Drinking tea is so troublesome—you have to steep it, brew it, and in summer, it makes you sweat profusely. It’s far less thrilling than coffee or cola. So why do we drink tea?

Data shows that China is the birthplace of tea leaves and the world’s largest tea producer, with output nearing half of the global total. Yet, our per capita tea consumption lags far behind production.

So what are the benefits of drinking tea?

First, tea has antioxidant effects. Tea polyphenols, one of its key components, account for 18%-36% of dry tea content and exhibit notable antioxidant properties.

Experiments show that two cups of tea (300ml) offer antioxidant benefits equivalent to 1.5 bottles of red wine, 12 bottles of white wine, 12 glasses of beer, 4 apples, 5 onions, or 7 glasses of orange juice.

Second, tea has anticancer properties. Research by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that various teas block cancer cell synthesis by an average rate of 65%, with black tea at 43% and green tea at 82%. Most green teas exceed 85%, indicating their superior anticancer effects.

Third, tea helps prevent cardiovascular diseases. Japanese epidemiological studies reveal that drinking 10 small cups daily reduces cardiovascular risks by 42% in men and 18% in women compared to fewer than 3 cups.

A daily cup of green tea burns 100 calories, boosts energy, and sharpens focus.

A daily cup of black tea soothes fatigue, enhances concentration, and warms the stomach.

Embrace a healthy life—start each day with a cup of tea.