Healthy Drinks: Tea Time, All The Time
Everyone knows drinking green tea is good for you, but check out more of these leafy options for powerful health benefits
Credit the Brits for penicillin, William Shakespeare, and Clive Owen. But their signature contribution to society will always be teatime, especially as more and more research indicates that the power of tea goes beyond warming you up on a chilly day — though a cold cup is proven to have just as many benefits. What, exactly, those benefits are depends on the color of your bag. Read below to find out more about the best tea options for your health.
White
What It Is
Leaves from the bud of the tea plant are flash-steamed and dried, so it's the least processed form with the most antioxidants and the least caffeine. A light, delicate flavor.
What It Does
White tea is kryptonite for viruses and bacteria, says Milton Schiffenbauer, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology at Pace University. In his studies, "tea destroys over 80 percent of viruses within 10 minutes," he says. Due to the higher levels of antioxidants, white tea may be the most powerful when it comes to cancer prevention. Researchers at the University of Oregon found that it was the best tea for inhibiting cell mutations — often the early stages of cancer.
Try
The Republic of Tea's Honeydew White ($14 for 50 bags). That doesn't seem like a bargain compared with the multipacks of Tetley black you can get at the grocery store, but for a premium line of premium tea, it's a great deal.