Jasmine tea is made from the leaves and flowers of the jasmine plant and is most often green tea, though it can also be black or white tea. These leaves and flowers are used alongside the tea leaves to create an aromatic blend that has a whole host of benefits. Whether you buy it in tea bags or as loose leaf tea, there are some definite perks that come from adding it to your routine. Why? Keep reading to find out.
It Contains Antioxidants
Most kinds of tea contain antioxidants to some degree. Antioxidants help fight free radical damage in your body, helping to prevent a wide range of health problems, including cancer and heart disease. This tea is high in a specific type of antioxidant called polyphenols, which are anti-inflammatory, which means they can battle everything from gum disease to heart disease.
Could Help with Weight Loss
Some research shows that drinking jasmine green tea can boost your metabolism, which increases the number of calories your body burns. This can result in weight loss by helping you burn fat. However, it’s important to note that tea on its own isn’t going to have a huge effect on your weight loss efforts, though it can contribute to success when combined with other healthy choices, such as cutting calories and getting more exercise.
May Enhance Brain Function
There are several ways that this type of tea can benefit your brain. It contains caffeine, which studies show can stimulate brain activity and boost your mood by releasing feel good chemicals called endorphins. This means you’ll feel more alert and happier. In addition, tea contains a specific amino acid that works to relax your brain and help you stay attentive at the same time. This makes it a great choice for mornings and afternoons when you need to be productive.
Could Protect Against Dementia
Because it is a tea that is high in antioxidants that battle inflammation, it makes sense that it could play a role in reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It also helps neutralize free radicals, which play a role in the development of this devastating brain condition by controlling inflammation in your brain. Combined with other healthy lifestyle choices, tea may help ward off cognitive decline that comes with aging, provided you drink it on a regular basis.
May Lower the Risk of Diabetes
Jasmine tea has been linked to a lower risk of developing diabetes, specifically, type 2 diabetes. This occurs when your body cannot properly make insulin. Tea contains EGCG, a substance that can help control blood sugar levels by controlling insulin. Some studies show that drinking jasmine green tea on a regular basis can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, so it pays to include it as a regular part of your routine. Tea should never replace traditional methods of treating your type 2 diabetes but could be a good addition to your treatment plan. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your current one.
It Can Calm You
The ritual of drinking tea on its own is both soothing and relaxing. However, it can also produce a calm feeling due to its content of linalool, a substance that comes from the jasmine flower and that helps soothe the autonomous nervous system to help you regulate your breathing, heart rate and digestion. Combined, this effect can improve your mood and help you unwind after a busy day or stressful event.
Low in Fat and Calories
One of the best things about jasmine green tea is that it contains no fat or calories, as long as you don’t add milk, sugar or cream to it before drinking. That makes it an ideal addition to a healthy diet as it won’t contribute to weight gain or a higher than recommended intake of fat. This allows you to enjoy this fragrant and delicious tea on a regular basis without health concerns. It also contains trace amounts of nutrients, including zinc, iron, potassium and copper, which, when combined with a healthy meal plan, can improve your health and prevent deficiencies that contribute to health problems.
If you’re ready to add jasmine tea to your diet, consider buying quality loose leaf tea or tea bags at an online tea and coffee shop, such as Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where you can find exactly what you’re looking for when you’re in the mood for tea.
