Iced tea is a flavorful alternative source of hydration. Unlike sugary beverages, iced tea is a healthier alternative to water. After all, the main ingredient in homemade iced tea is water. Being made primarily out of water, iced tea allows your body to replenish its water source in no time.
Due to the hot summer of 1904, people ignored any hot drinks and went in search of cold drinks, including iced tea. Because of this, it changed the way the rest of Americans thought of tea, thus popularizing iced tea.
Contains caffeine, which may be addictive
Different types of tea contain varying amounts of caffeine, the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance worldwide. It's a natural stimulant, and the compound most often blamed for tea's potentially addictive properties ( 2 ).
Tea has an amino acid that is shown to reduce stress
This amino acid is called theanine. There are numerous studies showing that people who take theanine supplements consistently have lower levels of stress. And when you combine theanine with caffeine, it helps to boost your brain activity as well as your mood.
Though moderate intake is healthy for most people, drinking too much could lead to negative side effects, such as anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, and disrupted sleep patterns. Most people can drink 3–4 cups (710–950 ml) of tea daily without adverse effects, but some may experience side effects at lower doses.
Soda obviously has zero redeeming qualities when it comes to nutritional benefits. Tea, on the other hand, has been shown to have potential benefits to multiple systems of the body, including cardiovascular and brain health, which is likely due to the antioxidant content.
The Harvard School of Public Health lists tea as one of the best sources of hydration, second only to water. Opting for unsweetened iced tea means you'll increase your intake of essential nutrients and compounds. This benefits your health as you avoid the nutritional disadvantages associated with sweetened iced tea.
No matter what kind of teas you enjoy drinking, all tea made from the camellia sinensis plant can have a positive effect on your mental health, helping to curb stress and anxiety and promote relaxation and wellbeing.
In fact, stress-related hormones like cortisol can be counteracted with tea. These benefits come from antioxidants and amino acids like l-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Research is still ongoing, but there are some studies supporting tea's ability to reduce the risk of developing depression or dementia.
Research says yes. One study showed that tea drinkers are highly determined, more than coffee drinkers, and less pessimistic and more persistent than Cola drinkers. [1] Conclusion? Tea drinkers tend to be more mature and adaptive.
Tea Drinkers Live Longer Thanks To Flavonoids – The Super Antioxidant. A flavonoid is really just a beast antioxidant.
Word of the day: THEIST - someone who is addicted to drinking tea.
Drinking iced tea increases your sugar intake, which elevates your triglyceride level. When done in excess, this can put you at a higher risk for stroke. One 8 fl oz cup of iced tea can contain around 47 milligrams of caffeine. When overconsumed, it can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system.
Tea is a large part of modern Australian culture due to its British origins. Australians drink tea and have afternoon tea and morning tea much the way the British do. Additionally, due to Australia's climate, tea is able to be grown and produced in northern Australia.
Seen as a novelty at first, during the 1870s it became quite widespread. Recipes appeared in print, iced tea was offered on hotel menus, and it was on sale at railroad stations. Its popularity rapidly increased after Richard Blechynden introduced it at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.
A 2013 animal study suggested that green tea consumption increases dopamine and serotonin, which have been linked to reducing symptoms of depression.
“Tea has caffeine and L-theanine that increases alertness and focus of the brain. According to the study, it helps reduce cognitive decline and prevent conditions such as Alzheimer's disease,” says Sheryl Salis, nutritionist and wellness coach.
Teas for anxiety include mint teas, chamomile teas, lavender teas, rose teas, and matcha.
Tea catechins — antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — account for up to 42% of the dry weight of brewed green tea, and the amino acid l-theanine makes up around 3%. EGCG is thought to make people feel calmer and improve memory and attention when consumed on its own.
While caffeine does have a slight diuretic effect, the relatively low levels in tea won't have much of an impact on hydration levels. In fact, decaffeinated tea can be counted cup for cup toward your hydration goal because it is considered just as hydrating as plain water.
Flavonoids help prevent cell damage. Team leader, Dr Carrie Ruxton, a Public Health Nutritionist, said tea is better for you than water because all water does is rehydrate you. Tea rehydrates you and provides antioxidants.
The colder something is, the harder it is for taste buds to pick up on the subtleties of the flavor. Conversely, if something is warmer – but not too hot – then the flavor is at its peak. So, when it comes to flavors and aromas, science backs up that hot tea is going to be superior.