Most of us got a mug of hot tea in the hope of relieving sore throats and preventing colds.
The concept of tea as a medicine is not new. “Chinese people have used this method for centuries to reduce illness and improve their immune system,” says Houston-based registered dietitian Paulina Lee, RD. He uses Western medical practices and alternative and integrated therapies, and clients are concerned about their health.
Despite the widespread use of tea for immunity, there is little solid scientific evidence to prove that tea offers this type of perk. Read on to learn what we have discovered about how tea can or may not keep your immune system in the right state.
How Tea Supports Your Immunity
Most of the immunity and overall health benefits of tea are associated with a group of antioxidants known as polyphenols. “A significant amount of epidemiological data shows that a polyphenol-rich diet prevents chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes,” said Durham, North Carolina-based Scientific Communications. Senior Director Dr. Megan Meyer said. International Food Information Council. Her past studies examined the effects of nutritional antioxidants on the immune system’s response to influenza.
Dr. Meyer points out a review published in September 2017 Nutrition breaking news, Tea has been found to be particularly rich in polyphenols known as flavonols. These phytochemicals have been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
According to Harvard Health, as far as the immune system is concerned, antioxidants (such as flavonols in tea) help protect the body from pollution, cigarette smoke, and free radicals produced by UV light. According to past reviews, free radicals can have harmful effects on the body, such as weakened immunity.
There are many tea varieties that may support your immune health. Popular options such as green, black, white and oolong tea all come from the same evergreen plant. Camellia sinensisAccording to Harvard TH Chan Public Health School. “What makes them stand out is how they are prepared,” says Meyer. Differences in processing, geographic location, and plant varieties explain the unique flavor and nutritional composition of tea and may mean that some teas are more immune than others.
Herbal teas may also support your immune health. “Most herbal teas are known to have health-supporting properties,” says Lee.
Herbal tea is not made from Camellia Although it is a plant, according to Harvard TH Chan Public Health School, it is from dried herbs, spices, roots, seeds, fruits, or leaves of other plants. Depending on the nutritional composition of the given plant, some herbal teas may be better for your immune health than others.
Further research on tea and immune health is needed
Studies on tea and immune health sound promising, but previous studies have either not used humans or have a relatively small population. Many studies use tea in the form of capsules or tablets. It usually packs much more vegetable compounds than it does in tea bags. Given these limitations, it is difficult to know if and how tea helps the immune health of a typical person. Larger human studies with freshly brewed tea are needed.
That said, health professionals generally agree. Brewed teas and sweeteners are a healthy drink choice. “I personally believe that tea is the best way to add functional foods and herbs to your diet on a daily basis,” says Lee. So drink! And if immune health is your number one concern, you may want to start with this list of top teas for a healthy immune system, from the strongest evidence to the weakest.
