Nutritious Nibbles

An ancient Chinese proverb waxed, “Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one.” And there may be more behind that than mere taste. A 2006 BBC News report declared that tea was healthier to consume than water – rehydrating the body the same, while also providing a bounty of health benefits:

– Research suggests that older women who are tea drinkers are 60 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who do not drink tea.

– Antioxidants in tea may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and support cardiovascular health.

– Tea contains fluoride for strong teeth and may decrease incidence of halitosis (bad breath).

– Swedish researchers found drinking at least two cups a day could cut the risk of ovarian cancer by nearly 50 percent.

– Tea consumption is associated with an increased rate of survival following a heart attack, according to this study.

So I’m not asking you to give up that morning cup of coffee. But instead of an afternoon caffeine fix of coffee, why not substitute it for a cup of tea?

There are numerous teas from scented flavored teas like jasmine and Earl Gray to teas combined with herbs like mint to flavored teas like chai, which has added spices like ginger and cardamom. The best teas are those brewed from loose leaves, as they have the most antioxidant power. Also, allow the tea to steep for three to five minutes to allow the maximum amount of antioxidants to be released.

Let the tea sampling begin!

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