All the benefits of tea
A wide range of studies recognise tea’s many health benefits. These beneficial and protective effects are linked to the incredible richness of its components.
Why is tea good for your health?
According to a wealth of scientific literature, tea has multiple health benefits thanks to its many bioactive compounds. Among its beneficial effects, it lowers cardiovascular mortality (by reducing cholesterol and the formation of atherosclerotic plaque, dilating the arteries, etc.), reduces the risk of diabetes, strengthens bones and improves osteoarthritis, slows cognitive decline (dementia and neurodegenerative diseases) and may prevent certain cancers (digestive tract, lung, breast, prostate, skin). It also boosts immunity, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and improves blood circulation.
These protective effects are mainly due to the richness and diversity of its antioxidants, substances that act as shields against oxidation – i.e. the deterioration and ageing – of cells caused by free radicals (stress, tobacco, pollution, sun, etc.). This antioxidant content is measured by the ORAC index: along with oilseeds, spices, cocoa, and fruits and vegetables, tea has one of the highest ORAC values.
Among these antioxidants, it is rich in flavonoids, including catechins and, more specifically, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is its main active ingredient. These substances are particularly protective for the body.
Which tea is best for your health?
All teas are good for your health because they are rich in antioxidants. However, oxidation causes certain oxidants (catechins) to be converted into other types of antioxidants (theaflavins and thearubigins) that are less powerful.
Because it is not fermented, green tea not only provides the highest amount of protective substances, but also preserves powerful bioactive compounds (catechins, and especially EGCG) intact. In fact, it is the tea with the highest ORAC index, which measures a food’s protective capacity against free radicals: 1250.
Also unfermented, white tea may have greater antioxidant properties than green teas. However, due to its rarity, little scientific data exists on this subject.
What is the difference between green tea and black tea?
Unlike green tea, black tea undergoes oxidation and roasting, which causes partial oxidation of its antioxidants such as catechins, which are then transformed into other substances and now account for only 8% of the polyphenols present. However, black tea retains excellent antioxidant capacity, with an ORAC index of 1130, making it extremely beneficial to health. It is also lower in caffeine.
What are the benefits of rooibos?
This ‘red tea’ – which does not come from the tea plant but from an African shrub – contains no caffeine and can therefore be consumed even before going to bed. Rooibos also contains no tannins, which inhibit iron absorption.
On the contrary, it is rich in antioxidant polyphenols and therefore has many protective health benefits, particularly against cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers (prostate).
