Want a low calorie substitute for coffee or soda? Try tea! Tea boasts great health benefits, comes in a variety of types and flavors.
Certain teas, such as green tea, are high in antioxidants – especially, polyphenol EGCG, which is known to reduce risk of cancer. Research has also been conducted to study how tea inhibits cancer cell growth for ovarian, lung, stomach, esophagus and skin cancers. Tea can also reduce cell death and improve recovery from sun damage and stroke by increasing oxygen available to cells. Tea also promotes LDL (bad) cholesterol reduction and increase HDL (good) cholesterol level, lowering your risk of heart disease. Additionally, tea is high in fluoride and helps inhibit bone loss.
Tea also contains many properties that may help weight loss. It increases energy expenditure and metabolism, promotes fat oxidation and inhibits fat cell development and decreases lipid absorption/increases excretion.
Chamomile, mint, green and lavender teas also have calming/relaxing attributes.
Some types of tea for you to try:
Black – probably the cheapest option, comes in Darjeeling and Earl Grey varieties, among others.
Herbal – leaves are brewed with flowers, roots, bark and seeds
Organic teas
Green – including jasmine tea
Red – including honeybush
Oolong tea
There are many different types of tea, just take a walk down on your local grocery aisle!