With the onset of cold-weather season, I felt compelled to tell you about the health benefits of one of the most iconic warm drinks: tea. I’m here to dictate what’s what for the not-yet tea connoisseur.  

We’ll start with basic (or not so basic) black tea! Rich in antioxidants called “polyphenols,” the tea allows for the elimination of free radicals within the body. Additionally, it contains another group of antioxidants called flavonoids that work to prevent a myriad of chronic health issues. Additionally, green tea, made from the same leaf as its black counterpart, is high in antioxidants that promote immune, heart, gut, and metabolic health.  

Next up, Oolong tea. Coming from China, this variety has more health benefits than the average tea, and in terms of caffeine content and robustness, is between green and black tea. There are compounds within it to help with heart, brain, metabolic, immune and gut health, also including phytonutrients. These also protect against free radicals, prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, and boost your immune system,  

Additionally, I’ll discuss chamomile tea. Known for helping with sleep (I can attest to that!), this tea contains carminative and nervine that supports digestion and calmness. It can also aid in anxiety, inflammation, metabolic issues, and immune health, too. 

Finally, I’ll discuss some unique tea varieties, and what they can do for your body. I’ll start with Masala Chai, hailing from India. There are antioxidant varieties that are a result from the spices in the tea. It can also help with digestive functions, inflammation, heart health and mental benefits. Additionally, I’ll tell you about the Butterfly Pea Flower Tea, also known as “Blue tea.” Studies have proven that it can support hair and skin health, and it is also has compounds known as Kaempferol, p-Coumaric Acid, Delphinidin- 3,5-glucoside. These compounds prevent cancer, help against oxidative stress, inflammation, bacteria, and help with immune function!