How to Choose the Right Type of Health-Boosting Tea

Think all tea is the same? Think again. In a previous blog post, we discussed some of the health conditions that tea can treat and prevent, including inflammation, free radicals, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. In this post, we're going to reveal which types of tea treat and prevent these various health conditions.

Green Tea

Consisting of brewed leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, green tea has become a popular choice because of its exceptionally high antioxidant content. Research shows roughly 30% of the total weight of green tea consists of the antioxidant catechins. All these antioxidants make green tea highly effective at combating free radicals and, therefore, protecting against early aging.

Black Tea

If you're struggling to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, consider drinking black tea. While it contains less antioxidants than green tea, black tea is an excellent choice for weight management. According to MedicalNewsToday, it's been shown to promote weight loss by balancing gut flora. When you drink black tea, the compounds encourage a healthy balance of bacteria, as well as other microbes, in your digestive system, which in turn allows you to lose weight or maintain your weight more easily.

White Tea

Another health-boosting tea you may want to drink is white tea. Like green tea, it contains a high level of antioxidants that fight free radicals to protect against early aging. Additionally, however, white tea has been shown to suppress inflammation and, therefore, lower the risk of heart disease. Inflammation is a hallmark symptom of heart disease. When inflammation goes unchecked, it causes swelling in your arteries that leads to various heart problems. You can keep your heart healthy by drinking more white tea.

Hibiscus Tea

For high blood pressure, consider drinking hibiscus tea. It's not as popular as the aforementioned types of tea, but it's particularly effective at treating and preventing hypertension. Hibiscus tea contains natural plant-based compounds known as anthocyanins that, when consumed, lower blood pressure. Whether you suffer from hypertension or prehypertension, you should consider including hibiscus tea in your diet.

Oolong Tea

Finally, oolong tea is an all-around great choice that can treat and prevent a variety of health conditions. Among other things, oolong tea has been shown to lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It also has a pleasantly mild flavor that many people prefer over other types of tea.