Chances are, if you’re reading this post at breakfast, or just getting to your emails in the mid-late afternoon, you may have a cup of tea with you. Teas of all kinds can be found in 80% of all US households, and as we’ve previously said, other than water, tea is the most commonly consumed beverage around the world. January is National Hot Tea Month so it’s a good time to take stock of tea drinking and the health benefits of consuming this popular beverage. In recent months, more and more evidence has surfaced that the compounds and nutrients in various types of teas have a positive impact on many aspects of health and well-being.

The majority of tea drinkers in the US consume black tea (Earl Gray, English breakfast, etc). In fact, it’s been estimated that almost 85% of all tea served in the US is black tea. So what health benefits are derived from this beverage? Research has shown that black teas are rich in flavonoids (which are also present in berries) which has led to the advice that a daily cup of black tea could help you sustain your cardiovascular health into your later years. Research out of Australia involving over 800 older females (median age of 80) showed that those who drank 2-6 cups of black tea a day (though there are other good sources of flavonols) were at much lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who did not consume the tea. You can read more about this study here. Another recent study published in Neurology found that higher dietary intake of flavonols such as those found in tea is associated with a slower rate of age-related cognitive decline. Find out more about this study here. 

Not to be outdone, there is also evidence of the health benefits of green tea, another popular choice. For example, among residents of the Blue Zones region of Okinawa Japan, consumption of green tea (which also contains flavonols) is shown to be associated with lower rates of heart disease and several types of cancers. And experts suggest that if you’re looking for health benefits, green tea gives you “the most bang for the buck” because of its rich makeup of polyphenols (more than in black tea) and catechins, which have been linked with the prevention of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s. You can read more about this research here. For a full and robust description of all of the many health benefits of green tea, turn on the tea kettle and read more here. And click here if you are searching for the best blends of green teas according to experts.

In the battle between black and green teas, there really are no losers- it’s just a matter of taste, preference, and what you’re looking for when consuming tea. One detail to note, however, there really is a correct method to ensuring a “perfect” cup of tea, including the water you use (tea is 99% water), the cup into which you pour, whether you use bagged or loose tea, how long you brew the tea and even the temperature at which you drink it (not to mention the quality of the tea you consume). To learn more about the “art” (and science) of making the best tea you can, take out your spoon, put up your pinky, and read here.