Tea, originated in China, is popular all over the world. From firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar tea, to qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and fragrant tea, drinking tea is not only a part of people's daily life, but also one of the contents of elegant life. What is the health of a small tea leaf?What are the health benefits of drinking tea for the human body?Have you ever thought about these questions?
Tea is a natural plant drink, which is rich in a variety of nutrients and active ingredients, which play an important role in maintaining human health.
In recent years, domestic and foreign research has increasingly confirmed the various health care functions of tea, such as delaying aging, regulating metabolism, enhancing immunity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial, clearing heat and detoxifying, eliminating food and stomach, refreshing and driving sleep, clearing eyes and mind, treating sores and stopping diarrhea, lightening the body and changing bones, longevity and health, etc.
So, how does tea achieve these miraculous effects?What are the healthy ingredients in tea and how do they work?Uncover the four secrets of tea health for youLet you have a deeper understanding of the charm of tea and enjoy the pleasure of drinking tea more scientifically.
Tea polyphenols are the most important active ingredients in tea and are the general term for polyphenols, including catechins, flavonoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids. Among them,Catechins account for more than 60% of the total number of tea polyphenols and are the main determinants of tea quality.
Tea polyphenols contain multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups, which have strong antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals, and can be said to be a natural antioxidant.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that attack the body's cells and DNA, causing them to age, mutate, and die, and have been linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, protect the body from oxidative stress, and help maintain healthy cellular function.
Tea polyphenols also have a variety of physiological functions such as lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids, lowering blood sugar, anti-thrombosis, anti-arteriosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-mutation, anti-tumor, etc., and have a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
Caffeine (also called caffeine) is a central nervous system stimulant, which is the main alkaloid component in tea and one of the bitter substances in tea. The content of caffeine is related to factors such as the variety, origin, processing method, and brewing conditions of tea, and is generally between 2% and 5%.
Caffeine has a refreshing and anti-fatigue effect, it can pass through the blood-brain barrier, enter the brain, bind to adenosine receptors, block the inhibitory effect of adenosine, thereby increasing the release of neurotransmittersStimulates the activity of neurons, improving a person's alertness, concentration, memory, thinking ability and reaction speed.
Caffeine can also promote myocardial contraction, increase cardiac output, dilate coronary arteries, improve myocardial ischemia, and have a certain protective effect on the heart.
Caffeine also has diuretic, hangover, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-asthma and other effects, and has a certain alleviating effect on some common diseases.
However, caffeine also has some adverse effects, such as excessive consumption can cause insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, stomach pain and other symptoms, and has certain irritation and damage to organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneysIt should not be consumed too much by sensitive groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Tea polysaccharide is a water-soluble polysaccharide, which is the main carbohydrate component in tea and one of the sweetening substances in tea. The content of tea polysaccharides is related to the variety, origin, processing method, brewing conditions and other factors of tea, generally between 3% and 10%.
Tea polysaccharides have the effects of lowering blood lipids, lowering blood sugar and anti-salt, and play an important role in regulating the metabolism of the human body. Tea polysaccharides can inhibit the activity of lipid synthaseLowers serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels to prevent atherosclerosis.
Tea polysaccharides can also increase the secretion of insulin, promote the utilization of glucose, reduce the level of blood sugar, and have a certain auxiliary effect on diabetic patients. Tea polysaccharides can also inhibit the activity of sodium pumps, reduce sodium absorption, increase potassium excretion, and reduce blood pressure levelsIt has a certain auxiliary effect on patients with hypertension.
Tea polysaccharides also have the effects of enhancing immunity, anti-virus, anti-tumor, anti-radiation, anti-aging, anti-hypoxia, etc., and have a positive effect on improving the body's resistance and adaptability.
L-theanine is an amino acid, which is the main amino acid component in tea and one of the umami substances in tea. The content of theanine is related to the variety, origin, and processing method of teaBrewing conditions and other factors, generally between 1% and 4%.
L-theanine has a calming effect, it can pass through the blood-brain barrier, enter the brain, bind to glutamate receptors, inhibit the excitatory effect of glutamate, thereby reducing the release of neurotransmitters and inhibiting the activity of neuronsReduce people's anxiety, tension, fear and other emotions, and increase people's relaxation, calm, pleasure and other emotions.
L-theanine can also promote the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep, which can improve a person's mood, relieve depression, and promote sleep.
Tea is an amazing plant-based drink that not only gives a wonderful taste and visual pleasure, but also a variety of health benefits. Of course, drinking tea should also pay attention to methods and moderationDifferent teas have different applicable groups and brewing requirements, and different human constitutions and health conditions also have different taboos and precautions for drinking tea.
Tea drinking should be based on personal preferences and needs, choose the right tea and brewing methods, and drink it in an appropriate amount and in a timely manner, so as to give full play to the best effect of tea and enjoy the greatest pleasure of tea.