A Cup of Tea a Day May Keep the Doctor Away
We are all familiar with the adage: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Our Elderly loved ones, being old-school, believe that there is a lot of truth in that proverb. But, can drinking a cup of tea a day help us keep the doctor away too? Well, that depends on what type of tea we are drinking, doesn’t it? Many teas are delicious, but not all teas are created equal. Some teas, besides being comforting hot beverages during the last, cold weeks of winter, have many antioxidants and healthy anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Tea
Some teas, which are very high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, may help with:
• prevention of heart disease and stroke
• prevention of high level of cholesterol and diabetes
• prevention of cancer
• protection against common cold and boosting of immune system
• prevention of gastrointestinal disorders
Black, White, Green, and Herbal Teas
Although black tea is the most popular tea on the market, green, white and herbal teas are considered healthier varieties. Green tea is naturally lower in caffeine. Herbal teas are generally caffeine-free.
There are many teas which include Superfruit™. Those teas contain Goji berry, Acai berry, Hibiscus, Raspberry, Blackberry, Pomegranate, Blueberry.
If Mom and Dad are sensitive to caffeine, they should limit their intake of caffeinated tea and enjoy herbal teas more often. Caffeinated tea is best enjoyed in the morning and early afternoon hours. Caffeine-free tea can be enjoyed anytime. However, to assure good night’s sleep, it is advisable to limit fluid intake during evening hours to eliminate nightly visits to the bathroom.
A Word of Caution
In addition to many teas being artificially flavored, some are very high in caffeine. Nobody knows your aging loved ones better than you do. Chat with them about their preferences, adverse reactions, and any known allergies. If needed, consult a health care provider. As with anything else, there are certain risks of consuming caffeine. Caffeinated tea could potentially cause tachycardia, palpitations, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, tremors, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis [1]. However, there is little evidence of health risks for adults consuming moderate amounts of caffeine (about 300 to 400 mg per day) [2].
We don’t need to drink tea by buckets. Moderation, as always, is the key. We only want to enjoy a cup or two per day.
Could a cup of tea a day keep the doctor away?
That depends what type of tea we drink and how much of it we drink — does it not?
Home and tea are inseparable. Therefore, in the coming weeks we will share with you useful tips for buying best teas.
We are wishing you, your Mom, your Dad — and anyone else who wants to join your tea party — Happy Sipping!
With love for the Elderly…
References
1. Higdon JV, Frei B. Coffee and health: A review of recent human research. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 2006; 46(2):101–123.
2. “Tea and Cancer Prevention: Strengths and Limits of the Evidence.”
http://www.cancer.gov/ National Cancer Institute, 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
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