Tea
When it comes to health benefits, the type of tea you drink matters, especially if you are taking regular medication. As a healthy beverage, tea may be the last thing on your mind. Nevertheless, tea is a relatively unexplored option that can offer amazing health benefits from the common cold. The boosted energy levels of a perfect tea cover all of it.
According to studies, regular tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing arterial stiffness in the heart, which has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Actually, high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Tea is especially a rich source of flavonoids and bioactive compounds that can lessen oxidative stress, relieve inflammation and provide other health benefits. So, it may promote heart health by improving blood vessels and endothelial function and improving good cholesterol levels. But the most important factors are your diet and lifestyle.
5 teas to keep your heart healthy
Onion Tea
A tea that not many people usually talk about, but this hidden gem is one of the best teas you can drink. The reason why onion is good for heart health isn’t just something that people believe for no reason.
There’s scientific evidence behind it because onions are a potent source of flavonoids called Corseting and onion promotes the production of HDL, or good cholesterol and reduces bad cholesterol in the body. Precisely this compound can help you control your cholesterol level. At the same time, the sulfur present in the onion works to dilute the blood so that blood clots do not form. Flavanol and onions also help minimize high blood pressure, which is the cause of many cardiovascular issues.
How to prepare onion tea
- boil 1 1/2 cups of water.
- add in one chopped onion, two to three crushed garlic cloves and one Bay leaf to the boiling water.
- Boil for some more time till the water changes its colour.
- strain and take it out in a cup.
- Add honey or lemon juice to taste, if preferred.
Have this every morning on an empty stomach for the best results. You can also have another cup in the evening.
Ginseng tea
Ginseng root is 1 herb which can be used to make tea and purportedly has a host of numerous health benefits. Ginseng tea is considered as one of the most nutritious herbal supplements available in the world.
There are two types of ginseng, one is American and the other is Asian American. Ginseng is said to be safe for consumption over longer periods of time.
This tea is packed with a lot of antioxidants. That’s why this tea is good for the heart’s health. According to the book Prescription for Herbal Healing, ginseng has been shown to slow the heart rate and reduce the heart’s demand for oxygen. Ginseng root can increase the strength with which heart muscle can contract and hence protects the heart from myopathy. Drinking ginseng tea is also said to be a natural home remedy to control hypertension or high blood pressure. Ginseng tea doesn’t have any tea leaves but is instead prepared from ginseng roots.
This tea has a strong taste and smell, which some people have described as medicinal, but usually, the taste is totally dependent on your taste buds.
Turmeric tea
Turmeric is a yellow spice that has long been used for both medicinal purposes and flavouring food. The main ingredient that makes turmeric, the hyped-up ingredient that it is, is curcumin. Inflammation is totally responsible for so many conditions.
Especially for heart disease, the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin make it a great addition to any heart-healthy diet. Research has shown that curcumin helps thin the blood, reduce cholesterol and prevent the narrowing of arteries. Turmeric tea can be a great addition and your heart-healthy journey.
How to prepare turmeric tea
- boil three to four cups of water.
- Add some grated turmeric or a few slices of raw turmeric or powder.
- Allow it to boil for some time.
- Strain the tea in a pot.
- add honey or lemon to enhance its taste.
- After removing the pot from the heat, let the tea cool for a while.
Do not take turmeric. If you’re taking any kind of blood-thinning medication, be sure to check with your doctor. Before adding turmeric to your diet.
Oolong tea
Oolong Tea is a traditional Chinese tea made from the partially oxidized leaves of the Camellia synesis plant. You don’t require milk or sugar to make this tea. You must take one spoonful of tea leaves and 150 millilitres (about 5.07 oz) of hot water.
Give it a moment and it will start unravelling. When the tea leaves start opening, those look like dancing Dragons. It has been named oolong since oolong means black dragon in Chinese.
There are two types of oolong tea. One is a light version with fewer oxidants and the other is the dark version with more oxidants. According to a report from Healthline’s nutrition team, oolong tea is beneficial for heart, brain, bone, and dental health. In addition, it may boost your metabolism, decrease your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and protect against certain types of cancer. A recent study in the Journal of medical investigations shows that increased energy expenditure after drinking green tea was only 4%, whereas oolong tea has an increase of over 10%. Researchers found that men who drank one or more cups of oolong tea per day had a lower risk of heart disease. It is also said that people who consumed oolong tea were found to have stronger immune systems and a lower chance of infections such as the common cold.
Garlic tea
Garlic tea has been very popular throughout time, and now there are studies proving why. According to the 2014 issue of the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, garlic tea can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure while being a treatment for atherosclerosis.
This means that having regular cups of garlic tea can effectively keep your arteries all clean and healthy, and when there’s a nice clean path for your blood to flow through, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease goes down by a boatload. To prepare garlic tea, all you must do is slice up some garlic and pop it in a pan with some hot water and let the tea simmer. You can add some spices or honey to it and amp up the taste however you prefer.
It’s also crucial to make other lifestyle changes for a healthy body. The measures include eating more fruit and vegetables, exercising on a regular basis and getting plenty of rest. So, you must try these teas daily and of course, start with one drink at a time. Rotate teas based on your choice. Don’t worry about when to drink. You can drink it anytime, anywhere
