If you're like many people, you believe that tea is good for you; that's why you're brewing a daily cup as a simple way to improve your well-being. But do you know which teas are healthiest and why? Test your tea knowledge below and discover what all the hype is about.
1. What property common to green, black, and oolong teas helps protect against cancer?
2. True or False? Green tea burns calories.
3. True or False? Ading milk to tea counteracts any benefits.
4. Is yerba maté a type of tea?
Answers
1. The antioxidants called catechins in green, black, and oolong teas may inhibit cancer growth, as well as help keep arteries healthy. The anti-inflammatory effects of these three teas can also help provide relief from arthritis.
2. True. Research shows that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant present in green tea, promotes fat oxidation (the chemical breakdown of fat) and also increases the number of calories you burn.
3. False. Adding milk to tea provides calcium and doesn't affect your absorption of antioxidants. However, a spot of milk, nondairy creamer, or soy milk appears to inhibit the insulin-boosting activity of EGCG and thus the antidiabetes qualities of tea. If you drink tea to help prevent diabetes, flavor your drink with lemon only.
4. Technically, no. Though tealike, yerba maté, or maté, comes from the South American plant of the same name (Ilex paraguariensis). Tea, on the other hand, comes from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The brewed leaves and leaf stems of antioxidant-rich yerba maté have a stimulating effect similar to tea.