The formula for healthy tea… There should be at least a 1-hour gap
Black tea is not only a delicious beverage; in recent years, scientists have also rediscovered its therapeutic potential. Because tea is rich in flavonoids—also found in vegetables and fruits—research has shown that it has protective effects against cardiovascular diseases, stroke, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer (particularly stomach and colorectal cancer), and viral and inflammatory diseases, as well as regulatory effects on bone density. However, for these effects of tea to emerge, the tea must not be mixed with white sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Scientific studies indicate that the active compounds in black tea and green tea show similar protective effects against disease. There is no single method for preparing green or black tea that is universally accepted around the world. In Japan, steeping green tea for 2-3 minutes is common; in England, adding a certain amount of milk to black tea is common; while in Turkey, black tea is preferred brewed more strongly. The method of preparing tea also affects the antioxidant strength it contains.
SHOULD BE DRUNK FRESH
To maximize the benefits of tea, it is important that it be freshly brewed loose-leaf tea. Before brewing, the tea should be rinsed with cold water. While the water underneath is boiling, a small amount of water should be poured over the rinsed tea in the teapot so that it becomes ready to brew with steam and heat. Tea brewed with boiling water should be drunk fresh at the end of the steeping time. No additives (such as baking soda) should be mixed in, it should be drunk without sugar, and tea that has been left standing or reboiled after cooling should not be consumed.
People with low iron levels—especially pregnant women, children, and adolescents—should avoid drinking tea with meals. Allowing at least a 1-hour gap between meals and tea minimizes, and can even eliminate, tea’s negative effects on iron absorption. Drinking 3-4 cups of tea a day is considered to have no negative effect on health, and may even help reduce the risk of chronic disease and provide a feeling of vitality.
THE BENEFITS OF 4 CUPS OF TEA...
Green tea is obtained from the plant known by its Latin name, Camellia sinensis. The difference between black and green tea arises from their processing techniques. Green tea, which undergoes less processing than black tea, does not lose its color because it is not exposed to oxidation. Green tea, with its aromatic and fresh taste, is dried quickly after harvesting, so the polyphenols it contains suffer less loss; it contains less caffeine than black tea and is a rich source of antioxidants. For this reason, it has properties that support the immune system. Drinking 4 cups of green tea a day has been observed to reduce the risk of stomach, colon, breast, and digestive system cancers.
Green tea is frequently used in weight-loss programs due to its effects in reducing appetite, removing toxins from the body, and accelerating metabolism. A study published in the January 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that green tea reduces LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. For a delicious and healthy cup of green tea, you should brew it in water at 85 degrees for 3-5 minutes.
For more information on this and similar topics, you can refer to my book “Beautiful, Happy, and Healthy.”
Hüseyin Nazlıkul