The benefits of drinking Chinese tea

China offers a wealth of history and culture to explore. Among the many things to experience when travelling in China is drinking Chinese tea, the traditional way. China was in fact one of the first countries to grow and produce tea. Over the years the country has cultivated various types of tea trees and perfected the tea production process. In doing so, they now create some of the most well-regarded tea on the planet. There are various kinds of Chinese tea to try when visiting China, including black tea, green tea, scented tea, oolong tea, white tea, tea lump, post fermented tea and yellow tea.

Chinese green tea has a long history, spanning thousands of years. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that green tea was recognised outside of China, with people from all over the world now embracing this traditional beverage for its many benefits. Whilst green tea remains the most popular tea type in China, there are many advantages to drinking Chinese tea, benefits we will discuss further in this post.

Taste minus the high caffeine levels

In western culture, we have come to rely on our daily cup of tea or coffee to provide that much needed jolt of caffeine. Unfortunately, excessive caffeine consumption can have negative health impacts. Caffeine may be known for increasing alertness but that isn’t the only way it affects our bodies, as Medical News Today (@mnt) explains:

“The Mayo Clinic state that consuming more than 500-600 mg of caffeine a day may lead to insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, an upset stomach, a fast heartbeat and even muscle tremors. However, previous research has linked even moderate amounts of caffeine to negative health effects. Last year, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that consuming 300 mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy may increase the risk of low birth weight babies, while other research suggests that drinking four cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of early death.”

Chinese tea, particularly green varieties, offer all the taste without the excessive amounts of caffeine. Green and white tea (like jasmine tea) contain considerably less caffeine than black tea.

Healthy body and mind

Tea drinking to lose weight may not be a popular choice but there are certain varieties of Chinese tea that are well regarded for metabolising fat and helping to shift those hard to lose pounds. Longjing tea is well known for this particular benefit. Many people choose to drink this tea variety alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise to successfully manage weight. As well as a better body image, drinking Chinese tea has been proven to lower cholesterol and boost immunity for improved health all round.

Look after those pearly whites

Black tea and coffee are known for their staining effect on teeth, but Chinese tea provides the opposite result. All Chinese tea varieties offer a natural source of fluoride, an essential mineral that prevents decay and strengthens teeth. It’s not just your teeth that will benefit from you drinking Chinese tea. Green tea contains antioxidants that keep the skin healthy, vibrant, and youthful.

An essential source of hydration

Whether you are travelling to China during the summer or winter months, staying hydrated throughout your journey is important. Whilst black tea has a dehydrating effect on the body, Chinese tea keeps you hydrated for longer, just as much as if you were drinking the same quantity of water.

Want more top tips for drinking Chinese tea? Read our recent blog for all the advice you need on drinking tea like a pro in China.