An afternoon cup of tea served with dainty cookies and sandwiches may be an English tradition, but did you know that sipping on a cup of tea may have its health benefits, especially when dealing with inflammation?
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury and is normally presented as swelling, warmth and redness of the skin. The body’s immune system uses this inflammation to try and heal itself by fighting pathogens and restoring any damaged tissues. But there is another type of inflammation that is not as beneficial.
Inflammation is categorized into acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is part of the body’s natural healing process and is considered good for the body. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is critical and may lead to conditions like cardiovascular diseases, joint problems like arthritis and even certain types of cancer. Obesity, an imbalanced diet, stress, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption may contribute to the onset of chronic inflammation.
Fortunately, before it becomes too serious, this type of inflammation can be reduced with simple dietary and lifestyle changes. There are many foods that can help reduce inflammation and among those are some highly effective teas.
6 Popular Teas to Fight Inflammation
Teas of all kinds have gained ample popularity throughout the world because of their versatility — most teas can be served hot or cold depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Some of the most popular teas that can help fight inflammation include:
Black tea:
Made from fermented black tea leaves, black tea is an integral part of Chinese medicine. Tea leaves naturally contain different types of polyphenols, antioxidant-rich components, like flavonoids. The two major flavonoids in black tea are theaflavins and thearubigins that may have anti-inflammatory properties. They also regulate the enzymes that cause oxidative stress in the body.
- Green tea: Research shows that among the different types of teas, green tea may have the highest concentration of antioxidants because it is prepared from unfermented leaves. Regular consumption of green tea may help reduce inflammation caused by diseases like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and even certain types of cancers.
- Ginger tea: One of the medicinal properties associated with ginger is its ability to reduce inflammation and soothe the digestive system. It’s believed to provide strong anti-inflammatory benefits, enough to alleviate symptoms related to rheumatism and osteoarthritis.
- Turmeric tea: Turmeric and its main component, curcumin, have gained a lot of popularity in the past few years, mainly because of their anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that turmeric contains nearly 24 anti-inflammatory compounds that may be able to reduce chronic inflammation.
- Rooibos tea: Made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant, this caffeine-free tea is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Rooibos tea finds its roots in South Africa and is said to be rich in aspalathin and nothofagin, antioxidant components that can reduce oxidative stress.
- Pineapple tea: Though a fruit-based tea may seem out of place here, the bromelain in pineapples may help reduce swelling and inflammation. Studies show that bromelain may also be more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), especially when dealing with inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis.
If you have not considered incorporating teas into your daily routine, this may be the right time to start. With numerous options available, pick one that fancies you, brew a cup, sit back and relax.
References
8 Herbal Teas to Help Beat Inflammation. (2018, February 21). Retrieved from https://eunatural.com/8-herbal-teas-to-help-beat-inflammation/
The Alternative Daily. (2018, February 21). 6 Teas That Reduce Inflammation In The Body (#4 Is Great). Retrieved from https://www.thealternativedaily.com/teas-that-reduce-inflammation-in-the-body/
Kyle, E., & R. (2018, June 05). The 7 Best Teas For Fighting Inflammation. Retrieved from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/inflammation-fighting-tea
Szalay, J. (2015, September 30). Inflammation: Causes, Symptoms & Anti-Inflammatory Diet. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/52344-inflammation.html
