Which Teas are Healthier?

I am frequently asked this question, and I answer that ALL EURO TE teas are healthy because they contain no calories, artificial flavours or colours. In addition, since they all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, they all have the beneficial compounds inherent to it.

However, studies have revealed that the production processes of tea do affect its components to a certain extent. In general, the more oxidized (darker) the tea has, the fewer antioxidants it has, but new components with different properties are also created, such as thearubigin. Note that this does not mean that black tea or red tea do not have antioxidants, of course they do, just in smaller quantities than white or green tea, but even so, they have MANY antioxidants.

What components does tea have?

In the East, the benefits of drinking tea have been known for centuries, although scientific studies have only been carried out for a relatively short time. However, there is still much to be done, since years of study are required to scientifically prove any effect on the human body.

However, 20 years of studies have shown that one of the most important components in tea, which are not easily found in other foods, are flavonoids, which are divided into catechins, theaflavin and thearubigin.

The most important effects of each one on our body are:

FLAVONOIDS : strengthen capillary and vein walls, are antioxidants, act as an anti-inflammatory agent, improve circulation, and prevent some types of cancer.

CATECHINS (EG, EC, EGC, ECG and EGCG): they are ¼ part of a green tea , the human body absorbs them easily and among their most important effects are inhibiting bacteria, reducing bad cholesterol in the blood, reducing the incidence of some types of cancer, reducing the oxidation of cells (antioxidant), thickening the walls of the veins and regulating their permeability, as well as inhibiting the increase of sugar in the blood.

THEAFLAVINE AND THEARUBIGINE : They inhibit the oxidation of Arginine, one of the 20 amino acids in the DNA chain, which prevents our DNA chain from being altered or oxidized. They are basically present in oxidized teas.

Tea also contains a very special substance, THEOPHYLLINE, which is very effective in treating headaches and asthma, lowers blood pressure and relaxes bronchial muscles. It is found mainly in black tea and is a stimulant and diuretic.

L Theanine: Tea is the only food that contains it naturally, this is a psychoactive amino acid It reduces stress, relaxes and improves memory as well as learning ability. Recent studies have found that it promotes the generation of alpha waves in our brain, which we produce when we are in a relaxed, awake and tension-free state, typical of a state of meditation. This amino acid also increases the level of production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and affects the levels of 2 neurotransmitters responsible for improving memory and learning, dopamine and serotonin.

Other components of Tea, no less important and valuable for our health, are: POTASSIUM, VITAMINS C, B, B1 AND B2, MANGANESE AND FOLIC ACID.

Various institutions and organizations promote drinking tea to prevent or counteract some diseases, such is the case of Harvard University, which revealed that drinking 3 cups of black tea a day reduces the risk of a heart attack by 44% compared to people who do not drink tea.

The National Cancer Institute of the USA published that the antioxidants present in tea, specifically catechins, inhibit the growth of some types of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer.

So now we have another reason to drink at least 3 cups of tea a day. Let's take advantage of the time we start preparing it to relax and pamper ourselves, while helping our body stay young and healthy.

Olivia Medina
Tea Master, EURO TEA