The Benefits of Tea:
 

In our Healthy Brain worksheet, drinking green tea (without milk) is for Gold level objectives; this is because of its anti-oxidant properties. The higher the quality, and the fresher the tea, the greater the brain boost. Jasmine tea has the greatest amount of antioxidants, and is part of the Okinawa lifestyle.

Herbal teas do not have the antioxidant benefits of ‘conventional’ tea, which is made from camellia, the tea plant used to produce white, green, oolong and black teas. The treatment of the tea leaves to produce black tea is believed to reduce the quantity of antoxidants.

There are antioxidants in two alternatives to conventional tea:

  • Rooibos (or red tea) - A non-caffeinated infusion made from a legume native to South Africa. It is an excellent evening drink for tea drinkers because it won’t keep you awake.
  • Mate - A South American infusion brewed from the yerba mate plant, it should be noted that mate is a stimulant. Beware of drinking this in the afternoon or later in the day if you have difficulty sleeping.

The antioxidants in tea may be neutralized or diminished by the addition of milk.
 

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