So, what nutrients are actually in tea? Can it truly have a health-preserving effect? And how should it be consumed to maximize its benefits?

Experts point out that the currently confirmed health benefits of tea include preventing cancers (such as lung, esophageal, liver, and colon cancer), regulating blood lipids, lowering blood sugar, enhancing immune function, and preventing damage from smoking. Drinking tea can repair DNA damage caused by smoking, and the effect is very good. This is a conclusion we reached through human experiments and is considered relatively leading worldwide.

Tea contains a variety of effective nutrients, such as the well-known tea polyphenols, as well as theanine, vitamins, caffeine, etc. According to the production process, Chinese tea is divided into six major categories: green tea, black tea, yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea, and dark tea.

Later, some reprocessed teas, such as scented tea, were developed based on these six categories. Different types of tea contain different effective components, and their effects also vary. Green tea protects cardiovascular health. Green tea is non-fermented; examples include West Lake Longjing, Dongting Biluochun, and Huangshan Maofeng. Its main benefits are preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as well as antioxidant properties, boosting immunity, and inhibiting and killing bacteria.

White tea relieves anxiety

White tea can be classified into two types depending on the classification method. One is the familiar Anji white tea, which is actually a type of green tea. It has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its milder taste compared to regular green tea.

The main benefits of white tea include protecting brain nerves, enhancing memory, and reducing anxiety. Additionally, the theanine in white tea can counteract some of the effects of caffeine, making it suitable for those who are concerned about tea affecting their sleep.

The other type is white tea produced in areas like Fuding, Fujian. This tea has a relatively low yield and a stronger taste compared to typical green tea. Current research suggests that this tea has good effects on regulating immunity and lowering blood sugar.

Oolong tea and black tea lower cholesterol

Oolong tea is semi-fermented; representative varieties include Wuyi rock tea (Da Hong Pao), Tieguanyin, Dongding oolong tea, and Fenghuang Dancong. Black tea is fully fermented; representative varieties include Anhui's Qimen black tea and Yunnan's Dianhong black tea. Black tea from India and Sri Lanka is also world-renowned. Due to fermentation, black tea is less stimulating than green tea and has different benefits, such as promoting blood circulation and lowering cholesterol.

Dark tea aids weight loss and fat reduction

Dark tea is post-fermented tea, with Pu-erh tea being the most well-known. It contains a high total amount of tea polyphenols, which have excellent lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. According to reports, Professor Bernard Jacotot of the Henri Mondor Hospital in Paris gave 20 patients with high blood lipids three bowls of Yunnan Pu-erh tea daily for a month and found that their blood fat levels had decreased by almost one-quarter.

Pu-erh tea can inhibit weight gain and reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Some premium teas, such as Mingqian tea (pre-Qingming tea) among Longjing teas, contain the same types of effective components as ordinary teas, though the amounts may differ. Mingqian tea, harvested early, has higher levels of theanine and vitamin C but lower levels of tea polyphenols. For health preservation purposes, there is no need to buy particularly expensive teas.

So, which type of tea is the most nutritious? Both experts believe that the total amount of polyphenols is roughly similar across all teas. However, because green tea has the simplest processing method, its nutrients are better preserved.

How to drink tea for the best health benefits? After choosing the tea that suits you, how to maximize its effects is also a skill. Different teas require specific methods for storage, brewing, and consumption.

Storage: Tea is most afraid of moisture and odors

The best containers for storage are tin bottles, porcelain jars, or colored glass bottles. The next best options are iron tins, wooden boxes, or bamboo boxes. Plastic bags and cardboard boxes are the least suitable. Containers must be dry, clean, and odor-free. Stored tea should be kept in a dry, well-ventilated place, away from damp, high-temperature, unclean, or sun-exposed areas. These places should also not contain strongly scented items such as camphor, medicine, cosmetics, cigarettes, or cleaning products. Fresh green tea from the current year can also be sealed and placed in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator, where it can be stored for 3-6 months.

Brewing: Rinse tea for no more than 15 seconds

Many people nowadays prefer to rinse tea before drinking, but over-rinsing should be avoided as it can cause significant loss of nutrients.

If tea must be rinsed, the rinsing time should not exceed 15 seconds. Green tea and white tea are best not rinsed at all. However, there is an exception: people who are sensitive to caffeine can rinse the tea once before drinking, as caffeine leaches out faster than tea polyphenols. A quick rinse can remove some of the caffeine. Consumption: 12 grams per day is optimal. For the average person, consuming about 12 grams of tea per day, divided into 3-4 brews, is appropriate. Those who consume more oily foods, smoke, or drink alcohol may increase their tea intake accordingly.

Pregnant women, children, individuals with neurasthenia, or those with tachycardia should reduce their tea consumption appropriately. With the popularity of Gongfu tea, people are drinking tea "hotter and hotter," which is very wrong. People drink tea for health, but drinking scalding tea can increase the risk of cancers such as esophageal cancer, which is counterproductive. The optimal temperature for drinking tea should be around 60 degrees Celsius, not exceeding 70 degrees Celsius.

Additionally, you can drink different teas at different times of the day: a light cup of green tea in the morning to refresh the mind; jasmine tea in the morning to boost productivity with its pleasant fragrance; black tea in the afternoon to relieve drowsiness and refresh yourself; and in the evening, when gathering with friends or family, brew a pot of oolong or Pu-erh tea for a unique experience without affecting sleep. This daily tea-drinking schedule is worth trying.

Leftover tea can also be put to good use. It's no exaggeration to say that tea is a treasure from head to toe. As long as it is utilized properly, "expired" tea can still be useful. One example is overnight tea. Drinking overnight tea is not actually harmful, but tea oxidizes easily, so tea stains often remain on the cup.