Indian Tea Association: Tea & Health

From its legendary discovery in the year 2737 BC by the emperor Sheng Nung, when leaves fell into a pot of boiling water, to the universally enjoyed beverage it is today, Tea has had significant role in human history.

As we all know, after water, Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world, with an estimated one billion cups consumed daily worldwide! Grown on hills and foothills, Tea is a natural plant food and all varieties of Tea come from the Camellia Sinensis plant. After the leaves are harvested, the method of processing turns them into one of the three basic types of Tea; Black, Green or Oolong. The rejuvenator of all times and for all ages, this wonder drink is the age old solution to numerous health problems.

Black Tea and Green Tea

Tea is by and large of two varieties: Black.and Green.

The majority of Tea leaves harvested is processed into Black Tea, i.e. Tea with black colour leaf. It is made by exposing the Tea leaves to air, to promote a natural biochemical process called oxidation that turns these leaves into a deep red brown-black colour which gives Black Tea its unique rich taste. In case of Green Tea on the other hand, the leaves are quickly steamed or heated and so, they retain their green colour. Black Tea is the type commonly consumed in India with or without milk and sugar, while Green Tea is popular in China and Japan and in some parts of the western world.

Black tea forms majority of the Tea harvest and is processed through oxidation while Green Tea undergoes the least of processing ·
Research shows that Black and Green tea are excellent means of lowering risks of heart diseases and various kinds of cancer ·
Tea in both these forms help in better metabolic functioning

Both Black and Green Tea contain Antioxidant Polyphenols and therefore provide excellent means of lowering the risk of heart diseases and cancer. Researches have been conducted on these with both Black Tea in USA, Europe and India and Green Tea in Japan and found that they worked through similar mechanisms. While both these types of Tea resist the growth and development of various Cancers, they also increase Apoptosis, a process whereby tumor cells are eliminated. They also suppress bacteria that is unfavourable in maintaining a healthy intestinal bacterial flora, while favouring the beneficial bacteria that prove helpful in a better metabolic function. · Black tea forms majority of the Tea harvest and is processed through oxidation while Green Tea undergoes the least of processing · Research shows that Black and Green tea are excellent means of lowering risks of heart diseases and various kinds of cancer · Tea in both these forms help in better metabolic functionin.