Tea is the most loved beverage not only by the Indians but people worldwide. It won’t be shocking to note that tea is the most preferred thing in the morning, even before we open our curtains. The wake-up tea is more than just a caffeine boost in the morning; it is a moment of peace before the hectic day starts. The fundamental question is whether a cup of tea provides tangible health advantages.
The Steady Energy Release of Morning Tea
According to Oxford Academic, the stimulating effect of morning tea comes from its combination of caffeine and the unique amino acid, L-theanine. This pair works together to deliver a form of alertness that is distinct from the rapid jolt often associated with coffee. L-theanine, which is found almost exclusively in the tea plant, crosses the blood-brain barrier and modulates neurotransmitter activity, promoting a state of calm focus.
Do you drink tea in the morning?
If not, you should.
Tea beats any alternative morning drink. Whether you start your morning with coffee or orange juice, tea is better than both.
True, it doesn’t have the vitamin C of orange juice, but it has a lot of other health benefits and far more of them.
Benefits Of Drinking Tea In The Morning
The fact that drinking tea is good for you isn’t exactly a secret, but most people aren’t aware that drinking it first thing in the morning comes with its own special benefits.
Tea should be your go-to hot or iced beverage and should be consumed more often than just when you’re coming down with a cold.
The right morning beverage can do wonders in terms of rehydrating you after sleeping for several hours, and it can also get the brain going, helping to set the tone for a productive day.
Boosts metabolism and supports weight loss
Green tea contains catechins and caffeine that can increase metabolism by helping your body break down fats more quickly and burn more calories. Studies show that the EGCG in green tea may help reduce markers associated with obesity, including total body weight and body fat percentage. Moreover, some research suggests that tea catechins, especially EGCG, could aid fat oxidation by boosting the effects of fat-burning hormones.
Reduces stress and cortisol levels
Six weeks of black tea consumption leads to lower post-stress cortisol levels and greater subjective relaxation during recovery periods. In one study, black tea drinkers showed cortisol levels dropping by 47% following a stressful task, compared to only 27% in the placebo group.
Acts as a natural anti-inflammatory
Both green and black tea possess marked anti-inflammatory effects against protein denaturation. Green tea was found to be more active than black tea, likely due to its higher flavonoid content.
Helps protect memory and cognitive health
A study in the National Institute of Health, showed that frequent tea drinkers had a 50% lower risk of dementia. Importantly, this protection extended to people carrying the APOE4 gene variant, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
Types of Tea and Their Unique Morning Benefits
Green tea: metabolism and antioxidants
Green tea stands out for its impressive metabolic benefits every morning. Its high concentration of catechins, particularly EGCG, helps protect cells from damage and reduces inflammation.
Black tea: gut health and energy
Black tea undergoes full oxidation, developing rich theaflavins and thearubigins that lower cholesterol and reduce oxidative stress. A 2023 study revealed that drinking three cups daily increased healthy gut bacteria, including types crucial for immunity.
Herbal teas: calming and digestive support
Though not true teas (as they don’t contain Camellia sinensis leaves), herbal teas excel at morning digestive support.
Matcha: high antioxidant content
Matcha contains exceptional levels of antioxidants.
Also Read| Debunking 5 Common Skincare Myth That is Secretly Ruining Your Skin Barrier
