Tea vs Coffee – Part Two

Think you know all about your favourite beverage? Well think again. Here is the second instalment of Tea vs Coffee.

We explore how different levels of caffeine can affect your mood and the surprising relationship between tea and your beauty regime. Tea may taste great but the best bit is that by drinking the right tea your health can benefit!

In part one we touched on the benefits of tea and its use in detoxing, weight loss and quality of sleep, in comparison with its age old rival, coffee. Let’s see how many other reasons we can find as to why tea is our winning beverage!

Tea and Your Beauty Regime

It is said that true beauty come from inside you.  Learn some of the advantages that drinking tea and herbal infusions can provide physically and even spiritually.  Many also have topical benefits. You may not have realised the many properties of teas when it comes to looking your best. Read on …

As black, green and white teas all come from the same plant (camellia sinensis), they have more or less a similar chemical makeup. They all contain caffeine, tannins, and antioxidants. Herbal teas, such as camomile or nettle on the other hand, also hold their own when boasting benefits.

Here are just a few suggestions on how tea can give you that healthy glow:

Hair and Nails

Green tea is a great source of panthenol, so if you’re struggling with split ends you can simply rinse out your hair with green tea, black tea, oolong or rooibos, after using regular shampoo – your hair will look shinier and softer.

With its powerful anti-inflammatory effects, peppermint tea soothes the scalp and can prevent irritation and inflammation. According to scientists, this is beneficial not only for preventing dandruff, but also for relieving the symptoms of psoriasis.

The antiseptic ingredients in black tea remove dead skin cells and impurities that may block hair follicles, preventing their clogging and allowing hairs to grow again.

Add a golden sheen to blonde hair with a chamomile rinse. Healthy, strong, glossy hair feeds on an abundance of minerals, namely iron and zinc. Nettle leaf is a rich source of both minerals, wonderful for both your hair and nails.

Skin

Lemongrass Tea is said to not only cleanse and soothe your gut was a drink but also to help get rid of blemishes and acne when applied cold to the face.

Popular skin creams often contain green tea compounds due to their anti-aging and UV protection properties.

Cold black tea bags over the eyes during a pamper session can help to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Black tea is also a great topical remedy for sunburn. Black tea is packed with antioxidants and fights free radicals in the body, slowing the signs of aging. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and encourages a healthy immune system due to the high caffeine levels. As Laura Wood recommends, next time you’re thinking about enjoying a cup of tea, try applying a cool black tea rinse directly to the face.

Oral Health

Teas contain tannins, which have a bactericide effect and can reduce potential bad breath. To ease toothache or other mouth pain, you can rinse your mouth with a cup of hot peppermint tea mixed with a pinch or two of salt. Peppermint is an antiseptic and contains menthol, which alleviates pain on contact with skin surfaces.

Green tea is said to be good for the teeth because in addition to the tannins, polyphenols and fluoride it contains help prevent staining, fight bacteria and help maintain enamel respectively.

Keep Calm and Drink Tea

Our mood and mental health affect every aspect of our lives and can have a huge impact on our physical health. There are strong links between good mental health and good physical health.  Tea has long been associated with stamina and concentration as well as relaxation, helping reduce stress. 

Many cultures offer tea to provide hospitality and refreshment expressing openness and welcome.  Tea, in particular green tea, has also been found to work as an anti-depressant, meaning that enjoying a cup next time you’re feeling a little low might just help boost your mood. Rooibos tea is a naturally caffeine-free alternative that boosts your energy whilst also managing your stress and mood thanks to its calming properties.

So amazed at all the benefits teas boast that you don’t want to forget any?

The cherry on the cake… a herbal tea that can help us remember!!!

We all want to hold on to those special memories for as long as we can. Dana Dovey from Medical Daily refers to a new study which suggests peppermint tea may be more useful than just a refreshing way to help break up a hectic day; it can also improve both short- and long-term working memory. Results have shown links between peppermint tea and enhanced mood and cognition. Improved long-term memory, working memory, and alertness…just a few more reasons to reach for a refreshing cup of peppermint tea.

We could talk forever about the health properties of teas and infusions and we certainly can’t wait to put some of these to the test and get that healthy glow for summer.

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