January 02, 2013
Ask the RD: Health Benefits of Decaffeinated Tea
Tea is the most popular drink in the world and provide several health benefits. The benefits of tea vary based on the amount of polyphenols it contains. During the process of decaffeinating the tea, most of the polyphenols remain intact, giving decaffeinated tea most of the benefits that caffeinated tea has.
Green and black teas contain the most benefits and 2 to 3 cups of tea are recommended per day for adults. Drinking decaffeinated tea is a smart choice for those who need to avoid or limit caffeine.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are plant compounds with antioxidant properties thought to be more effective than vitamin C. The polyphenols in tea are known as catechins. There are two processes used to decaffeinate tea. One that uses ethyl acetate only retains 30 percent of the polyphenols. The other, more natural way uses only water and carbon dioxide and retains 95 perfect of the polyphenols. Decaf tea is a smart alternative to caffeinated tea.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants fight free radicals that can change cells, damage DNA and cause cell death. Free radicals can lead to cancer and heart disease and speed the aging process. Antioxidants in decaffeinated tea, especially green tea, can help neutralize free radicals and may reduce or prevent the damage they cause. Green and black teas provide the most antioxidants.
Reduced Cancer Risk
Clinical studies have shown that both black and green tea protect against cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Polyphenols in tea may kill cancerous cells and prevent them from growing. Tea helps to prevent against certain cancers such as bladder, gastric, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, according to the Mayo Clinic. Researchers found that women under the age of 50 who drank 3 or more cups of tea per day were 37 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not consume tea.
Lowers Cholesterol
Tea can lower total cholesterol and raise HDL, the good cholesterol. Polyphenols may block cholesterol from being absorbed in the intestine and help rid the body of it. In a study of male smokers, drinking green tea reduced blood levels of the harmful kind of cholesterol, LDL. Drinking tea can also assist in preventing atherosclerosis, a condition in which the artery walls thicken due to accumulation of fatty materials, through reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the rate of heart attack decreases 11 percent by drinking 3 cups of tea per day. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not allow tea makers to claim that tea reduces these risks.
Resources
University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
Mayo Clinic: Tea: Enjoy a Cup for Health and Pleasure
Dr. Weil: Is Decaf Tea Less Protective?
Green and black teas contain the most benefits and 2 to 3 cups of tea are recommended per day for adults. Drinking decaffeinated tea is a smart choice for those who need to avoid or limit caffeine.
Polyphenols are plant compounds with antioxidant properties thought to be more effective than vitamin C. The polyphenols in tea are known as catechins. There are two processes used to decaffeinate tea. One that uses ethyl acetate only retains 30 percent of the polyphenols. The other, more natural way uses only water and carbon dioxide and retains 95 perfect of the polyphenols. Decaf tea is a smart alternative to caffeinated tea.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants fight free radicals that can change cells, damage DNA and cause cell death. Free radicals can lead to cancer and heart disease and speed the aging process. Antioxidants in decaffeinated tea, especially green tea, can help neutralize free radicals and may reduce or prevent the damage they cause. Green and black teas provide the most antioxidants.
Clinical studies have shown that both black and green tea protect against cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Polyphenols in tea may kill cancerous cells and prevent them from growing. Tea helps to prevent against certain cancers such as bladder, gastric, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, according to the Mayo Clinic. Researchers found that women under the age of 50 who drank 3 or more cups of tea per day were 37 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not consume tea.
Lowers Cholesterol
Tea can lower total cholesterol and raise HDL, the good cholesterol. Polyphenols may block cholesterol from being absorbed in the intestine and help rid the body of it. In a study of male smokers, drinking green tea reduced blood levels of the harmful kind of cholesterol, LDL. Drinking tea can also assist in preventing atherosclerosis, a condition in which the artery walls thicken due to accumulation of fatty materials, through reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the rate of heart attack decreases 11 percent by drinking 3 cups of tea per day. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not allow tea makers to claim that tea reduces these risks.
Resources
University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
Mayo Clinic: Tea: Enjoy a Cup for Health and Pleasure
Dr. Weil: Is Decaf Tea Less Protective?
What is your favorite kind of tea?
My favorites are Yogi green tea kombucha, any jasmine tea, Bigelow eggnogg'n, Tazo Refresh and many more.
Share this post:
Tags:
ask the RD
I was never really a tea drinker only because I always forgot it was an option! Lol I was lucky enough to receive a Libre tea glass to do a review awhile ago and since then, tea has been my best friend ^.^
ReplyDeleteIt’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat type of tea have the lowest level of caffeine? I have the problems with heart and i am drinking only white teas, such as yin zhen. Maybe you can recommend something ?
ReplyDeleteLime juice, tangy mango drink and litchi punch are some of the drinks that can easily be enjoyed at home read more here
ReplyDelete