level of bad cholesterol, eliminating one of the major risk factors of various heart diseases.
It Helps Maintain a Healthy Immune System
While the antioxidants in tea are known for battling the signs of ageing, they offer more health benefits than maintaining a youthful look. These antioxidants are also essential in maintaining a healthy immune system.
Studies have shown that antioxidants help protect the immune responses of individuals who are exposed to free radicals. The same study showed that the effects of measles infection in children were significantly reduced. In the elderly, antioxidants were also proven to boost tumor immunity.
