Tea & Health Tips

The lovely Ali Silk, owner of  Teahorse, the loose tea subscription service, has taken time out of her busy day to talk to us about the health benefits of tea.  Teahorse are offering readers a 25% discount on their first month’s order of their loose tea subscription service.  The code is THSW25

Tea has long been thought to possess a multitude of health benefits and recently, scientists have been publishing research that proves what a wonderful tonic, as well as a delicious drink, tea can be.

It’s not just green tea that offers these benefits, either. Any tea you drink will be full of antioxidants ready to give you a health boost. The beauty of loose tea is the variety of flavours on offer, so if you’re not keen on the flavour of one, just try another! Each does have slightly different levels of antioxidants, depending on how it is produced.

1. For a happy heart – black teas have been shown to help reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Results suggest that drinking three cups of tea a day can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

2. For a happy head – black tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that works on the brain to increase serotonin, dopamine and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), helping to bring levels of the stress hormone back to normal and reducing mental and physical stress, whilst also boosting concentration and even helping symptoms of PMS.

Try our 2^nd Flush Assam from India for a malty, rich breakfast cup, Ceylon Uva OP1 from Sri Lanka for a zingy, refreshing cup or black Keemum Mao Feng for a fragrant tea with cocoa flavours. If you fancy something a little more exotic, try Lapsang Souchong Osprey, dried over pine fires to give it a distinctive smoky flavour or Chocolate Peppermint – a calorie-free treat!

3. For great skin – Green and white teas are packed full of antioxidants called catechins. Using loose leaves (rather than tea bags), you’ll get even higher levels – three cups of green tea are said to have 8 times more antioxidants than one apple! These antioxidants combat free radicals in the body, fighting the signs of ageing and protecting against skin damage caused by the sun or the environment.

4. For all-round goodness – In their fight against free radicals that cause cell damage, the antioxidants in tea, particularly the high levels of catechins in green tea, have been proven to fight cancer cells, reduce the risk of diabetes and protect against brain disease like Alzheimer’s. The alkaloids in green tea also promote energy. Regularly tea-drinking will help to maintain all-round health.

Try our green Sencha or Mao Feng – both easy-drinking, fresh-tasting green teas without any bitterness – or White Peony, a delicate, lightly nutty white tea.

5. For a happy stomach – Mint helps digestion and soothes the stomach, great after a big meal or if you’re feeling a little queasy. Our Mint Detox tea contains peppermint, aniseed, liquorice and fennel, a potent combination for cleansing the body of toxins, improving digestion and relieving bloating. A happy stomach also helps with gaining a flatter stomach. The catechins in green and oolong teas are believed to boost the metabolism which, along with a healthy diet and some exercise, could help weight loss.

6. A runny nose – Whether it’s from colds and flu or hayfever, tea can help. White tea has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. Combine this with herbs such as lemon verbena, lemongrass and Echinacea, which boost the immune-system and fight colds with antibacterial effects amongst others, and you have the perfect light, citrusy antidote to a summer cold. White Twist is a bespoke blend we created especially to be high in antioxidants and to boost the immune system – available from teahorse.co.uk/shop

The ingredients in our Mint Detox tea, peppermint, aniseed, liquorice and fennel, also work to relieve and clear nasal, sinus and chest congestion. Peppermint is a natural decongestant and the herbs in both teas are anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, which can improve symptoms of hayfever.

To keep up your tea drinking in the summer without over-heating, try our Summer Strawberry Iced Tea recipe, using fresh strawberries, mint and lime for a healthy thirst-quencher. http://teahorse.co.uk/info/iced-tea/

Cold-brewing tea is also a great way to gently draw out the goodness and flavours of teas, especially for white, green or oolong teas. We recommend cold-brewing Dong Ding Oolong – have a look at our recipe here: http://teahorse.co.uk/info/cold-brewing-tea/