A Cuppa Tea

January is national hot tea month. Now I'm American enough to love a good glass of ice tea (or iced, depending on where you are), especially on a hot summer day. But I must have quite a bit of British running through my bloodstream, because I also enjoy a cup of hot tea, especially on a cold, wintry day. Yet, it's not uncommon for me to have one mid-afternoon in the summer, too (in air conditioning, of course).

At one time, people thought tea had little food value. New research, however, is proving this wrong:

Green tea - may prevent bladder, breast, lung, stomach, bladder, pancreatic, and colon cancers; clogging arteries; fat deposits; certain stress on the brain; reduce the risk of Alzheiner's, Parkinson's, and stroke; and lower cholesterol. 

Black tea- may help protect the lungs and reduce the risk of strokes.

White tea - has the most cancer inhibiting ingredients of any tea and may help with the signs of aging.

Oolong tea - lowers cholesterol levels and some varieties, like Wuyi, may help in weight loss.

Herbal teas - 
     Chamomile - may help with diabetes complications, cancer, and sleep disorders
     Echinacea - may help with the common cold
     Hibiscus - may help lower blood pressure
     Rooibos (red tea) - may help fight cancer

More research is needed on most of these. And, as with anything used for health, always consult with your doctor first. Still, it doesn't stop me from drinking a good cup of hot tea for enjoyment.

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