As I’ve noted on my sidebar, January is in fact National Hot Tea Month, so sayeth The Tea Association of the USA, Inc., The Tea Council of the USA, and the Specialty Tea Institute (STI). Personally speaking, I need absolutely no excuse whatsoever to partake in anything Tea related. The intimacy, ritual, and of course the pleasing taste alone is all the enticement needed for me, as well as many other loyal Tea Society bloggers. However, the below information might be of particular interest for anyone looking for health benefits as an excuse to enjoy a hot cuppa (or two or three or four or five).
Drinking hot tea has the great potential to help you stay a bit healthier during the cold and flu season of which we are in the midst of. According to Harvard University, theanine, a natural ingredient found in tea, supports the immune system. One cup of tea contains approximately 25 mg of theanine. Therefore, drinking multiple cups of hot tea, daily, is recommended to boost your immunity.
Better yet, according to clinical research, drinking up to five cups of Black Tea for 2-4 weeks will boost ones immunity four times over. The results also show that Black Tea increases the body’s natural resistance to infection.
In addition, tea also contains flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. These properties aid in battling free radicals which are believed to damage elements in the body, such as "genetic material and lipids", resulting in many chronic diseases.
With all the wonderful health benefits of tea, what are you waiting for? Put the kettle on and enjoy!
15 comments:
Well, I've certainly upped my intake of hot tea so far, this month! Nice to know it's actually good for me, too. Please pour me another!
I received some Cream Earl Grey for Christmas. Have you ever tried that? Delicious!
I am going ot put the kettle on right now. I can't believe I did not think to put it on before I sat down at the computer.
Ah, so many interesting facts about tea, some of them I knew, some are new to me.
I have heard you are either coffee drinker or a tea drinker. (Or neither, like my Irishman;)
I am a coffee drinker, I admit. I drink tea only when I have the flue. BUT, once in a while, particularly in the winter, I love to make tea out of that special blend of wild flowers, herbs and spices, which I bought at a small organic farm in Sweden one summer a few years back. It does truly wonders for my well being.;)
xo
Zuzana
This is great news...all the more reason to enjoy! I am a coffe & tea drinker, but tea is so much more relaxing. It's so comforting to hold the warm mug in your hand and savor the flavor.
I don't need an excuse, but it's nice to know it's not only a lovely ritual but good for us, too! :)
I love my coffee in the a.m. but after 12 noon drink tea. There is something so relaxing and comfy about tea. Our grandmother was English and we had Tea Time everyday at 4PM. My brother still drinks tea instead of coffee. Nothing but flurries here with the snow, but Thursday early am. we are expecting a biggie. Who knows.
QMM
Willow, ah there's always a kettle on the stove over here:)..
Pamela, would you believe I have never heard of Earl Grey Cream?..Hum..must google and investigate a bit further.
Tracey, Zuzana, Lady Cat, Betsy and QMM:I do like coffee, too..-first thing in the morning,as long as it's really good coffee.:)
Earl Grey Cream is a keeper! Hard to find so I have ordered it in the past and worth it. I lurve Black teas! Probably because I like milk/sugar in it. After the pot cools, I drink the remaining tea as Iced! Usually none gies to waste! My favorite summer teas are fruity herbal brewed hit and enjoyed iced!
What? i haven't commented yet? OK, well, no excuses needed to drink tea for me, let me tell you. I have had about 6 cups today that my body is busting with antioxidants and all that. did you know the theanine's acidity is actually cut down by adding milk so that just goes to show why milk just makes sense with tea. as does sugar I suspect too. now, put the kettle on and we'll all pop over and have a good banter with you there, watching the snow and such. Cozy.
Janeen, I am still trying to wrap my mind around Earl Grey Cream and why I haven't heard of it! I must order some pronto:)I'm also still giggling over your most recent post..That was classic!
MMM, ...Ha...Yes, you should be well on your way to restored health with all those antioxidants floating around( might bump into some cheerios..)...Ah, and another great reason for milk in tea. I'm still trying to convert a few ...Oh, what they're missing out on!
The kettle is on....
I've just discovered your blog and am looking forward to reading past posts! I'm having a tea giveaway this week (with Two Leaves and a Bud) - a great way to celebrate hot tea month. Please stop by to enter!
Cheers,
Leah
Hot Tea Month indeed...It has been so cold I have been making several tea pots a day! I am having a cuppa right now, and I am using my Fitzgerald china cup & saucer! Thank goodness, I do SOMETHING that is healthy for me!
OPH,
Welcome! Lovely blog you have...That reminds me, I need to mosy back over your way:)
FireLight, it has been here as well...It's freezing, actually... I had way too much tea yesterday...Wait, is that possible? I guess it is since I was up half the night...
So glad you're enjoying you cup and saucer...I do love the deep green and gold trim of that one..
Mmm, I can't drink caffeine, and I miss black tea, but I drink a lot of mint tea now and I just love it.
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