Saturday, February 27, 2010

Tea Drinkers Unite

While most of the world enjoys their morning coffee, I start off my day with a hot cup of tea. The sweet aroma and smooth taste helps jumpstart my brain for the busy day ahead. I’ve been a tea drinker for years, but I’ve just recently learned about the added benefits. Perhaps one of the most important reasons you should drink tea is that it is an easy way to get your antioxidants. Antioxidants are important because they help your body fight against the excess free radicals. Clearing out the free radicals can help prevent heart disease and cancer, reduce blood pressure and slow the effects of aging. Besides tea, antioxidants are found in a variety of berries, broccoli, tomatoes, garlic, red grapes, spinach, carrots, and many whole grains.


Tea can also act as Draino for your arteries. Keeping your arteries clear of blood clots will greatly reduce your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. “A 5.6-year study from the Netherlands found a 70 percent lower risk of fatal heart attack in people who drank at least two to three cups of black tea daily compared to non-tea drinkers.” (Lynn Grieger) Tea also helps strengthen your immune system from everyday illnesses.


In the past, I have watched many of my family and friends grow very dependent upon caffeine. Their dependency causes them headaches and even indigestion. By switching to tea, they could still get their much needed caffeine, but in smaller doses. On average, a cup of tea has about 100mg less caffeine than coffee or soda. Too much caffeine can lead to fatigue and dehydration. On the flip side, tea has been proven to aid in hydration. And since it is calorie free, you won’t be wasting your precious daily intake on a drink.


Some of my favorite teas are made by Lipton. If you are a new tea drinker, I would suggest you start with Lipton’s Bavarian Berry. This black tea’s smooth sweet taste will help keep you from adding any unneeded sugar. Other favorites of mine include Lipton’s Mixed Berry Green Tea, Lipton’s Blueberry White Tea, and Twining’s Pomegranate. What are your favorite teas?


Grab a latte (or a cup of tea), put up your feet, and join the discussion!

12 comments:

Papa said...

I'm with you. I really enjoy a good cup of hot, hot, hot tea in the morning - especially on cold winter mornings like we've been having. Some of the teas I enjoy are any kind of green tea (plain, mixed berry) or black tea (pomegranate, Irish, English, ginger peach). I think its even better sometimes to mix one green tea with a black tea (eg, pomegranate green and pomegranate black) so that you get the antioxidants of the green, but with the rich flavor of the black. Also, for some reason trying different types of teas makes me feel like I'm traveling abroad - like being in Ireland when drinking Irish tea. :-)

Kel said...

I've never had Irish tea. I'll have to try it next time I come over! :)

Julie said...

I have been a tea drinker for years - since my early twenties. I was fortunate enough to begin my tea-drinking in England. As a result, I like strong, black tea with a bit of sugar and milk. I special-order my favorite from the English tea store online. PG tips. It's the British version of Lipton only (IMHO) much better. I will also brew loose tea on the weekends which is magnificent and so much "fresher" tasting than tea bags.

I love the comment about "traveling abroad" with a cup of tea. So true! I feel that way when I drink chai spice tea - like I'm in an Indian bazaar. For beginning tea drinkers, I would also recommend Earl Grey or Lady Grey.

Sara said...

I love Liptons Mixed Berry Green tea, so tasty!

IASoupMama said...

Hi! I'm catching up from the Friday Follow and wanted to say that I am a tea drinker, too. Chai is my fave, but I love a strong Earl Gray with a splash of milk on a cold day. I drink herbal tea all day when pregnant. Happy Saturday from a new follower!

Kel said...

I've tried Chai a few times, but I must admit, it is not my favorite. I think I am so used to tea bags, that loose tea feels too gritty. Maybe I'm just making it incorrectly.

everyday mom of one said...

I love all types of tea. My morning tea is English Blend black tea. I love a good strong black tea. Spiced teas aren't my favorite but I am not opposed to them either :)

Unknown said...

I've heard a lot of good things about the tea from the tea store, Teavana. (www.teavana.com). They have a store in Fair Oaks and Tysons. Have not tried it myself but I hope to soon. I enjoy green tea with honey and cranberry tea with honey. But I am definitely a coffee drinker most of the time ;)

savvybrown said...

oooh. I'm a big fan of tea. I drink it, use it as astringent, make mouthwash with it, even rinse my hair with it! My favorite herbals are peppermint, red bush (roobios), and ginger-lemongrass. I also love english Breakfast with a little cream (my mother's from Bermuda, it's a staple). Another great tea company is The Republic of Tea.

Kel said...

I love that there are so many tea drinkers that can give me new ideas for teas to try! Thanks everyone for reading!

Lisa said...

I put a little splenda and half n half in my herb tea. Delicious!

Kelly's Lucky You said...

Yesterday, I tried Ginger Peach Decaf from The Republic of Tea and I love it! The flavor seems like it would stand up to ice as well. It's not an "every-day" tea for me, but nice occasionally.