by Veronica Shine

Created on: June 18, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Tea; The Perfect Drink for Everyone's Cup

According to legend, tea was discovered over five thousand years ago, when Shen Nung, a character from Chinese mythology, was relaxing under a tree and some leaves fell into the water he was heating. He soon discovered that the leaves in the water made a refreshing drink that instantly became a world wide popular choice ever since in China and then elsewhere.

Did you know that tea is the second most consumed drink after water? It is commonplace that when you are feeling ill or troubles are brewing in your life, then a nice hot cup of tea will suffice the situation and helps you cope.

Discover the different teas available from the standard originals to the exotic fruit and aromatic flavors. And now that it is summer, just chill your brewed tea and serve for a refreshing low cal thirst-quencher.

Let's take a look at a few of the properties behind some of the popular selections available:

- Black Tea

Black tea has been the one around your supermarket for years. Tetley, Lipton and Twining are some of the brands serving their black tea in little bags. Professing to help relax the circulation content, preventing oxidation of good cholesterol and the cardiovascular system, it is only second to the healing properties of green tea. A cup of black tea certainly makes for a healthy pick-me-up. - Green Tea

- Green Tea

Taking the supermarkets and gourmet shops by storm, ever since Celestial Seasonings Tea made its debut thirty years ago; green tea has become the number one choice of tea by consumers, not only for taste but for health reasons as well. It is said to be high in antioxidants, while complementing weight control. Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides are just a few of the reasons the public has been flocking towards this delicious beverage, which undergoes no fermentation as black tea has.

- White Tea

White tea has the most potent benefits to offer besides neutralizing the activity of free radicals: it will boost the immune system, relieve stress and tensions and can help ease migraine headaches. It is white because it is selected before the tea leaves open and like green tea, has little or no fermentation.

- Red Tea

Red tea comes from an entirely different plant known as Aspalanthus linearis or Rooibos, than the other teas. Surprisingly, this tea does not derive from Asia but grows in the wild of South Africa instead. It has been used for medicinal purposes for years by South Africans. Its properties seem to be help in fight obesity and are currently under testing. It contains no tannin, a substance found in traditional tea plants, and red tea is proving to be reducer of fat in the blood as well as a sleep enhancer-

According to Health Notes, the Nutritional Highlights of tea are that tea contains only 1.7 calories to a cup, with no fat or carbohydrates. As you can judge, tea is not only a refreshing beverage but may be better to drink for weight loss and overall health this season.

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