Everyone knows the innumerable health benefits that tea has! In fact, tea was used as a medicine for close to 5,000 years in ancient India as well as in China. Many would be surprised to know that our habit of drinking tea regularly contributes to our good health and reduces the chances of us visiting the doctor! Research shows that the Camellia Sinesis plant which is the source of all the delicious tea that we consume has medicinal properties that ranges from keeping your heart healthy to making your skin glow! It is, therefore, not surprising that tea and immunity has a very close relationship.
Everyone is well aware of the fact that tea is rich in antioxidants. Tea leaves are also enriched with chemicals like Polyphenols and Flavonoids which have strong antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidants in tea and immunity that we possess are intimately related and help improve our defense mechanism and fight diseases like common cold and headaches.
Tea contains certain chemicals like alkalymines which are present in several disease causing bacteria, fungi and parasites. Though this is present in relatively weak forms in tea, drinking copious amounts of it makes our immune system recognise and remember the chemicals thus making our ability to fight these disease-causing elements better. Hence, it is quite evident that the connection between tea and immunity goes as deep as our favourite beverage’s chemical composition.
But most of us in today’s world live extremely fast-paced lifestyles and more often than not, taking care of our own health and body goes down on our list of priorities. The regular stresss from our work, studies and personal lives take a toll on our self-care routine. However, we love to have a cuppa of our favourite tea to maintain our immunity and keep us feeling great! Here are a few of our go-to brews.
- Chamomile Tea: This tea is the best company before bed time. It relaxes you and induces sleep while having the ability to counter insomnia. It also increases the production of the most important element of the immunity system – the white blood cells and therefore, strengthens our ability to fight diseases. It also helps us destress and stimulates sleep which in turn leads to a better and healthier lifestyle.
- Green Tea: We have sang enough praises about this healthy variety of tea but let’s just say, we cannot emphasise enough on the number of positive qualities this has. It is easily one of the healthiest beverage alternatives that is readily available to us. Add on to that, it also boosts our immunity!
- Matcha Tea: This Japanese favourite has more than one health benefit. It is extremely rich in amino acid L-theanine which increases alertness, cognitive abilities and strengthens immunity.
- Rose Tea: This flavourful tea is loaded with polyphenols. These are phytochemicals that function as antioxidants to safeguard cells and fortify our immune systems.
Together with a healthy diet, this powerful beverage can enhance your well-being and help you live a more wholesome lifestyle. Thus, a cup of warm tea and immunity do indeed have the strongest bond!
