What's your cuppa tea?

- by Justaqi -

Studies have shown that drinking tea can help reduce the risk of getting cancer, diabetes, heart diseases as well as lowering your cholesterol levels and body weight. Tea contains plenty of anti-oxidant and antimicrobial properties that are good for your body. So what are you waiting for, ladies? Time to put your party hats on for some tea-breaking session!

First off, Black Tea!

Black Tea is probably the most common choice of all teas and has one of the highest content of caffeine with a whopping 40mg of caffeine in a cup. Constant drinking of this tea can help you in lowering the cholesterols level and cut your risk of having stroke by 21%! A study showed that lungs that are exposed to cigarette smoke may be protected when a person drinks this type of tea. Black tea has a fuller taste than other teas, and some considered it having an earthy flavour!

Or... do you prefer White Tea?

Derived from the buds and leaves of Camellia sinensis plant with a whitish appearance on the outside, did you know that there’s a tale behind the discovery of white tea? According to the Chinese legend, an emperor was travelling in the countryside when he decided to stop for a drink and ordered the water to be boiled since it was unfit for drinking. A tea leaf accidentally fell into his hot cup of water and POOF, there you have it - WHITE TEA! The leaf is the least processed and unfermented type of tea, and is also believed to be most beneficial in preventing cancer due to the antibacterial and antiviral properties. This tea has a lighter and sweeter taste compared to other kinds of tea.

Try Oolong Tea!

Oolong teas are easy to find and you can normally see them on the shelves of almost any convenience stores around you. Its anti-oxidant properties can help fight off free radicals and prevent tooth decay. Not only that, this super tea can also boost your metabolism and activate a type of enzyme in your body to trim a type of fat called triglycerides to help you lose weight. Oolong tea contains Vitamin B3 to help detoxify your body and has a strong full bodied, fragrant taste that you might just be addicted to!

Last but not least, Green Tea!

The superhero of all teas! Green tea requires only a light process and is purely unfermented. It is either steamed, sun dried, roasted or baked to stop it from fermenting. Besides the reduce of cancer and stroke risks, it also prevents clogging of the arteries, minimises risks of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as well as improves your cholesterol levels. It contains compounds that help in weight loss too! So, if you’re looking for a more natural way to tuck away that muffin top of yours, just drink a good amount of green tea every day! Green tea has a slightly bitter or some say, 'grassy' taste but you'll get the hang of it!

There you have it, ladies. Your top tea picks for today!

Photo credits (from top): Vanessa p., Brent, Carol, Calgary Reviews, TheFoodJunk