For several decades, tea has been the most drunk beverage in the world, just after water. Originally, the leaves of the tea plant, used to make this drink, grew along the Himalayas, between India, Thailand and Burma, a region where tea has been consumed since Antiquity. After harvesting the leaves, they are dried. They then begin to wither and then oxidize. This period of oxidation will thus define the color of the leaves and therefore the type of tea. The longer the oxidation, the darker the leaves will be. Among the main types of tea is black tea, the most popular in Europe, which accounts for around 75% of global tea consumption. In Asia, particularly in Japan and China, green tea takes precedence.
Tea: an ancestral drink with multiple benefits
A cup of tea contains many beneficial health benefits, thanks to the antioxidants contained in the leaves. They help fight against oxidative stress which causes cell aging. Tea also contains photochemical compounds that help strengthen the immune system, and thus play a role in reducing the risk of many diseases. Finally, theanine is an amino acid found in tea, which helps you relax and reduce stress. Drinking tea daily would also help with weight loss, but also reduce inflammation.
Theine: a natural stimulant to consume in moderation
Present naturally in tea leaves, theine is a molecule that helps stimulate the nervous and cardiovascular system by temporarily increasing attention. Although the names are different, caffeine (from coffee) and theine are identical in their composition. However, their effects remain different, in particular because of the rest of the elements present in each of the two drinks, but also the type of coffee or tea.
Consumed in very large quantities, theine could – like caffeine – cause numerous health problems, including increased heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, but also headaches or addiction. Although the health risks remain quite low, it is still recommended not to exceed the threshold of 400 milligrams per day. For example, a cup of coffee contains around 90 mg of caffeine, while a cup of black tea contains no less than 50 mg of theine. In other words, you should avoid drinking more than 4 cups of coffee per day, or 8 cups of tea.
The different types of tea and their theine content
The amount of theine varies depending on the type of tea. Black and oolong teas are the most infused, followed by green tea. Then we find white tea, the least processed of all. Obviously, caffeine-free teas and natural herbal teas are at the very bottom of the ranking, and contain almost no trace of caffeine.
The temperature of the water but also the duration of infusion also impact the theine content. The higher these two factors are, the more the tea leaves will release theine within the cup itself. However, to be sure to consume as little as possible, the most effective solution remains to opt for versions of teas without theine, available commercially, or even better, for herbal teas such as herbal tea. hibiscus, chamomile or turmeric, all of which are naturally caffeine-free.
