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Why a cup of tea a day works wonders for your body and soul

10.1.2024

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

In the mountains of China, people started drinking tea as a remedy 3,000 years ago. To this day, it’s used worldwide to treat insomnia, stress and strokes. Find out why tea is so healthy and how to pick the right one for any situation.

Tea tastes great, feels good and makes you live longer. If you haven’t yet learned to love the herbal hot drink, you’ll be thanking me after reading this. Why? Because there’s hardly anything that benefits both your body and soul so gracefully and effortlessly as the hot drink hailing from the mountains of China, the cradle of tea. A Chinese proverb sums up the drink’s importance: «To drink tea is to forget the noise of the world.»

And it’s not just during the winter months that tea helps you relax, strengthens your immune system and promotes general health, but all year round. Here’s how to find the right tea for every situation and why it’s worth pouring yourself at least one cup a day.

Why drinking tea is so healthy

I suppose I’m preaching to the choir. After all, tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water.

The beverage’s appreciated for its fine taste and healing effect on the body and mind. From preventing diabetes to helping you sleep – tea benefits many bodily functions. Just how great the potential of tea is has been proven by a global study. Two to three cups of tea a day reduces overall mortality, the risk of cardiac deaths, coronary heart disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes. Harmful side effects of drinking tea were only found when the beverage was consumed at temperatures between 55 to 60 degrees Celsius.

The health benefits of tea are due to its antioxidants – polyphenols in particular. They scavenge free radicals and render them harmless, stimulate cell division and protect the heart and blood vessels. Tea polyphenols therefore have a positive effect on diseases including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular issues, studies show.

For an early boost: green tea

Green tea contains a particularly large number of polyphenols. They make up around 30 to 42 per cent of its dry weight. A polyphenol called epogallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in particular is associated with many of the health-promoting effects of green tea – including the ability to counteract diet-related obesity.

Thanks to its antimicrobial and antioxidant effect, green tea prevents inflammation and promotes beautiful, healthy skin.

Consumed in the morning, green tea has further benefits. The theine it naturally contains has an invigorating effect, promotes brain activity, lifts your mood and stimulates your metabolism. All these effects will help you get off to a healthy and energised start.

Tea

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Swiss Alpine Herbs Green Tea

48 g

Against stress: jasmine tea

As most days are unlikely to stay as laid-back as they were when you were having your first cuppa, it’s time to take a look at a tea that will help you deal with the stress of your first meeting of the day: jasmine tea.

Its stress-busting ability has been demonstrated on rats, as studies show. The calming effect, including the reduction of depressive moods, can be explained by the gut-brain axis. Jasmine tea strengthens the microbiome and simultaneously activates neurotransmitters in the hippocampus – the emotional centre of the brain.

Besides, just sitting down with a warm cup of tea, staring into the rising steam and taking a little break from your working day also has a calming effect on body and soul.

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Alnatura Bio Grüner Tee Jasmin

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For digestion: cumin and camomile tea

Camomile tea is associated with many health benefits. It’s said to promote sleep, help tackle sleep disorders and regulate blood sugar levels.

It also helps relieve digestive problems, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect and can even prevent stomach ulcers. Another tea that has properties promoting healthy digestion is cumin. It prevents bloating, relieves stomach cramps and reduces flatulence. In a study published in the Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases, even some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome were reduced by a two-week course of caraway tea. Cumin tea is most effective in combination with fennel and aniseed.

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Teemotion Anis Kümmel Fenchel

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Swisstea Chamomile tea mont Soleil (63 g)

Tea

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Swisstea Chamomile tea mont Soleil

63 g

For a healthy bladder: dandelion tea

If you regularly suffer from bladder infections, you need to drink lots of liquids. Dandelion tea, for example. In addition to its diuretic effect, a study has also shown that it has antifungal properties, i.e. helps counteract infections and fungal diseases.

The study also proves that dandelion extract combats Escherichia coli bacteria – the bacteria that cause bladder infections and urinary tract infections.

Tea

L'Herbier de France Dandelion

50 g

Against period cramps: nettle and fennel tea

Nature also has a remedy for pain in the lower abdomen , namely fennel tea. It’s probably most commonly used to treat colic in infants aged around three months. But fennel is also extremely effective in adults, especially to relieve menstrual cramps. A study shows that menstrual cramps can be significantly reduced by taking fennel extract. Prepared as a tea, it has both analgaesic and antispasmodic properties as well as a soothing effect on period pains due to its warmth.

Nettle tea works similarly well during periods. It regulates the hormone balance and therefore reduces heavy bleeding and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Bloating and sensitive breasts, for example. Nettle tea is also rich in iron, an elementary trace element for women who have periods.

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Sonnentor Nettle tea

50 g

Tea

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Swiss Alpine Herbs Fennel

14 g

For beautiful hair: black tea

Black tea also has many positive effects. After green tea, it contains the highest levels of antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols, which protect the heart, cells and blood vessels. The theine/caffeine (which are chemically the same thing) in black tea is also a real volume booster for your hair. This is because caffeine prevents hair loss and stimulates hair growth, as studies have shown.

And not only when you drink it. Black tea can also be used as a conditioner.

Tea

Twinings English Breakfast

50 g

Teemotion Assam TGFOP SF Rembeng (100 g)

Tea

CHF19.90 CHF199.–/1kg

Teemotion Assam TGFOP SF Rembeng

100 g

London Tea Darjeeling Tea Organic (155 g)

Tea

Quantity discount

CHF15.50 per piece for 4 units CHF100.–/1kg

London Tea Darjeeling Tea Organic

155 g

For a good night’s sleep: lavender and camomile tea

A cup of lukewarm tea is often all it takes to unwind in the evening. It has a calming effect, promotes sleep, improves your mood and relieves anxiety.

You may have heard of the calming effect associated with camomile tea. The apigen in it contains makes you feel sleepy, helps you sleep through the night and even fight sleep disorder, as studies have shown studies. In other words, perfect to include in your bedtime ritual.

Tea

L'Herbier de France Organic lavender

30 g

Header image: Shutterstock

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Olivia Leimpeters-Leth

Autorin von customize mediahouse

oliver.fischer@digitecgalaxus.ch

I'm a sucker for flowery turns of phrase and allegorical language. Clever metaphors are my Kryptonite – even if, sometimes, it's better to just get to the point. Everything I write is edited by my cat, which I reckon is more «pet humanisation» than metaphor. When I'm not at my desk, I enjoy going hiking, taking part in fireside jamming sessions, dragging my exhausted body out to do some sport and hitting the occasional party.

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