With over 100 million cups of tea being consumed across the UK each day, it’s fair to say that tea is one of the nation’s most beloved drinks. The history of tea in Britain demonstrates how the UK’s love affair with tea came around and how the delicious beverage we are familiar with today came to be.

Most of us enjoy a cup of tea for its’ refreshing taste or as an afternoon pick-me-up. For others, tea is a part of relaxing evening routines as they prepare to wind down before bed. But how many of us think of the health benefits of tea when boiling the kettle or taking a sip? Many of us consume this beverage every day without realising the many natural health benefits that it has to offer.

People all over the world have been drinking tea for centuries and modern science has proven that there is reason behind this. From improved sleep to reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes, here is a list of reasons you should consider incorporating tea into your daily routine if you don’t already.

Tea contains antioxidants

First up, all different types of tea are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants in tea provide a number of health benefits including helping to protect your body from free radicals by removing them and reducing cell damage caused by oxidisation.

Despite myth, there is no such thing as an ‘antioxidant tea’ as all tea blends contain antioxidants. Polyphenols are the main antioxidants in tea that improve the health of the body. Scientific studies show that different teas such as black teas, green teas and oolong teas contain the same levels of these antioxidant chemicals although the proportions are dependent on its plant origin.

The antioxidants in tea may also support your immune health. They protect your body from free radicals from pollution, cigarette smoke and ultraviolet rays which can weaken your immune system. As well as plain teas, organic herbal teas are also known to have immune-boosting tea qualities. The best herbs to boost immune system health depends on the given spices, roots, seeds, fruit, leaves and plants used in the tea.

Tea may reduce risk of heart attacks and strokes

Drinking tea on a regular basis has also been found to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attacks and strokes. Tea leaves used in black teas and oolong teas are packed full of another group of antioxidants called flavonoids which are known to benefit heart health, decrease inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

For those who prefer green tea, you will be pleased to know that it is also associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. Most significantly, green tea contains antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate that prevent buildup in the arteries and improve blood vessel function.

It is believed that these benefits are most effective with habitual tea drinkers and for those that drink more than one cup of tea a day. Bear in mind, drinking natural teas should be monitored as caffeine found in many different types of tea may counteract their cardiovascular benefits.

Tea may soothe the digestive system

Consuming organic herbal tea after a meal is a great way to soothe the stomach, improve the digestive system and boost gut health. Natural tea helps the body metabolise and also decreases bloating so drinking tea can be a great way to aid digestion and soothe the stomach after eating. Incorporating types of herbal tea into your diet is also a tasty way to stay hydrated and reach your daily fluid intake goals.

There is increasing scientific evidence that organic herbal teas and natural remedies can effectively soothe gut issues. The best teas for digestion and gut health include natural peppermint tea and chamomile tea. Peppermint tea has been used in herbal medicine for centuries and is proven to relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal stress. Chamomile tea, on the other hand, is known to reduce symptoms of acid reflux as well as bloating.

Tea may improve sleep

Certain types of non-caffeinated tea or ‘bedtime teas’ are known to improve sleep. Naturally caffeine-free herbal teas such as chamomile are an excellent calming tea for helping us relax and wind down in an evening. The best tea for sleep and relaxation are non-caffeinated. This is because caffeine is a stimulant and makes our brains more alert so should ideally be avoided before bed.

Many of us should incorporate a routine into our evenings to help us switch off and relax before bed, especially if you have been looking at a screen all day. Having a cup of calming tea will help you wind down and is also known to reduce anxiety and improve mental wellbeing among other benefits.

When choosing the perfect night tea, you will just need to make sure it is caffeine free as all natural teas contain the amino acid I-theanine which helps us relax and sleep better. There are lots of different non-caffeinated tea flavours and tea fusions available so you are sure to find something to your liking that will help you get your recommended 7 to 9 hours sleep a night.

Tea contains less caffeine than coffee

As we have already highlighted, caffeine is a stimulant that has the potential to affect the nervous system, blood pressure and heart rate which risk further health complications. Although caffeine is generally safe, it is linked to anxiety, restlessness and trembling. Tea naturally contains less caffeine than coffee so is a great alternative to those more sensitive to caffeine. Of course, decaffeinated coffee and tea are available to purchase.

Penningtons naturally remove the caffeine from tea by soaking it in water and liquid carbon dioxide which preserves the teas natural flavours. Similarly, we remove 99.9% of the caffeine from coffee using Swiss water decaffeination which is a gentle process that preserves the unique flavour.

The best way to cut caffeine out of your diet completely is by opting for herbal drinks. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free and can be enjoyed at any time of the day, whilst improving your overall health. Penningtons offer an exquisite range of herbal tea bags and loose-leaf teas for you to try.

There are many compelling reasons to incorporate tea into your daily routine and with caffeinated and non-caffeinated tea blends available, your favourite teas can be enjoyed both day and night. Whether you prefer black tea, green tea or herbal tea, you’re sure to enjoy the many health benefits that this delicious beverage has to offer.

Penningtons’ offer a unique range of speciality teas, loose leaf teas and herbal tea bags from ethical and sustainable farms around the world.

Try our delicious tea blends today.