Tea is well-loved around the world and there are many reasons why. All over the globe people include tea in their daily rituals, whether that looks like starting their morning with a cup of caffeinated tea blend, enjoying an afternoon tea time, winding down from a long day with a cup of tea before bed, or all of these moments throughout the day. Because tea is so loved, tea gifts are wonderful presents to give and receive. Tea is both healthy and delicious. The natural benefits of tea have been understood and utilized for centuries; some of these include relaxation, energy, healthy digestion, normal blood pressure levels, sleep quality, immune health, relief of head and neck tension, and mental health support.
Knowing the many amazing side effects of drinking tea might have caused you to wonder whether increased heart health is another benefit. Since tea and tea products make excellent tea gifts that you can share with loved ones, and since tea is possibly a consistent part of your daily routine, it’s important to know. We are here to answer all your pressing questions about whether drinking tea can improve heart health, so keep reading to learn about another advantage of tea.
Is There a Link Between Tea and Heart Health?
Here’s some great news to kickstart your day: along with all of the other aforementioned benefits of drinking tea, there is also a link between some tea blends and the promotion of a healthy heart! Tea can improve your heart health by soothing swelling in the body because of the antioxidants it contains. It also promotes healthy blood pressure levels due to its flavonoids’ ability to support normal blood pressure. There is also evidence to sustain the idea that some types of tea can help prevent plaque on your arteries. Knowing the amazing effects of tea on your heart health, be sure you give tea gifts to those you know will benefit from increased tea consumption!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind When Drinking Tea
We now know that tea is beneficial for your mind and body’s overall health, but this pertains to tea in its rawest form. You might be familiar with the different ways to brew different types of tea like white, black, and green, but there are other factors that shape how your cup of tea turns out. There are a few considerations you should keep in mind when drinking tea if you want to receive the most benefits from this liquid. When you give tea gifts, be sure to share this knowledge as well.
Sugar Counteracts the Benefits of Tea
You probably know the saying that reminds that everything in moderation is okay, but it is especially true when it comes to sugar. Tea in its purest form is the best for you, but it’s natural to want to sweeten your cup of tea a bit in order to enjoy it more. Loading up your cup of tea with sugar, artificial flavors, or even too much natural sweetener like honey will undo the benefits of tea so that the daily cup you’re drinking isn’t helping you at all. Sugar is one ingredient that is especially damaging to your heart health, as it can lead to heightened blood pressure. Be mindful of how you drink your tea, and let your tea stand on its own.
Avoid Extremely Hot Tea
Everyone has experienced burning their tongue on a really hot liquid, which serves as a reminder to allow drinks to cool before drinking them, but there’s another reason to let your tea sit before taking that first sip; consuming your tea when it is too hot (for example, over 140 degrees fahrenheit) can damage your esophagus and actually lead to a risk of esophageal cancer. This is true with any hot liquid—harming your throat and esophagus in this way too often can be detrimental. Let your tea cool to a comfortable temperature before enjoying it.
Don’t Overconsume Tea
Now that you know the amazing benefits of tea, you might be thinking that you should start drinking it all the time, but be wary of your dosage because it is possible to consume too much tea. As with every natural ingredient, there are optimal limits you should consume and negative effects of exceeding them. If you drink more than four cups of tea a day, you put yourself at risk for decreased iron levels, since the tannins in tea prevent your body from easily absorbing iron. Too much caffeinated tea can also lead to feelings of stress and overwhelm, as well as too much nervous energy buzzing through your body.
Tea is a powerful natural supporter of many areas of health and wellness, including your heart health. Be sure to consume a healthy dosage of tea daily (not more than 3-4 cups) and share the good news with your friends! Tea gifts are both thoughtful and beneficial to give to those in your life who would also like to maintain their health through the simple and relaxing act of drinking tea.