Drinking tea and keeping healthy
Tea, originated in China, is popular all over the world. From firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar tea to piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and tea, drinking tea is not only a part of people’s daily life, but also one of the contents of elegant life. What health benefits does a small piece of tea contain? What are the health benefits of drinking tea?
Studies at home and abroad have shown that in addition to nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, tea is also rich in phytochemicals such as tea polyphenols, caffeine, tea polysaccharides, tea pigments, and theanine, which are important for maintaining human health. effect.
Tea polyphenols are the most important active ingredients in tea, and are the general term for polyphenols, including catechins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids. Among them, catechins account for more than 60% of the total amount of tea polyphenols. Studies have found that it has the functions of inhibiting bacterial growth, anti-inflammation, and regulating intestinal flora. Tea polyphenols contain multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups, which have strong antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals, so it can be said to be a natural antioxidant. At the same time, tea polyphenols also have the effects of lowering blood pressure and blood fat.
Some people are sensitive to tea and dare not drink green tea in the afternoon. In fact, the caffeine in the tea is at work. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, and an appropriate amount of caffeine has the effect of refreshing and anti-fatigue.
Tea polysaccharides are water-soluble polysaccharides, including xylose, fucose, glucose, galactose, etc. The content of tea polysaccharide in tea is not high, but it is an important active ingredient, which has the effects of lowering blood fat, lowering blood sugar and resisting salt.
Different teas have different colors, and it is the tea pigment that works. The activity of tea pigment is very strong, but its structural stability is poor, so the color of tea will change as the time of brewing tea changes. Tea pigment has a strong effect of enhancing immunity, lowering blood fat, and resisting arteriosclerosis.
The reason why different tea leaves have different flavors is because the content of theanine is different. Theanine is a unique amino acid substance in tea, which is directly related to the quality of tea. Theanine has the functions of assisting in inhibiting tumors, protecting brain nerve cells and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, enhancing memory, lowering blood pressure, and lowering blood lipids.
In addition, tea also contains a variety of minerals, most of which are zinc, fluorine, and selenium. Zinc is one of the essential trace elements for the human body and plays an important role in the growth and development of the human body; fluorine has a protective effect on teeth. Especially worth mentioning is selenium, which can remove lipid peroxides in the body, protect cardiovascular and myocardial health, and enhance immune function.
In recent years, research at home and abroad has increasingly confirmed the benefits of the main functional components of tea, such as catechins, theaflavins, theanine, and tea polysaccharides, on human health. Such as anti-aging, regulating metabolism, losing weight, regulating intestinal flora, regulating immunity, anti-depression, anti-inflammation, anti-virus and anti-bacterial, strong bones, etc. In a nutshell, the three most valuable core health attributes of drinking tea are delaying aging, regulating metabolism, and enhancing immunity. Drinking tea for a long time can help improve physical fitness.
There are many types of Chinese tea, including green tea, black tea, dark tea, white tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea, each of which has its own characteristics and flavors, aromas, and health benefits, and is loved by people of different age groups.
