The Simple Cup of Tea

Tea is such a lovely beverage. Whether you prefer black tea or green tea, I recommend you go organic. Hold the heavy metals and cancer-causing pesticides please! Organic tea is quite accessible these days in loose and tea bag form. Yes, we are exposed to these contaminants in other ways, but why increase your risk when there are other options? Remember, your body is the only vehicle you have to travel through this life!

Black tea and green tea both contain antioxidants called polyphenols, but green tea delivers a more powerful punch. Green tea contains significant amounts of EGCG (epigallocatechin-2-gallate) which has been shown in studies to increase immunity and reduce inflammation. It is the antioxidants in green tea that seem to be responsible for these positive effects from reducing risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis to cancer. The jury's not out yet, but the research thus far is pretty convincing.

It is also rich in theanine, an amino acid that helps you to relax without making you sleepy. So we have a drink that has some caffeine but at the same time a substance that slows things down a little. Now we can all use that, right?! Add the bonus of helping you increase your metabolism just a little, and you have the perfect drink. Studies have demonstrated that green tea can increase your ability to oxidize fat.

You can prepare green tea very much like black tea---hot or cold. There is significant evidence that adding dairy milk can reduce the antioxidant properties of tea. Can you use other milks and not have this effect? We are not sure because there has not been enough research into this question. Even if you add a milk, you will still be benefiting to some degree, so don't hesitate.

Two words of caution. First, if you suffer from kidney stones, be careful about your tea consumption because it contains oxalates. Second, consumption of tea can reduce your absorption of non-heme iron (iron from plant sources rather than animal); so if you are a vegetarian or are anemic, do not drink tea with your meals. You do not want to do anything to impair your ability to absorb iron. You can drink your tea away from your main meal times.

Unfortunately, most of us have forgotten how to simply relax. There are many ways to do this, but what is easier than sitting by the window for a few moments with a lovely cup of tea! Ah.....on a rainy day like today I can think of nothing more sublime!