Brewing a cup of tea using some delicious fresh filtered water can be a great way to start the morning before heading off to work. Tea is the quintessential British drink, and is often praised for its excellent taste and revitalising properties rather than its health benefits. Unbeknown to many, drinking tea in moderation is actually very good for health, particularly when compared to other popular caffeinated drinks. Here are some of the health benefits you may receive from drinking tea regularly:

Tea keeps your body hydrated

Because tea has caffeine in it, we automatically assume that it must be a diuretic and that it therefore has a negative impact on your body’s hydration. In previous decades this was a firmly held belief, but in recent times studies have proved that tea is just as good as water in keeping your body hydrated.

No calories

Unlike popular fizzy drinks which are calorific and have been linked with obesity, tea provides you with the same uplifting feeling but without any additional calories. Of course, when you add milk to your tea this fact is no longer true, but even so this is still a far healthier option than drinking sugary caffeinated drinks for an energy boost.

Retain a youthful appearance

Tea has multiple properties which will help you to look younger and rejuvenated. There is evidence that drinking white and green tea may be responsible for stimulating collagen and elastin production, both of which are essential for your skin’s elasticity and strength. Both green and white tea are also high in antioxidants, which can help to inhibit free radicals (which are known to damage skin cells).

Gives you fresher breath

The antioxidants in tea are effective in battling bad breath by killing off odorous bacteria in the back of the mouth and on the tongue. Tea also contains fluoride which helps to fight plaque. If you are looking to drink tea primarily to freshen your breath, black tea without any milk is recommended.

Keeps your bones strong

While milk is a source of calcium and it is regarded as being important for bone health, studies indicate that drinking tea without milk is also beneficial for maintaining bone density, particularly in older people.

Reduced risk of stroke and diabetes

Flavonoid antioxidants which are prevalent in tea are suggested to be beneficial to the cells in our body, therefore allowing us to live longer and healthier lives. Studies indicate that these antioxidants may contribute to reducing cancer, stroke and diabetes. For instance, research indicates that regular tea drinkers are less likely to develop oral cancer.

So, whether you prefer green, black, white or oolong, brewing a cup of tea using filtered water not only tastes great, but it might also help to improve your health in the long term!

(Photo by csunberry)