Tea Time – K's Nutrition Corner

Take Time for Tea Time

People have been drinking tea for thousands of years not only for its great taste but also to reap the benefits. If tea isn’t part of your normal diet, you are totally missing out! This beverage is great for so many things including your overall health. It contains beneficial nutrients like antioxidants and prebiotics to name a few. It can soothe an upset stomach, improve focus, ease anxiety, and boost energy. There are many other health benefits of kist add at least a cup a day to your daily routine.

Health Benefits:

ease an upset stomach
boost energy
improve focus
detoxification
ease anxiety

Key Nutrients:

Tea contains an array of important nutrients. Tea made with tea leaves (black, green, white, oolong, and pu-erh) contain antioxidants and can act as prebiotics. Antioxidants help to fight free radicals that can cause inflammation and disease. Prebiotics are those little guys that help to feed the “good” bacteria in your gut.

These key nutrients in all different kinds of teas can help benefit your health in different ways. One of those ways is through gut health.

Gut Health

A number of teas can help your gut in numerous ways! Teas can help an upset stomach and reduce nausea, bloating, cramps, and gas. Tea can also be beneficial for diarrhea and constipation. Here are 9 different teas that can help your upset stomach in different ways.

Green Tea

The steaming process involved in making green tea releases antioxidants. One of those antioxidants is a polyphenol called catechin. Studies show that catechin has a positive impact on gut health.

Black Tea

Polyphenols in black tea can help improve gut health. Research shows they can decrease the “bad” bacteria in the gut, and also increase “good” bacteria

Pu-erh Tea

If you overeat or drink too much, pu-erh tea can help. This fermented tea has been shown to ease discomfort associated with eating or drinking too much.

Fennel Tea

This tea is made from the leaves of the fennel plant. Fennel tea can help an upset stomach by relieving cramps, bloating, and gas. It can also reduce feelings of nausea.

Holy Basil Tea

Holy basil tea has been shown to prevent and heal stomach ulcers. These ulcers are also called gastric ulcers. They are sores in the stomach lining. Holy basil tea helps these ulcers by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. It also helps improve the stomach’s mucus lining.

Licorice Tea

Tea made from licorice root can be used to soothe an upset stomach. It’s used to reduce stomach inflammation. One possible cause of this inflammation is “bad” bacteria in the gut. This bacteria is called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Ginger Tea

You might already know that ginger can help with an upset stomach. Ginger tea has more helpful compounds than ginger ale. You can use ginger tea to help alleviate nausea, reduce inflammation, and support digestion.

Boost Energy

Matcha:

Green Tea: It contains caffeine to help with energy. Green tea’s energy-boosting properties are further driven by an amino acid known as L-theanine. This amino acid slows the absorption of caffeine. As a result, the energy boost from green tea is longer-lasting and more steady than that from a cup of coffee. You’ll get the increased focus and energy without the jittery side effects or the crash when the caffeine wears off.

Black Tea: Of the trues teas, black tea contains the highest caffeine content. Black tea also contains a moderate amount of L-theanine, helping to balance out that energy boost.

Yerba Mate: Yerba mate contains more caffeine than green tea, but still less than a cup of coffee. This South American tea also contains theobromine, a compound similar to L-theanine in that it increases energy levels without jitters.

Focus and Mental Clarity

Oolong: the l-theanine in the tea reduces anxiety and increases alertness and attention

Ginseng: Ginseng has been used as a balancing tonic, an herb with the unique ability to both stimulate and relax the nervous system. Ginseng also offers a wide array of cognitive and mental health benefits. It can help prevent memory loss and guard against age-related mental decline.

Ginkgo Biloba Tea: Ginkgo’s health benefits are thought to come from its high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may also increase blood flow and play a role in how neurotransmitters in the brain operate.

Detoxing

Oolong: It boasts a large number of antioxidants and natural ingredients that eliminate toxins and free radicals

Dandelion Root Tea: Dandelion root has long been held as a “liver tonic” in folk medicine. Preliminary studies suggest this is due, in part, to its ability to increase the flow of bile.

Milk Thistle Tea: a great option when it comes to cleansing the liver. This tea contains silymarin, a common herbal supplement used to treat liver problems

Calming

Chamomile Tea: is a sweet and tasty beverage that is renowned for its calming effects. The tea is made by infusing chamomile flowers in hot water. It can be brewed using fresh or dried blossoms.

Studies show that chamomile tea can bind to GABA receptors in the brain, helping to induce relaxation

Passionflower Tea: Passionflower tea offers a delicate flavor profile with sweet notes. It has a mild flavor so it can easily be mixed with other herbs such as lemongrass and chamomile.

Passionflower tea has long been used in Europe as a natural remedy for anxiety. Research shows that flavonoids in passionflower tea have modulating effects on GABA receptors

Peppermint Tea: is an invigorating tea that helps to boost mood through its refreshing aroma and tingling flavor. This herb is used by Yogis and traditional medicine practitioners as a way to increase relaxation and improve mood.

Valerian Root Tea: Valerian root is one of the most calming herbs you can use to brew tea. Difficulty sleeping is one of the leading effects of anxiety and depression. Drinking this tea can help to calm nerves and make it easier to fall asleep and achieve restful sleep.