We’ve shared how the health benefits of tea can be achieved through our offerings of Hanna’s special blends but understand that some of you may be unable to access these teas. The good news is that there are a variety of teas available at your local grocery or health food store that can provide health benefits, hydration, aromatherapy, and healing. Take a look at these 6 basic teas and the benefits of each one.

Health Benefits of Tea: Black

This tea accounts for about 75% of global tea consumption because it is the most commonly available variety. Black tea leaves are rolled, fermented, dried, then crushed before making it into tea bags for enjoyment. This type of tea contains the most caffeine (about 40 milligrams per cup) and makes a great substitution of coffee if you’re looking to make the switch. Health benefits of black tea include the ability to lower cholesterol levels and cut the risk of stroke with its powerful antioxidant content, as well as Hanna’s home remedy to use it get rid of a headache.

Heath Benefits of Tea: Green

The leaves of this tea are dried and heat-treated soon after they are picked to stop the fermentation process, yielding a more delicate flavor than black tea. Green tea contains about 25 milligrams of caffeine per cup and is also rich in antioxidants. Health benefits range from cancer prevention to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Health Benefits of Tea: Oolong

Funny name, seriously beneficial tea! Oolong is similar to black tea in that it is fermented but the process is much shorter, giving it a richer taste. This tea contains about 30 milligrams of caffeine and has been beneficial for weight loss by activating specific enzymes in the body that dissolve fats. One study revealed that women who drank one cup of oolong tea burned more calories over a two hour period than those who only drank water. If you’re looking for a healthy alternative during weight loss, oolong is a great choice.

Health Benefits of Tea: White

The leaves used for white tea are very young so the flavor is milder than any other variety; caffeine is also lower at about 15 milligrams per cup. Health benefits of white tea include support for the cardiovascular system, cancer prevention, support for diabetics by improving glucose tolerance, and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Health Benefits of Tea: Flavored

When walking down the tea aisle at your market you’re bound to notice that variety of flavored teas available to you ranging from orange or cinnamon to mint and lavender. Flavored teas contain aromatic extracts that are blended with black, green, or white tea leaves. Health benefits include those listed above for each specific type of tea but also, depending on which fruit or herbal extract used, offer a variety of other benefits. Blueberry extracts, for example, will provide an even greater boost of antioxidants in a cup so if you’re aiming to increase your antioxidants, look for flavors associated with superfruits. Try to skip the premade sugary stuff though-these drinks are often watered down so you would have to drink up to 20 bottles to get the health benefits from one cup you prepare on your own and that’s too much sugar!

Health Benefits of Tea: Herbal

This category of tea isn’t really a tea at all but is rather a blend of herbs, flowers, roots, or dried fruits blended to provide a caffeine-free beverage with numerous health benefits. While there is less research on herbal blends than traditional teas, studies have noted the incredible impact that a cup of peppermint tea provides to an upset stomach or a cup of chamomile to help you get to sleep. Hanna created a selection of specialty teas that address conditions from nervousness to heart support. Learn more about them in this recent blog post.

Teas are a wonderful way to keep your body hydrated while gaining the benefits the leaves or extracts provide. Follow the directions for steeping or brewing your tea to be sure you are achieving the maximum benefits from each cup; each type has a specific method. If your local market or health food store doesn’t carry a good selection of teas, make a request and if all else fails, we’ve got a fantastic variety of teas and tea accessories that we can ship right to your door!