We drink around 165 million cups of the brown stuff every day. In fact, you've probably got a cuppa in your hand right now! And it's no surprise when you understand what drinking tea can do for you and your body. Posh is rumoured to have been drinking Pu-Erh to regain her pre-birth figure and it's not just that type of tea that can work wonders. Here are some of the facts about the different types of tea and the health benefits they offer.
Pu-Erh tea (a black tea)
What's been said about it?
It's rumoured to melt fat by increasing your metabolism, reduce cholesterol and have medicinal properties, which is why Posh is reported to have been knocking back the ancient Chinese brew. Research from the University of Georgia showed drinking black tea helped detox the body and boost metabolism, so the pounds come off faster. Sipping weak black tea 10-15 minutes before meals can also take the edge off your appetite. Jerry Hall and Joss Stone are said to be big fans.
Who's it good for?
People who want to lose weight and those with high cholesterol.
How much should I drink?
Three times a day with meals to lose weight.
Where can I buy it?
Whittard
How much is it?
£4 for 20 large leaf teabags
Raspberry leaf tea
What's been said about it?
It prepares the womb for childbirth. Women who drink it are said to have a shorter labour and need less pain relief.
Who's it good for?
Pregnant women.
How much should I drink?
Up to three cups a day in the last month of pregnancy.
Where can I buy it?
www.healthstore.uk.com
How much is it?
£1.19 for 20 bags
Green tea
What's been said about it?
When it's drunk with no milk it contains no calories or fat. It's rich in antioxidants that could help prevent a number of health conditions such as heart disease, gastritis, headaches, depression and some cancers, including lung, ovarian, breast, prostate and stomach. It also boosts the immune system and is reported to have anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, cholesterol-lowering, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Green tea also helps burn fat. Five cups a day could mean you'll be half a stone lighter in about 10 months.
Who's it good for?
Everyone, but particularly those with a high risk of the health conditions mentioned above, and those wanting to lose weight.
How much should I drink?
Up to four cups a day.
Where can I buy it?
Your local supermarket
How much is it?
Sainsbury's China Tea teabags, £0.95 for 20.
Asda 20 Green Tea Bags, £0.59 for 20.
Tesco Finest Green Tea Bags, £1.25 for 50.
Standard tea (Tetley, PG Tips etc)
What's been said about it?
When drunk with milk, which 98% of the population do, four cups of tea can provide you with lots of your recommended daily nutrients - approximately 17% of the recommended amount of calcium, 5% for zinc, 22% for Vitamin B2, 5% for folic acid, and Vitamins B1 and B6. A cup of tea also contains manganese, which is essential for general physical development, and potassium which helps to maintain your body's fluid balance. Tea is great for hydrating the body. In fact, 40% of the nation's fluid intake today will be from drinking tea. Tea is also good for your teeth as it contains fluoride and has been shown to help prevent Alzheimer's because it stops the chemicals which destroy part of the brain causing the disease.
How much should I drink?
Up to four cups a day.
Where can I buy it?
Your local supermarket
How much is it?
Sainsbury's Red Label Tea Bags, £1.15 for 80
Asda Tea Bags, £0.87 for 80.
Tesco Finest Tea Bags, £1.38 for 80.
Herbal teas
What's been said about them?
They're great for boosting your fluid intake and each herb has a different ability - for example, chamomile is good for tension and peppermint is good for the digestive system, colds, catarrh and Headaches. The different varieties mean they appeal to lots of different tastes and the caffeine-free types are better for you than normal tea.
Who are they good for?
People who don't want to have too much caffeine, pregnant women, for example. Those who like different flavours, or have a specific medical complaint that can be eased by a particular herb. Here are the most popular varieties and what they can be helpful for:
Chamomile: Digestion, relaxing, soothing, good for anxiety, relieves cold and flu symptoms.
Dandelion: Stimulates the body to eliminate waste and toxins.
Echinacea: Helps boost the immune system.
Fennel: Cleanses and calms the digestive system. Helps suppress appetite.
Ginseng: Revitalising, pick-me-up, good for when you've been overdoing it and helps boost the immune system.
Nettle: Good for cleansing circulation.
Peppermint: Calms and soothes the digestive system.
Where can I buy them?
Your local supermarket
How much are they?
Sainsbury's: Twinings Camomile and Spearmint Herbal Tea, £0.92 for 20.
Asda: Fairtrade Organic Peppermint Tea, £0.62 for 20.
Tesco: Birt & Tang Detox Herbal Teabags, £1.99 for 20.
Rooibos (Redbush) tea
What's been said about it?
It's naturally caffeine-free, so it's said to be good for people with stomach ulcers, as caffeine can aggravate them. It's rich in anti-oxidants and low in harmful tannin which can prevent iron, essential for transport of oxygen in the blood, from being absorbed into the body. It's also reported to have a soothing effect on the nervous system, has anti-spasmodic properties, so relieves stomach cramps, and contains natural calorie-free sweeteners, perfect if you're on a diet.
Who's it good for?
It's recommended for people suffering from irritability, headaches, disturbed sleeping, insomnia, nervous tension, mild depression or hypertension. It's also great if you want to lose weight.
Where can I get it from?
Your local supermarket
How much does it cost?
Sainsbury's: Redbush tea, £1.79 for 40.
Asda: Clipper Organic Rooibos, £2.99 for 80.
Tesco: Twinings Rooibos Teabags, £0.92 for 20.
Statistics and facts from www.tea.co.uk, www.dilmahtea.com, www.rooibosltd.ca
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Try our:
Tea recipes
Fat-free fruit tea loaf
Fruited teabread
Moira Young's tea loaf cake
Cucumber & mango salad
Chickpea & coriander salad
Roast orange tea chicken
Beef fillet in black tea sauce
Vanilla tea custard
Read more about tea:
Alex Probyn, Tea Expert, on heart disease
Diet expert Abby Knight on how tea can help you slim
Drink tea to burn fat