We usually have one vice or another that can complicate us. Sometimes those vices can negatively affect our lives a great deal; while others can become annoyances. But, as in most cases, vices in moderation are okay.
Take coffee and tea. Both provide positive, stimulating effects; that when consumed in excess can negatively affect your physical and emotional health. Personally, I love my Grande-Soy-Sugarfree-Cinnamon Dolce-latte from Starbucks. I consume one nearly everyday, and some days, two. But, as you can see, I supplement the sugary syrups and the lactose-fatty milk with other viable options. It is the taste that I enjoy the most and I do appreciate the uplifting feeling I receive 15 minutes after consumption. Did you know that caffeine takes only up to 15 minutes to take effect, and can last only about an hour. That is why we often feel somewhat tired after. But it all depends on our digestion.
Health & Wellness coaches, friends of mine, and even Oprah; suggest consuming tea is better than coffee. So, I ventured out to find the answers; and wouldn’t you know it, two days later in a sitting room at my physicians office, I found them. WebMD Magazine featured an article in its latest, June 2009 edition regarding the effects of tea. I will provide the excerpt from the article here, because it is recommended by physicians and has been reviewed by the Mayo Clinic Board and Nutrition Review.
- – “Tea is a name given to a lot of brews, but purists consider only green, black, white, oolong, and pu-erh teas the real thing. All are derived from teh same plant and contain unique antioxidants called flavonoids. Potential health benefits include:
Green tea: Its antioxidants could interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectacl cancers. Green tea might also prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.
Black tea: this has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for flavored teas such as chai and some instant teas. Studies show black team might protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also could reduce the risk of stroke.
White tea: One study showed white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared with more processed teas, such as black or oolong.
Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea had lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels.
Pu-erg tea: A black tea, its fermented and aged leaves are pressed into cakes. In one animal study, those given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol.”
In my book, green tea wins. So next time your in your local coffee shop, why not try and subsitute your favorite latte for a green tea; you might just like it.
