Health Benefits of Tea

The Health Benefits of Tea are numerous. According to the UK Tea Council, 4 cups of tea a day, taken with milk, provides you with significant amounts of the following nutrients:

* approximately 17% of the recommended intake for calcium
* 5% for zinc
* 22% for Vitamin B2
* 5% for folic acid
* 5% for Vitamins B1 and B6

The UK Tea Council further notes that a cup of tea also contains manganese, which is essential for general physical development, and potassium which helps to maintain your body's fluid balance.

Whatever your preferences are, whether it’s green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, rooibos tea or a herbal infusion, they all have health benefits.

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) has also deemed tea to be a natural health product and has officially recognized tea for its role in maintaining good health.

"Tea is rich in naturally occurring flavonoids which act as antioxidants," says Dr. Carol Greenwood, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. "In fact, tea is one of the highest sources of antioxidants in the diet."

Antioxidants prevent free radical damage that leads to numerous diseases. These free radicals are introduced into our system through external sources such as exposure to sun, pollution, as well as other factors like diets, stress and smoking.

“This is great news for tea and the millions of Canadians who enjoy tea," says Louise Roberge, President of the Tea Association of Canada. "The approved health claims will help educate consumers about the health benefits of drinking tea."

Green Tea Health Benefits and the Health Benefits of Black Tea can sometimes cause a lively debate and discussion. You be the judge!


Return to Types of Tea from Health Benefits of Tea