Lifestyle July 28, 2022
Let's get this par-Tea started!
If you are like me, you probably have an ungodly sleep schedule that requires copious amounts of liquid caffeine to keep you going throughout the day. If you are like me, you also probably hate gross bean water, traditionally known as coffee. Fear not reader, there is an alternative! Tea, which is technically hot leaf water, is an excellent alternative to coffee. Tea benefits our health in many ways while being delicious. In addition to keeping you awake at your desk on a Monday morning, here are some of the various perks of drinking tea!
If you are looking for a powerful alternative to coffee, matcha is the way to go! While matcha has a lower caffeine content than coffee, the tea benefits you with a much more stable caffeine high.
The blog Sipology reports that, “Coffee causes spikes in adrenaline, glucose and insulin levels, which in turn create jitteriness, nervousness, and…often crazy hunger pangs.”
Matcha will give you a sense of alertness without making you feel like you’re about to bounce off the wall. Unlike most green teas regularly sold in sachets, matcha typically comes in a powdered form. This is because matcha tea is whisked into the water, instead of steeped like traditional tea leaves. So if you are thinking of trying this tea out, make sure to have a whisk on hand!
If you are looking for a fragrant tea to help balance your mood, consider Jasmine green tea. This tea is known for its fragrant properties due to the jasmine flowers it is made with. The fragrance alone has been shown to improve mood and “calm the autonomous nervous system.” Jasmine tea is packed with antioxidants that can protect your cells from free radicals that cause cancer and heart disease. The tea has also been found to increase metabolism by 4-5%, which can aid in weight loss (however – this is not a suggestion to replace a full meal with a cup of tea!).
Chamomile tea is a common favorite that shows the versatility of tea’s benefits over coffee. Whereas people typically consume coffee as a caffeine boost, you can drink teas like chamomile to aid with sleep!
I have a hard time falling asleep, so a cup of chamomile with milk and honey is often my remedy. You might think this to be anecdotal, but it has proven true in clinical studies as well, “In a study using rats, chamomile extract helped sleep-disturbed rodents fall asleep.”
I’m no rodent, but I can certainly attest to the calming effects of the tea.
One of my recent tea obsessions is turmeric teas and lattes. Turmeric root is a common spice that has been lauded for its many potential health benefits. The spice contains a chemical called curcumin. It’s used to decrease swelling, joint pain, increase overall health, and “reduce the most prominent symptoms of arthritis.”
Since turmeric root is not easy to digest on its own, the best way to get the full benefit of the spice is through turmeric tea! The tea has a very distinct flavor, similar to ginger (but more earthy) that is best balanced out in a nondairy latte. But don’t be afraid to try turmeric tea on its own, it’s quite delicious!
The last (but certainly not least) tea on this list is raspberry leaf tea. Raspberry leaf tea is often marketed as a women’s health supplement, due to reports that the tea helps with PMS symptoms such as cramps, vomiting, and nausea. Raspberry tea may also be a good supplement for anyone with an iron deficiency. A serving of this tea can contain, “3.3 mg of iron, which is 18% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for women aged 19–50.”
Even if none of the teas suggested here are, well, your cup of tea, don’t give up just yet! There are literally thousands of teas with various health benefits for you to take advantage of, and exploring the world of tea can be a rewarding and educational experience itself.
Besides, while I love a good mocha frappuccino every now and again, no one wants perpetual coffee breath! I’d much rather have jasmine breath any day, while getting a much-needed health boost. For now, I think I’ll wind down with some honey and chamomile!
