Tea: your next health obsession!

Ok so you're hooked on the taste of tea, the ritual of making it, the community it can cultivate, and you're starting to notice that you actually feel better when you drink it too! Could it be that a warm cup in your hand is just comforting, or do you want to know the science of why this ancient beverage is actually incredible for your physical, and mental health? 

Boost energy, improve your immune system, lower stress, improve your mood, prevent cancer and heart disease, improve respiratory health, and even slow the aging process, all with tea!

Caffeine - Is all of it the same?

The simple answer is, yes. Chemically, caffeine does not change depending on where it comes from. The more cohesive answer however, is that different caffeine sources will affect you differently. Caffeine, like everything, should be consumed in moderation. A healthy amount will boost your energy and  improve your focus. Caffeine has also been recognized as an appetite suppressant, so it can aid in weight loss. However, too much caffeine can lead to severe dehydration, nausea, anxiety, and even heart disease. Obviously the more caffeine you have, the more it will affect you, so coffee or energy drinks will usually have a stronger effect than tea. Soda also usually has less caffeine than coffee, but does this make it healthier for you? Even with all that sugar? Of course not! The amount of caffeine matters, but so does what else is in the source of caffeine. That's why we think tea is the healthiest source of caffeine. It has a bit less caffeine than coffee, but still no calories, and it contains tons of health boosting compounds, like L-Theanine, EGCG, tannins, and antioxidants. It even contains compounds that have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers!

Fun fact: Leaves higher up on the tea plant are higher in caffeine than others. This is partially due to the young age of the leaves but also has to do with caffeine being a great natural defense against pests. The leaves on top will retain more caffeine to deter flying creatures who may otherwise try to eat them, while leaves lower on the plant, or older, will convert the caffeine into theophylline, a compound that can improve respiratory health and even reduce the symptoms of asthma

L-Theanine - Tea's "magic" calming compound

Why is it that a cup of tea immediately makes us think things like cozy, calm, peaceful? Well, turns out it's not just cultural, it's scientific! Tea (Camellia Sinensis) contains an amino acid called L-Theanine which is very rare in nature. In fact it is only found in Camellia Sinensis, and a few specific types of mushrooms. This compound is not considered essential to humans, but it has been shown to reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, improve focus, and while tea has caffeine to energize, L-Theanine can actually lower your heart rate, meaning you won't experience the "jitters" or crash that usually come with a cup of coffee or an energy drink. In addition to its calming properties, L-Theanine improves and protects cognitive function and memory, boosts serotonin and dopamine production, and is being studied in connection to brain cell regrowth!

EGCG, Tannins, and other changes with oxidation.

So when tea is oxidized, it changes the color and flavor of the tea. We talked about that here. But did you know it also changes the chemical structure, and therefore the benefits of tea? Oxidation will usually raise the caffeine and tannin content, and lower the EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) content. EGCG is a compound shown to reduce stress, slow or even stop hair loss, speed up metabolism, and improve skin elasticity

Since EGCG is so beneficial, and caffeine in higher amounts can be harmful, it is sort of true that green tea is “healthier” for you, but we like to think the healthiest tea is the one you like the best, because you'll drink it the most! Black tea tends to release more tannins into your cup, and tannins are packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Since white tea is plucked from higher up on the tea plant, typically before the leaves have even unfurled, it will contain higher caffeine, and it is not oxidized. Therefore, with white tea, you get high EGCG as well as high caffeine! Matcha will provide EGCG and caffeine in very high amounts as well.

Tannins can be a tricky subject when it comes to tea. On one hand, too many tannins will make your tea bitter (that's why steep times and temperatures are so important, learn more about that here) and if you drink high tannin tea on an empty stomach, you might get nauseous. On the other hand though, tannins can boost your immune system, improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and even prevent heart disease!

What about "tea" that isn't actually tea?

So we talked about how tea all comes from the same plant. You can read that post here. But there are thousands of herbs, fruits, and spices that we infuse similarly to tea. Are those good for us too? Yes! Though herbal infusions or herbal "tea" will not contain caffeine, L-Theanine, or EGCG, there are countless benefits to countless herbs on the planet! Rooibos for example is packed with vitamin C, it's actually more concentrated with it than orange juice! Chamomile and valerian root can help us sleep, mullein leaf can soothe the throat and lungs, ginger will help with digestion, turmeric and black pepper can lower inflammation and even reduce pain, the list is truly endless. Like I said before, the healthiest tea, is the one you like the most.