Tea is distinctively rich in healthful properties

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has featured 11 studies highlighting the many ways in which tea can supposedly improve our well-being.

Here are some of the benefits the researchers discovered:

Tea drinking appears to lower the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Natural compounds called polyphenols in green tea might protect against several cancers, including those of the prostate, GI tract, lungs, breast, and skin.

Caffeine and antioxidants called catechins found in green, oolong, and white teas may increase metabolism and promote weight loss.

Tea polyphenols are thought to strengthen bones and protect against fractures.

People who drink tea could see improvements in mood, concentration, and performance.

Is tea uniquely healthy?

Tea is distinctively rich in healthful properties. “Tea is uniquely plentiful in catechins, and especially epicatechins, which are believed to be the component responsible for many of its purported health effects,” says Dr. Howard Sesso, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The less processed tea leaves are, the more health-promoting catechins they contain, Dr. Sesso says. Green teas have the most nutritional benefit, followed by oolong and black teas.

002