The Benefits of Drinking Chinese Tea

According to modern scientific analysis and identification, tea contains over 450 beneficial chemical components, such as chlorophyll, vitamins, lipids, caffeine, polyphenols, lipopolysaccharides, proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, and minerals, all of which have excellent nutritional value and pharmacological effects on the human body. Tea not only has natural health benefits but also medicinal functions, which are inherent characteristics of the tea leaf.

Types of Chinese Tea

China has the largest variety of tea types in the world, with a rich history and global reputation. Over time, Chinese tea has evolved through several stages: from chewing fresh leaves, brewing teas, drying and storing, to making cakes and loose teas, finally leading to the present tea categories. Chinese tea is commonly categorized in two main ways: by color and by processing methods. The basic tea categories include green tea (绿茶), black tea (红茶), oolong tea (乌龙茶), white tea (白茶), yellow tea (黄茶), and black tea (黑茶), while processed teas include flower tea (花茶), compressed tea (紧压茶), extracted tea (萃取茶), flavored fruit teas (香味果味茶), medicinal health teas (药用保健茶), and beverages with tea (含茶饮料).

Health Benefits of Drinking Tea

1. Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Effects

The catechins in tea have inhibitory effects on a variety of pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus bacteria, and Salmonella. Flavonoids in tea can antagonize histamine, an inflammatory factor, thus achieving anti-inflammatory effects. Tea polyphenols also coagulate bacterial proteins, leading to bacterial death.

2. Vision Improvement

Tea is rich in vitamin C, which can help prevent cataracts, and contains provitamin A—carotene (胡萝卜素), which is involved in the formation of retinal aldehyde, enhancing the ability to distinguish colors.

3. Stimulant Effects

The caffeine and flavonoids in tea stimulate the central nervous system, and catechols can promote circulatory system excitation.

4. Lowering Blood Pressure

The caffeine and catechins in tea can relax blood vessel walls, expand vessel diameter, improve elasticity, and enhance permeability, resulting in reduced blood pressure.

5. Lowering Blood Lipids

Vitamin C in tea can help transfer cholesterol to the liver, lowering blood lipid levels.

6. Blood Sugar Regulation

Tea contains complex sugars such as glucose, arabinose, ribose, catechins, and diphenylamine, which stimulate the secretion of insulin, thus reducing blood sugar levels. Additionally, vitamins C and B1 help promote sugar metabolism.

7. Prevention of Cavities and Bad Breath

The fluoride and polyphenols in tea can kill lactobacilli and other bacteria that cause tooth decay. Tea polyphenols also inhibit cavity-causing bacteria, and the aromatic compounds and palmitic acid in tea help eliminate bad breath.

8. Diuretic Effects

Tea promotes the filtration of urine from the kidneys through the combined action of theobromine, caffeine, and aromatic oils.

9. Anti-Fatigue Effects

Tea helps eliminate lactic acid from the body through its diuretic effects, which can reduce muscle fatigue.

10. Anti-Diarrheal Effects

The catechins in tea can significantly inhibit pathogens in the intestines, thus helping to relieve diarrhea.

11. Hangover Relief

Vitamin C in tea assists in the action of alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver, breaking down alcohol into water and carbon dioxide. Caffeine helps eliminate alcohol rapidly through urine and inhibits the kidneys’ reabsorption of alcohol. Strong tea also stimulates the central nervous system, expands blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and promotes circulation. Polyphenols in tea can combine with ethanol, reducing the alcohol content in the bloodstream.

12. Anti-Aging Effects

Catechins in tea have antioxidant effects, and the blood pressure-lowering and lipid-reducing actions also contribute to longevity.

13. Anti-Radiation Effects

Polyphenols in tea have the ability to absorb radioactive strontium and prevent its spread, and they can increase the white blood cell count during radiation therapy.

14. Anti-Cancer Effects

Tea polyphenols and catechins can inhibit and block the formation of nitrosamines, suppress enzymes that activate carcinogens, and eliminate free radicals. The best anti-cancer effects are found in green tea (绿茶), followed by oolong tea (乌龙茶) and black tea (红茶).

By understanding the various health benefits, it’s clear that drinking Chinese tea is not only a pleasurable experience but also an effective way to improve overall health. Whether you are looking to enhance your immune system, improve digestion, or reduce the risk of chronic diseases, Chinese tea offers a natural, enjoyable way to support your health.