He tea It is one of the oldest drinks and has been with humanity for a long time. Originally from the northeast of the Indiathe north of Myanmar and the southwest of Chinatea plays a crucial role in the culture of many societies and in the global economy.
This Tuesday, May 21, is the International Tea Day, a day established in 2019 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO, for its acronym in English). According to what is established by this institution, the objective is to “celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance” of this drink, the second most consumed in the world after water and with a long history of more than 5,000. years.
This year, International Tea Day highlights the fundamental role of women in the tea industrywith a clear focus: promoting a sustainable productionto ensure that this beverage continues to benefit people, cultures and the environment “from field to cup” for generations.
The infusion, coming from the Camellia sinensis plant, It is both a pleasurable and culturally significant drink, as well as a source of health benefits. And it’s worth celebrating.
Drinking tea, a drink that has been part of various cultures for millennia, offers multiple health benefits. Its numerous attributes make this drink a healthy and popular option throughout the world. Here, the advantages:
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease: the tea contains antioxidants such as polyphenols and catechins, which help combat oxidative damage in cells, reducing inflammation and the risk of heart disease. Researchers of the University of Southampton conducted an extensive study on the consumption of coffee and tea, and concluded that both drinks promote heart health. In turn, experts pointed out that regular consumption of these infusions can reduce the risk of suffering from strokes and heart diseases.
- Improved brain function: tea is rich in caffeine and L-theaninewhose combination of compounds improves the cognitive performance and the concentration, which promotes more efficient brain functioning. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase alertness, improve focus, and reduce feelings of fatigue. On the other hand, L-theanine is an amino acid that promotes relaxation without causing drowsiness, facilitating a relaxed state of alertness. Research carried out by scientists from the United States and Canada showed that caffeine helps improve attention and to maintain a state of wakefulness, in addition to speeding up reaction time. However, it is important to consider that consuming large amounts of caffeine can cause nervousness and excitement, which could negatively affect performance.
- Reduces the risk of diabetes. The tea contains polyphenols and catechins, antioxidant compounds that help improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood glucose levels. These antioxidants also fight oxidative stress, which can damage cells and contribute to the development of diabetes. Additionally, some tea varieties, such as green tea and black tea, have anti-inflammatory effects that can protect the pancreas, the organ responsible for insulin production. A study presented by Chinese scientists at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes found that people who consumed at least four cups a day had a 17% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Promotes weight loss. Catechins, a compound present in tea, can increase the metabolism and promote fat burning. Some studies indicate that the combination of caffeine and catechins in tea could help burn more calories and fat. However, it is not yet clearly established whether this has a significant effect on weight loss. According to nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, an expert in The Mayo Clinictea is a popular choice for those looking to avoid weight gain, as it is naturally calorie-free, as long as no milk or sugar is added.
- Improves digestion and intestinal health. This drink has polyphenols and tannins, which have anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. These compounds can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, facilitating more comfortable and efficient digestion. Additionally, certain types of tea, such as mint, ginger, or green tea, have carminative properties that help relieve stomach upset, bloating, and gas.
- It reduces stress. Many varieties of tea contain L-theanine, a amino acid which has relaxing effects and can promote a state of calm without inducing drowsiness. L-theanine increases the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with feelings of well-being. Additionally, the act of making and drinking tea can be a calming ritual in itself. “Taking a few extra minutes to simply sit with a hot drink is also relaxing,” says the health expert. The Mayo Clinic.
- Promotes longevity. A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that people in the United Kingdom who consumed two or more cups of tea a day had a lower risk of death during a follow-up of more than a decade. The research, carried out by researchers from the National Cancer Institutecovered half a million participants, who consumed black tea. Previously, studies showing a greater longevity among tea drinkers had primarily focused on green tea consumption in Asia.
Tea production faces numerous challenges in the face of climate change, since it is extremely sensitive to changes in growing conditions, and is viable only in certain specific agroecological regions. For this reason, its cultivation is limited to a small number of countries, many of which are experiencing the severe impacts of climate change.
According to information from the FAO, Alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns—including increases in floods and droughts— are already negatively affecting tea yields, quality and prices, which in turn reduces incomes and threatens rural livelihoods.
These effects of climate change are likely to intensify, United Nations experts say, underscoring the need to implement adaptation measures urgently. At the same time, there is a growing consensus on the importance of reducing carbon emissions in tea production and brewing as part of efforts to mitigate climate change.
In this sense, the institutions urge tea-producing countries to incorporate the challenges presented by climate change into their national development strategies, focusing both on adaptation to its effects and on reducing its consequences.
Tea has transcended its traditional role in the cultural ritual of “five o’clock tea” (that which is drunk in the afternoon) to become a versatile drink, suitable to be enjoyed at any time and place.
In that tone, in an innovative turn, there are bartenders and mixologists who are exploring new trends by incorporating various varieties of tea in their non-alcoholic drink creations, giving rise to a distinctive dynamic. An example? Cachamai O’clock blends, which add aromas and flavors through combinations that include notes of chocolate, cinnamon, hibiscus and bergamot. The objective, in any case, is to enrich the sensory profile and achieve a sophisticated and surprising experience taking advantage of the benefits of tea.