Polyphenol/Antioxidants

Tea consists of polyphenols that act as antioxidants in the body and help work against ‘free radicals’ which form in our bodies as a result of different environmental inputs. ‘Free radicals’ are believed to be a factor contributing to heart disease and cancer. Polyphenols are found naturally in plants and tea has one of the highest levels of any food or beverage.

Polyphenol levels are the same in the different types of tea you drink (white, green, and black). What affects the amount of polyphenol in tea are the varietal of the tea bush, the age of the leaf when it is picked, the size of the tea leaves brewed, the amount of tea brewed, and the length of brew. Therefore, the same amount of white, green, and black tea made from the same tea bush, on the same day will have virtually the same polyphenol levels.

Caffeine & Theanine

Caffeine is found naturally in tea. Research suggests the health benefits include that it helps increase activity of the digestive system and kidneys, as well as providing a natural energy boost and increased alertness. A cup of tea contains roughly 1/3 the amount of caffeine contained in a cup of coffee. 

The caffeine in tea and coffee are identical but the effect is different due to three key factors:

      There is less caffeine in the average cup of tea but more in the dry form versus coffee.

      Theanine, one of the primary components of tea, counteracts the increase in adrenaline from caffeine without reducing the increased alertness.

      The high level of antioxidants in tea slows the body’s absorption of caffeine.

Healthy Hydration

Drinking tea hydrates the body almost as effectively as water because it is 99.5% water. So, not only is a cup of tea both refreshing and delicious, it can be an important part of maintaining proper hydration. The added benefit is that tea is that it is rich in polyphenols to help work against free radicals in the body.