5 reasons to drink more tea this winter

5 reasons to drink more tea this winter

British Summer Time is officially over, and winter is nearly here. That means there is nothing better than curling up under a blanket on a cold winter’s day with a warming cup of tea in hand.

But aside from heating up your fingers and making you feel toasty from the inside out, there are several other amazing benefits to drinking tea. In fact, this winter, you should drink even more of this wonderful liquid, and here’s why.

1 - Protects Against Disease

There are many different forms of tea, including green, black, oolong, pu’erh, and herbal tea to name but a few. Each tea comes with its own disease-fighting benefits, and therefore by drinking a higher quantity and a greater variety of tea, the more your body will thank you.

For example, green tea and oolong tea are both loaded with l-theanine, an amino acid which has anti-anxiety effects and increases the levels of the happy hormone dopamine in our brains. Aside from these short-term benefits, both teas are thought to prevent cognitive diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's by containing high levels of l-theanine. On top of this, green tea’s ability to protect against free radicals is thought to lower the risk of heart disease and cancers. White tea also has this cancer-fighting property due to its high antioxidant levels.

It’s more important than ever to put your health first during the colder months when it’s at its most vulnerable. Why not try our Green Vitality blend as the perfect disease-fighting cuppa this winter.

2 - Helps Maintain Good Oral Health

Some studies have also found that drinking tea can promote good oral health, helping reduce the number of trips you make to the dentist. White tea, in particular, is an oral health saviour, containing fluoride, catechins, and tannins that keep teeth strong and prevent cavities from forming. These compounds also help to prevent unwanted plaque from forming. Our enlivening White Ayurvedic Chai contains a blend of white tea with warming chai spices for that perfect winter brew.

Green tea and black tea both also have similar positive effects on oral health. The high levels of catechins and tannins, respectively, inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria, leading to fresher breath and cleaner teeth. Black tea also neutralises sulphur compounds which are known to exacerbate bad breath.

3 - Promotes a Good Night’s Sleep

Teas are also known for their calming properties, especially herbal teas such as soothing chamomile, hibiscus, or ginger which are all caffeine-free. This is great news when you’re looking for a relaxing drink before bed to help you dose off, as a good night’s sleep is vital for good mental and physical wellbeing, especially in colder months where our immune systems are down.

Chamomile is a commonly drunk tea to treat insomnia. Its sleep-inducing properties are thought to come from the high levels of antioxidant apigenin that binds to brain receptors and promotes sleep. Lavender tea also helps aid sleep both through its taste and calming aroma. Our Tranquil Dream tea contains a delightful combination of both chamomile and lavender for the ultimate herbal sleep aid.

4 - Boosts Your Immune System

Tea is also known to give your immune system a well-needed boost, which is great news for those of you who suffer from seasonal colds as you now have a delicious means of keeping those pesky illnesses at bay!

Turmeric teas such as our Turmeric Tonic are fantastic at this, as they contain the compound curcumin known to have antimicrobial properties. Similarly, peppermint is extremely soothing, and so ideal if you’re feeling unwell, but it also has antimicrobial and antiviral properties to help keep illness at bay. On top of this, peppermint tea is packed with antioxidants that promote all-round good health and soothe inflammation. If you’re looking for the perfect peppermint tea this winter, our Peppermint Absolute is a must.

5 - Helps Keep a Healthy Weight

You know what they say: summer bodies are made in the winter. With the number of sweet treats and goodies we will be eating over the festive season, tea can give you the little push you need to stay a healthy weight, despite the Christmas indulgences.

Green tea is one of the most effective teas for weight loss, as the high levels of antioxidants give a natural boost to your metabolism and speed up fat burning. In fact, a study on obese individuals found that participants drinking green tea lose 7.3lbs more over four months. Pu’erh tea also helps to lower blood sugar levels, keeping you from feeling sluggish while helping maintain a healthy weight and preventing uncomfortable bloating.

For a powerful punch of weight loss goodness, try our Fat Burner Wellness Blend which combines both green and pu’erh tea with appetite suppressing oolong. This cuppa is not only deliciously tasty, but it can help keep the pounds at bay this winter season.