Health Benefits of Drinking Tea

Whether your an avid tea drinker or don't drink tea at all, you will learn why drinking tea on a regular basis can improve your overall health and help your body fight off disease.  You'll also learn the history of tea and find some pretty good tea brand suggestions.

Dental Health

Tea contains a small amount of natural fluoride, with mature leaves containing as much as 10 to 20 times the flouride levels of young leaves from the same plant.  Fluoride is a chemical that can help prevent tooth decay. When fluoride mixes with saliva, bacteria can’t produce the acid by-products that promote cavities.  Additionally, fluoride works to repair teeth in the early stages of tooth decay.

Promotes Healthy Sleep

Herbal teas are popularly used for facilitating restful sleep and relieving sleep disorders such as insomnia. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends chamomile, lime blossom, valerian and St. John's wort herbal teas for treating occasional sleep problems. These teas contain properties that help relax the nervous system, induce sleep and relieve muscle spasms.

Relieves Nausea

Drinking teas such as ginger, lemon balm, red raspberry leaf and peppermint leaf teas are recommended, particularly during pregnancy or as a result of taking medication. These herbal teas help to relieve morning sickness as well as other signs and symptoms of pregnancy, such as sleeplessness, fatigue, body swelling and irritable mood. Though these teas do not contain caffeine and are considered safe for pregnant women, it is important to consult a doctor before consuming herbal teas regularly.

Treats Cold and Flu Symptoms

Herbal teas are also popular for treating cold and flu symptoms. Teas containing ginger, lemon, honey, ephedra, goldenseal, cinnamon, echinacea, peppermint or hyssops are commonly used to relieve cold and flu symptoms such as sore throat, coughing, nasal congestion, sinus pain and body aches. These herbal teas contain many anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

Calms Anxiety

Psychological and related disorders such as anxiety, nervousness, depression, lethargy, fatigue, low energy and headaches may be treated with herbal tea, such as green tea and yerba mate. This health benefit may occur partly because these herbal teas contain low concentrations of caffeine, which stimulates brain receptors to boost energy, calm anxiety and relieve headache pain.