With winter officially here, it’s time to get warm and cosy. In the face of plummeting temperatures and adverse weather conditions however, your usual ice cold glass of filtered water might not provide the level of comfort you need during the colder months ahead.

Mixing up your water intake with a series of hot water alternatives is definitely the way to go come winter. Unbeknown to most, drinking hot water unlocks many benefits for your health and wellbeing.

Better digestion, reduced aches and pains, improved weight management, and better sleep being just some of the hidden perks.

At wintertime, drinking hot water can prevent seasonal nasties, with cold and flu symptoms eased, sore throats soothed, and blocked sinuses relived.

If you’d like to enjoy more flavour than what you’ll get from a cup of warm water, why not give herbal tea a try?

Even swapping your daily brew for a herbal variety can help you harness a number of benefits, here we reveal just a few of them…

There’s tons to choose from

If you’re bored with your bog standard English breakfast tea, switching to herbal tea can open up a world of flavour.

There are 1,500 types of tea in the world, each of which offers its own plus-points. Despite there being thousands of teas available, they can be split into just four main categories – namely green, black, white, and oolong.

White teas are generally good for skin health and immunity. Green teas have been linked to preventing cancer, and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Oolong teas are popular for weight management and kidney health.

The black tea category – in which our beloved English breakfast tea falls into – contains varieties rich in antioxidants.

Many black teas have also been celebrated for their antibacterial and antiviral properties as well as their anti-ageing goodness.

It’s great for your mind…

Drinking any type of tea has been linked with better mental health. We’ll let Good Housekeeping explain more:

“Tea keeps your mind sharp. Drinking a cup a day can also keep dementia at bay concludes recent research at the National University of Singapore.

Scientists found that tea consumption reduces the risk of cognitive decline in seniors by 50%, and as much as 86% for those genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s.”

As one of the healthiest teas in the world, green tea is particularly beneficial for your mental health, especially in later life.

This study found that elderly people who drank green tea on a regular basis had sharper minds than those who didn’t.

Its green tea drinking participants were less likely to have impaired cognitive function, with better memory, concentration and attention just some of the advantages enjoyed.

…and your body

Each herbal tea has its own unique health benefits. Chamomile tea for instance is linked to better sleep, whilst dandelion tea aids digestion and weight loss.

Thanks to their plant content, herbal teas have great nutritional advantages and that’ll work wonders for your body.

Herbal teas have been known to reduce blood pressure as well as lower the risk of diabetes and certain types of cancer.

Symptoms of short-term illnesses and seasonal bugs (such as colds and flu) also tend to be easier to manage, with people recovering faster thanks to their herbal tea intake.

Despite the lack of caffeine in herbal tea – all herbal teas are completely caffeine-free – your body will enjoy a natural energy boost that won’t disrupt your sleeping patterns or leave you with a caffeine crash.

It keeps stress and anxiety at bay

Stress and anxiety are very real issues, especially as we continue our fight against Covid-19.

Drinking herbal tea however is particularly therapeutic, with the relaxing effect of the tea drinking experience having a direct and positive impact on stress levels.

Discover the best alternatives to English breakfast tea and realise the benefits of drinking herbal tea for yourself.