We all love to start our day with a cup of freshly brewed tea to satiate our senses and bring us out from our midnight stupor. While, a morning cup of tea is indeed refreshing, chugging tea has a lot of health benefits as well! A catalyst in helping cure cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, tea also encourages weight loss; lowers cholesterol; and is sometimes considered to be a boon in bringing about mental alertness.

While the term tea can be used for a lot of infusions, but connoisseurs and purists will tell you that only the green, black, white and oolong are the pure varieties. All derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant, they contain unique antioxidants called flavonoids. Tea's antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution.

Studies also suggest that tea may reduce a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke. Drinking tea helps in keeping the arteries smooth and clog-free which might otherwise lead to clots. In fact, studies have also gone on to elaborate upon the fact that people who drank at least two to three cups of black tea daily showed a drastic fall in chances of having a heart attack when compared to non tea drinkers. Research has also showed that long time tea drinkers have stronger bones even after adjusting for age, bodyweight etc.

Of the four major varieties of tea available, studies show that green tea, which is made from steamed tea leaves, has a high concentration of EGCG that contains the highest amount of antioxidants. Green tea also helps in reducing the risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.

Made from fermented tea leaves the black variety has the highest caffeine content and is the basis of most flavoured teas along with the Indian chai. Black tea protects lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It may also reduce the risk of stroke. On the other hand, uncured and unfermented white tea has the most effective anticancer properties compared to more processed teas. The Oolong Tea has been found to lower bad cholesterol levels. Oolong is also marketed as a weight loss supplement.

In fact even green tea has been shown to increase metabolic rate so that one can burn almost 80 calories by just drinking five cups daily. That equals to a fifteen minute walk per day. Leaving everything aside, tea not only hydrates the body, but also gives you one of the best smiles! The coveted amber liquid contains fluoride and tannins that help keep plaque at bay. Unsweetened tea rituals each day actually adds to your daily dental routines of keeping your teeth and gum healthy.