{"id":18828,"date":"2024-10-07T14:49:15","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T19:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=18828"},"modified":"2025-07-21T11:43:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T16:43:20","slug":"spill-it-is-drinking-tea-healthy-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/spill-it-is-drinking-tea-healthy-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Spill it: Is drinking tea healthy for you?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s served piping hot or iced and comes in a variety of flavors \u2013 but is tea really healthy for you?<\/p>\n

The short answer is, yes.<\/p>\n

All teas, whether caffeinated or herbal, contain polyphenols, a type of antioxidant with loads of potential, like decreased inflammation and reduced risk of chronic disease<\/a>. Different teas have different benefits, so let\u2019s dive right into the healthiest teas to drink.<\/p>\n

\n

Ready to make some changes?<\/p>\n

Talk to your PCP about diet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Types of tea with caffeine<\/h2>\n

Despite what the labels on the grocery store shelves will tell you, only tea made from the Camellia sinensis<\/em>\u00a0plant is considered true tea. Although it is made from the same leaves, the difference is in how it is processed.<\/p>\n

Green tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Long hailed as the healthiest of the healthy teas to drink, drinking green tea is a smart choice for a reason.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreen tea wins as the most healthy tea,\u201d says Ashley Simper, the manager of dietetic services with OSF HealthCare \u201cDrinking green tea, at least three or more cups\u00a0a day, leads to health benefits when it comes to cardiovascular disease, cancer<\/a>\u00a0and the overall risk of mortality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Black tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The leaves in black tea are left to ferment longer than in green tea, giving it a darker color.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlack tea has been shown to lower the risk of developing diabetes<\/a>,\u00a0as well as a lower risk of overall mortality when consuming at least two cups a day,\u201d says Ashley.<\/p>\n

Oolong tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Oolong tea is more traditionally a Chinese tea that oxidizes longer than green tea, but not as long as black tea.<\/p>\n

\u201cOolong contains l-theanine, an amino acid that helps reduce anxiety, improve sleep<\/a>\u00a0and boost mental clarity,\u201d says Ashley.<\/p>\n

White tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

White tea is the least processed tea variety. White tea contains a powerful combination of fluoride, catechins and tannins, which can help protect your teeth from bacteria.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimilar to green tea, white tea also has a high level of antioxidants, which help fight various forms of cancer,\u201d says Ashley.<\/p>\n

How much caffeine is in tea?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many people may turn down a steaming cup of coffee<\/a>\u00a0in favor of its less-caffeinated cousin, but tea does still contain caffeine.<\/p>\n

Black tea:<\/strong> Of all the caffeinated teas, black tea contains the highest amount of caffeine, clocking in at 47 milligrams per 8-ounce cup, still about half the amount of a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

Green tea<\/strong>: An 8-ounce cup contains about 33 milligrams of caffeine, compared to an 8-ounce cup of coffee which contains 80-200 milligrams.<\/p>\n

Oolong tea:<\/strong> The caffeine in oolong tea is comparable to green tea.<\/p>\n

White tea:<\/strong> Typically, white tea contains the lowest amount of caffeine.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou would have to drink eight or more cups of tea a day to get to the upper limit we would recommend for caffeine. So, it\u2019s not that much of a risk for people,\u201d Simper points out. \u201cHowever, if you\u2019re going to start drinking three to five cups of tea a day, and you\u2019re not normally a caffeine consumer, you might notice the effects of the caffeine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Types of herbal tea<\/h2>\n

Despite the name, herbal teas are not truly tea, as they are not made from tea leaves, but rather from flowers, leaves and roots. If caffeine isn\u2019t your cup of tea, herbal teas are a good option, as they typically don\u2019t contain any.<\/p>\n

Chamomile tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve ever been told to go relax and have a cup of tea, you probably need to reach for some chamomile. Research suggests that chamomile might help manage anxiety<\/a>\u00a0and help you relax.<\/p>\n

Spearmint tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rosmarinic acid is an antioxidant found in spearmint tea which helps with joint pain and stiffness.<\/p>\n

Ginger tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

People who experience nausea and upset stomach may find comfort in sipping on some ginger tea. Research shows that ginger reduces nausea<\/a>\u00a0through a direct effect on the stomach, increasing movement of the gastrointestinal system.<\/p>\n

Nettle tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While more research is needed on the benefits of this unique tea, it has been used to treat urinary conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Research suggests nettle may help flush harmful bacteria from the urinary tract.<\/p>\n

Hibiscus tea<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This tea, made from the brightly colored flowers of the hibiscus plant, is chock full of antioxidants. Some of the potential benefits include lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.<\/p>\n

Dandelion tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While you might be used to them in your garden, dandelions can also be found in tea form.<\/p>\n

\u201cDandelions contain polysaccharides, which are known to have a protective effect on the liver,\u201d says Ashley. \u201cThey can also be a good source of Vitamin C, which helps your immune system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Plan to steer clear though if you are allergic to any plant in the daisy family.<\/p>\n

Rooibos tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rooibos tea is another antioxidant powerhouse, with a naturally sweet taste that can help curb sugar cravings. It also contains zinc and copper which can help with hair growth, and it may even improve your allergies.<\/p>\n

Raspberry leaf tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sometimes referred to as the \u201cpregnancy tea,\u201d raspberry leaf has long been touted as an effective method to make labor shorter and easier for pregnant women. But more research is needed.<\/p>\n

Fennel tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fennel tea is made from the seeds of the fennel plant and contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n

\u201cFennel has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that could be helpful in improving digestive disorders that cause gas and bloating, like irritable bowel syndrome,\u201d says Ashley.<\/p>\n

Ready to make some changes?<\/h2>\n

Before you head to the tea aisle at the grocery store, you should consult with your primary care physician. Some herbs in tea may interact with certain medications or cause unwanted side effects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’s served piping hot or iced and comes in a variety of flavors \u2013 but is tea really healthy for you? The short answer is, yes. All teas, whether caffeinated or herbal, contain polyphenols, a type of antioxidant with loads of potential, like decreased inflammation and reduced risk of chronic disease. Different teas have different […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":18833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[26,47],"coauthors":[1173],"class_list":["post-18828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diet-exercise","tag-diet","tag-healthy-eating"],"yoast_head":"\nSpill it: Is drinking tea healthy for you?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get the tea on the specific benefits of each type of tea and why drinking it is healthy for you.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/spill-it-is-drinking-tea-healthy-for-you\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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