Which tea should you drink every day and why?

We’ve all heard that tea is good for your body. But different teas available in the market have different benefits which many are not aware about. Metrolife tells you what you should be brewing.

Masala Chai

No matter which part of the country you’re from, there will be at least one person in the family who is fond of masala chai. The taste of herbs and spices is something that many of us enjoy. It’s great for heartburn, cold, cough and indigestion.

Green Tea

It’s one of the most popular teas, something that has caught the fancy of everyone these days. Apart from it being a light drink, green tea can also help reduce arthritis pain, sore muscles, inflammation and bloating.

It’s said to help because of the active ingredient called epigallocatechin gallate, which is a powerful catechin.

Ginger Tea

Ginger itself is known to relax your digestive system, so it’s benefits are self-explanatory. The spice will help reduce the pressure on the abdomen and give relief from bloating.

It’s also said to be great for menstrual cramps.

White Tea

Many prefer to have this tea when they are stressed out. The tea is also known to boost your metabolic rate as it contains amino acid and L-theanine. It’s also a good hangover cure.

Chamomile Tea

Most tea lovers are opting for chamomile as it’s known to relax your muscles, especially after a heavy meal. It also helps soothe your skin conditions like eczema, acne and pigmentation on the skin. If you can’t fall asleep easily, just drink a cup of this and have a sound sleep.

Black Tea

The tea is made from the plant shrubs that help in controlling your blood sugar levels and reduce sudden hunger. It goes without saying that it will help you lose weight and treat stomach issues. You can also have a cup of it when you have a headache.

Oolong Tea

The tea combines the benefits of green and black tea and helps reduce health conditions like inflammatory disorders, high cholesterol levels and heart disease. There have also been studies that have linked the tea to weight loss.

Matcha Tea

This is the tea powder that everyone is talking about these days. It’s rich in antioxidants and helps strengthen your immune system. Those who consume this are said to be more energetic. You can even look forward to having great skin and not be harmed by UV rays because of the antioxidants.

Hibiscus Tea

The flower is known to have high levels of antioxidants and Vitamin C. The tea is known for lowering blood pressure and for sore throats. You can even have a cup of this if you have a gum disease.

Mint Tea

The menthol in the mint is beneficial when you have a cold or flu. And if you’re someone who suffers from sinus, the natural warmness helps clear the problem. Mint tea is also known to release the stress level and help with weight loss as it breaks the protein and eliminates the appetite. Suffering from a toothache? Peppermint tea is a good go-to remedy as well.

Best time for tea
Tea taken in without or without milk works well, but by adding sugar to it, you are increasing the intake of empty calories. The lesser the sugar, the better. Also, tea consumed with meals interferes with the iron intake. So it’s best if you have it between meals.

SHEELA KRISHNASWAMY,
Diet, nutrition and wellness consultant

“While there have been claims that various herbal teas have different kinds of benefits, it would be best to take them in limited quantities. If one is on medication or has an illness, it’s best to check with a doctor before consuming herbal teas.”