Tea: Facts Versus Fiction (Part 2)

Continuation: (Read the first part of this article, Tea: Facts Versus Fiction (Part 1))

6: Tea contains caffeine. Therefore it makes falling asleep harder.

Answer: FICTION.

Many people tend to get discouraged for drinking tea during nights because they are concerned that drinking such caffeine-containing drink will somehow affect their sleep. But research has found out that not only do teas contain caffeine but they also contain L-theanine. Since this substance is found in teas as well, all those concerns about affecting sleep may be unwarranted. Instead of the negative, L-theanine may have positive effects on the sleep quality.

7: Teas are known diuretics. If drank, it dehydrates you.

Answer: FICTION.

Contrary to popular belief, that tea acts as a diuretic due to its caffeine content and may somehow be the cause of dehydration is not true. Experts believe that for people who make drinking tea a habit, a certain tolerance to caffeine develops so any initial diuretic effect it has in the past has been decreased.

The recommended fluid intake for adults is two liters of fluids daily. And next to water, tea can also provide the additional source of fluids that will not only keep the body well hydrated but also very beneficial to one's health too.

8: Drinking tea will help you be slimmer and lose weight fast.

Answer: FACT AND FICTION.

This statement is very misleading. For it contains both a fact and a little exaggeration as well. Yes it is true that teas, like green teas, can boost the body's metabolism by as much as 4 percent. But this alone will not be enough for an average person to lose weight fast. It is not a magical potion that when ingested, will instantly turn you to fat to slim. In order to achieve the full effect of weight loss, it should be complemented with other measures. Like proper diet, a balanced meal and regular exercise. For with these measures, along with drinking teas, will increase the likelihood that weight loss will be achieved. The bottom line, a healthy lifestyle plus drinking tea can indeed make you lose weight.

9: The more you drink tea, the faster you will lose weight.

Answer: FICTION.

Just like anything in this world, everything should be in moderation. If you take anything in excess such as food, you had made yourself an instant poison.

Even if it known to be healthful or good for you, take it larger in amounts than normal, it will cause negative instead of positive effects on the body. This is the same as for teas. An average of 3 to 6 cups a day should suffice. Others also say that if already used to tea intake, an average of 10 cups a day can be increased. Not more than that. If teas are taken in excess, caffeine levels will also increase. This will result your blood pressure, and heart rate to shoot up too. This will make you more prone to irritability and difficulty in falling asleep.

Green tea also contains other various vitamins and minerals but in greater quantities will also be detrimental to one's health too. So drink it regularly. But also drink it in the recommended amounts only. No more. No less.

10: Tea is bad for your health because it contains caffeine.

Answer: FICTION.

Just because a drink contains caffeine does not necessarily mean its automatically bad for you and for your health. If come to think of it, tea contains half as much caffeine as coffee does and coffee is not known to cause serious effects on a person's health. Besides that, teas contain not only caffeine but also other substances that are also very good contributors to one's health. For instance, teas contain catechins. These are very powerful anti-oxidants that gets rid of free radicals and others harmful elements inside the body. It also keeps you feeling refreshed and younger-looking. It makes you feel energetic, alive and relaxed as well. It protects you from heart diseases, diabetes and even high blood pressure. It is even known to prevent and fight cancers like: Breast, lung, esophageal, colon, pancreatic, liver cancers and many more. The health benefits list goes on. And let us not forget that tea also contains L-theanine. This compound counteracts the effects of caffeine. So if you do not want to feel the effects of caffeine like coffees give, teas are very good alternatives for you.

11: All teas are the same. They just have different flavors.

Answer: FICTION.

This is not true! Different types of teas have very different characteristics so therefore are very much different from one another. Like twins for example. They may look identical physically, but they are different persons with different personalities. The same applies to teas. No matter how similar-looking they are and they may even come from the same variety, they are almost NEVER the same in flavor and taste. Many factors affect the teas. For instance, the region where they grew can have an impact on the tea's flavor. The place where they were produce and the type of climate it can also be a factor. Or the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals while breeding the tea plant. So no two products are exactly the same.

12: Iced tea is also the same as hot tea.

Answer: FICTION.

The main reason that states this statement otherwise is the fact that most iced tea produced and available in the market today is all "ready-to-drink". They are usually acidified with acids like ascorbic or citric to add flavorings. Therefore, they are more artificial than hot teas. Iced teas are also subjected to heat of extremely high temperatures to comply with FDA's shelf-stable requirements for it to be sold in markets. These teas also contain very high amounts of sugar and caffeine and adversely with lower anti-oxidant properties. We should remember that this anti-oxidant property is the main contributor as to why teas are very beneficial to health in the first place. Studies also suggest that if teas are chilled, caffeine levels also become more pronounced.

13: Decaf teas are equivalents of regular teas.

Answer: FICTION.

This is not ALWAYS the case. There have been studies that suggest that in some cases, decaffeination involves using of certain chemicals to achieve its desired effect. Therefore, this does not make it almost natural as regular teas can offer. So it is safe to assume that these types of tea should be avoided for they are bad for the body compared to what regular teas can give you.

14: Teas have long shelf life.

Answer: FACT.

Teas have very long shelf lives if properly packaged and stored in dry, safe places.
Teas can even last for a very long time. One very good example to ascertain this fact is black teas. They are placed in bricks that were brought along in ancient trade routesin the past. The only thing that can lessen the tea's long shelf life is if it exposed to heat prematurely and in sunlight. It is important to note that once tea bags or loose leaf teas are opened, and therefore exposed to air, its quality will slowly degrade.

15: Drinking teas is just a fad and a hoax.

Answer: FICTION.

We should remember that next to water, tea is the most popular and most consumed beverage in the world. It would not gain its status if it is known to be just a fad or its health benefits are just a hoax. Many researchers have backed up on its health benefits. Many people have already tried and loved it. Since 5000 years ago when it was first discovered up to the present people continue to drink this wonderful drink. And do not tell me they are all fooled. For if it were the case, then drinking tea would probably the longest and biggest hoax known to mankind ;-)...

To wrap things up:

Just remember, if used and drank properly, with all the precautions and principles in mind, teas are very good for your health. Teas are good for you if you drink it properly and responsibly. If you keep all those things in mind, you can never go wrong. Not with teas anyway.