Tea has long been used in alternative health circles as a way to help increase overall health and reduce the instances of a wide range of diseases. This use has led to mainstream research studying the potential health impact of tea, with promising results, especially with green tea. Unfortunately, many teas contain caffeine, which for some people can cause side effects ranging from small tremors to anxiety and sleep disorders. Luckily, even after the caffeine has been removed from tea, many of the potential health benefits remain.
Calories
One of the leading reasons that caffeine-free tea is healthy is that unsweetened varieties and those sweetened with artificial sweeteners have zero calories. This means that tea easily can be added to a weight loss diet without adding additional liquid calories to your overall daily caloric totals.
Flavanols and Antioxidants
Much of the health benefits of tea comes from the presence of flavanols and antioxidants, which might be slightly reduced by the process of removing caffeine but still are present. These components of tea often are linked to anti-aging properties and the reduction of damage to your body's cells, as well as the healing of damaged cells that occur with age and exposure to external elements.
Inflammation
Studies continue examining the effects of tea on inflammation, with mixed results. Although no firm findings have been found, research by organizations such as Ghent University in Belgium and the Department of Foods Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois suggests that regular consumption of tea might reduce issues with chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is believed to be associated with a wide range of diseases, including arthritis, heart disease and cancer. Additional research continues to be undertaken to prove the benefits or lack of benefits of tea in regards to inflammation.
Brain Health
Tea also might positively benefit your brain health, suggests 2009 research published in the "Brain Behavior and Immunity" journal. It is believed that the tea catechins, especially in green tea, might act in neuroprotection by increasing vascular function as well as mental function. The amino acid theanine also might help in brain function by increasing cognition.
References
- MayoClinic.org: Drinking Tea May Offer Health Benefits, but Evidence Still Limited
- CNN: Soak Up Tea's Nutritional Benefits
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Green Tea: Potential Health Benefits
- American Dietetic Association: What is an Antioxidant?
- "Atherosclerosis"; Epidemiological evidence for an association between habitual tea consumption and markers of chronic inflammation; December 2006;
- "Brain, Behavior, and Immunity"; Bioactive components of tea: Cancer, inflammation and behavior; August 2009
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