Written by: Chloe Smith
We are always seeking new ways to calm ourselves down when we are feeling a bit uneasy.
People have been drinking tea long before it had been noted down. Some records show that tea actually originated in the 3rd century AD, but its popularity started in the 17th century when it was first brought and introduced to the British.
Nowadays, all nations are steeping leaves into hot water and around 3.6 billion gallons of tea is consumed in one year. Crazy right?
Even if we are totally invested into this beverage due to its flavor, did you know that it actually has more healthy, nutritive and calming components than anything else? Its components help us be more alert, relaxed, focused and healthier over the long run.
The Appropriate Stimulation
As you already might know, the main essence of tea, caffeine, has a strong effect on people, most notably it acts as a stimulant.
It reduces drowsiness as well, so it is no wonder that so many people consume it.
Pharmacologist experts have researched many aspects of caffeine and its influence and the top conclusion is that it increases alertness since it prevents the sedative adenosine from working as a receptor.
In plain words, adenosine keeps you awake, alert and it increases the activity of your central nerve system.
So, when our brain starts feeling tired, that is where caffeine beverages like tea start to kick in.
Due to this stimulant, we have more energy needed for daily hectic life.
By drinking tea you feel less tired like an afternoon nap or an extra hour of sleep might substitute. What is more, by regular energetic stimulant you will surely feel calm, tranquil and afterwards, you would be ready to continue your daily routine in a more harmonious manner.
The Appropriate Relaxation
This fantastic herb has more to offer to our system than caffeine. Another hidden aspect that is unique to this leaf is theanine.
For those who are not so familiar about this killer app, theanine is an amino acid present in black and green tea. Actually, most of it can be found in gyokuro, matcha, anji bai cha tea varieties.
Many researchers have also found out that certain molecules such as seratonin and dopamine are present in these tea leaves, and we know that those are modulates that make us feel good.
Writer and naturopathic doctor Natasha Turner has investigated and noted that theanine has effects similar to meditation. In that way, by regularly drinking tea, our body will stimulate alpha brainwaves which are naturally associated with deep states of relaxation and enhanced mental clarity.
Don’t be surprised that even after a honeydew iced tea, such as you can find at Chatime, you start feeling peaceful, relaxed and in a blissful state of mind.
Even ice tea and those full of caffeine can reduce anxiety and make you stay alert without feeling jittery and apprehensive.
If you’re looking for a holistic and herbal fix for your stress, take a deep breath and try sipping teas made from herbs, flowers and stems during teatime.
The Perfect Balance of Oxidation
By now you have learned how something with caffeine can utterly ease you and make you feel refreshed and tranquil.
But there are still more secrets to tell when it comes to this magic leaf and its characteristics.
Tea is actually full of antioxidants like thearubigins, epicatechins, and catechins. Well, they might be fun and catchy to pronounce, however they do wonders to our body.
First of all, they protect our cells from free radicals, meaning that they protect our body from against blood clots, cancer, or the hardening of the arteries.
To top it all up, these antioxidants might also help you reduce the risk of heart attack, and they will help our body fight against the cardiovascular and degenerative disease.
And tea does all of that while it simultaneously hydrates your body and lowers your cholesterol level, even despite the caffeine.
Since tea has all of those powers it is no surprise that it completely cleanses our body and at the same time make us feel serene.
Additionally, the research notes that regular tea drinkers, next to having a lower risk of heart problems, they have improved and smooth skin all thanks to those wonderful oxidants.
In plain words, you don’t have to be a scientist to understand that by drinking tea you would have a healthy, productive and calming future.
Go for a cup of tea, whenever you feel down or overwhelmed, or even just to tune out from the world for a moment, and enjoy!
What do you think?