Nicole La Placa
Tea has several health benefits
Nicole La Placa | Highlands Today
Published: January 22, 2013
Q: What are some health benefits of drinking tea? — Susan, SebringPublished: January 22, 2013
A: Many people (especially the ones living in the South) associate "tea" with sweet tea. Sweet tea is actually brewed black tea with sugar added.
Black tea has the highest caffeine concentration of all teas, which is comparable to the amount of caffeine contained in coffee. However, not all tea contains caffeine. There are numerous types of teas such as black tea, green tea, white tea, herbal tea, and tea made from roots such as ginger and turmeric.
Each tea carries its own health benefits. Generally speaking, tea is good for you. Tea contains antioxidants, which fight against free radical damage caused by toxins in our environment and food.
For example, green tea is a healthy beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold, and is also available as decaffeinated or regular. In addition to antioxidants, green tea is also thought to help increase metabolism, which contributes to maintaining a healthy weight. Herbal tea, such as mint, is known to help digestion. If you are feeling uncomfortable after a meal, drink a cup of warm mint tea to help relieve symptoms of indigestion. Root tea such as ginger or turmeric will help reduce inflammation in your body.
Teas come in a variety of packages such as loose tea and bag tea. The higher-quality teas are loose teas, which can be made by putting the tea in a stainless steel tea ball. Bagged tea will also provide benefits; however, it may have a slightly different flavor. Visit your local grocer and experiment with the different teas and find one that is suited for your needs.
Q: What are probiotics? — Holly, Sebring
A: Probiotics are healthy bacteria that improve the health of your digestive system. There are hundreds of different types of bacteria living in our intestines that help break down food and maintain a healthy intestinal lining. Having healthy bacteria helps boost your immune system and bowel movements, and for many women, probiotics help prevent chronic yeast infections.
Probiotics are sold at health food stores in pill form and in liquid. There are different strains of probiotics; each one has its own properties. Ask the person working at the store which strain will be best to meet your individual needs. Probiotics can also be found in food items such as Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is high in protein but does contain some sugar, which can create more yeast in your body. Taking probiotics will ensure that you are getting the healthy bacteria that your body needs to stay healthy.
Nicole La Placa is a Certified Health Coach and lives in Highlands County. Send letters to LyricalNutrition@Ymail.com or visit www.LyricalNutrition.com