Tea and its health effects

When we talk about the health effects of tea, we are always talking about whole leaf tea from Camellia sinensis. Tisanes made from other plants may have other effects and tea bags that mostly consist of flavored tea dust cannot be guaranteed. Yerba Maté is a chapter in itself.

The nutrient content varies from tea to tea. Each tea contains different amounts of the different substances and as you are advised to eat a varied diet, we recommend drinking a variety of teas for the same reason. If you find a tea that you want to drink every day, that is the healthiest for you.

At a very basic level, we say that tea contains (among other things) antioxidants, caffeine (in varying amounts) and L-theanine.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants bind to the body's oxidants, which are unstable molecules the body produces, and prevent the reactions that can cause cell damage.
The type of antioxidants in tea depends on the type of tea and its oxidation time during production. Oxidation causes antioxidants to bind in chains and create larger antioxidants. Therefore, white and green tea contain the type of catechins, while black tea mostly contains theaflavins. Antioxidants slow down the absorption of caffeine and counteract the nervous stress feeling that caffeine causes.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that reduces feelings of fatigue. The amount of caffeine in tea depends on many factors from cultivation to brewing, but in general we can say that a cup of tea contains a third of the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee. The amount of caffeine can be particularly affected by the amount, water temperature and brewing time, the more of this, the more caffeine. Tea bags contain small pieces of tea leaves and will therefore expose the caffeine faster than whole leaf tea.

When it comes to decaffeinated tea, there is tea that is decaffeinated, which is regular tea that has had the caffeine removed. While the caffeine is gone, some of the nutrients and flavor are also lost. We recommend tisanes as a caffeine-free alternative to decaffeinated tea.

L-theanine

The only way to get L-theanine naturally is through tea. L-theanine is an amino acid that activates alpha waves in the brain. It triggers dopamine and endorphins, providing a relaxed feeling of concentration. When consumed, L-theanine helps to release neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endorphins, chemicals in the brain that naturally promote feelings of well-being and happiness. This process can improve both mood and concentration by creating a relaxed yet focused state, making it ideal for those looking to reduce stress while maintaining mental clarity. Read more about T-theanine and its effects .