Tea time is me time!

What’s good for your heart, your skin, your mind and your soul?  Afternoon tea with PinnacleHealth! Often considered a leisurely practice, tea time provides a great opportunity to not only take a well-deserved break but to enjoy the health benefits of tea as well.  Read on to learn more about the history and the benefits of tea drinking and how you can help others by planning a little tea time me time with PinnacleHealth!

History of Tea

Tea dates back to early China and was used for generations for its medicinal properties. Tea is often associated with Chinese monks as well because they used the brewed drink to keep them awake so they could meditate.  Early on a tea shortage led to only royal having access to tea leaves but soon enough more tea was discovered and all citizens began to enjoy the taste and benefits of tea.

In the 17^th century tea made its way to England where it generated a reputation of being a ritual of relaxation for the aristocratic class. Afternoon tea, or low tea, began with Britain’s Anna, Duchess of Bedford.  Anna found the time between lunch and dinner to be too much to bear, so she began having light refreshments in the afternoon. She invited friends to join her and it quickly turned into a social event and a time to relax.  

Tea drinkers for thousands of years can’t be wrong, and science has proven they are not.  Tea offers some great health benefits as well as an opportunity for a break.

Green tea

Green tea especially has been shown to offer benefits including decreasing the risk of heart disease and lowering your cholesterol.  Green tea also can help with weight loss as it helps to increase metabolism.  Warding off cancer can also be credited to green tea thanks to the antioxidants in the EGCG.  Diabetics have also seen positive impacts on their blood sugars when taking up the habit of tea drinking.  Studies have shown that green tea can also decrease your risk of breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer. 

Ginger Tea

Ginger has anti-nausea properties and helps soothe and upset stomach.

Peppermint Tea

Studies have shown that simply smelling mint can stimulate the brain and provide a boost of wakefulness

Black Tea

Studies have shown that people who include black tea in their diets had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and were more relaxed and able to complete difficult tasks. Research shows it may also help prevent clogged arteries, improve blood vessel functioning, and lower blood pressure which all help with cardiovascular health.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile has a calming effect and is often recommended as a nightcap for those seeking restful sleep.  Because of its sedative effects, it is also great for people who experience anxiety.

Regardless of the type of tea you drink, just taking the time to relax for a few moments will provide you with min refreshing and stress reducing effects that will make you feel better.

Want to try out the relaxing effects of tea time? JoinPinnacleHealth on May 28th for our MVP Tea for Mammograms at the West Shore Country Club.

 All proceeds go to the Mammogram Voucher Program (MVP) that pays for mammograms for women who cannot afford them.  By offering this screening, women have had their lives saved because they found a cancer in an early stage when it was most treatable.