Staying Healthy on the Go with Green Tea

The Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

I think the hardest part about staying healthy as a busy person is finding sustainable, no-hassle options that I can just grab on my way out the door. Particularly, when you’re the type of person who loves to enjoy tea at almost any point during the day, it can feel impossible to find quality options that are ready to brew without an infuser or added sweeteners. One of the most nutritious (and slightly caffeinated) teas out there is green tea, so it’s definitely one of my go-tos—plus, there are so many benefits of drinking it. And, for any fellow nerds out there, it’s steeped in rich history which makes it so much more fun to enjoy.

Green tea’s humble beginnings date back to ancient China when it was accidentally discovered by the Chinese Emperor Shennong who drank water that had a dead tea leaf boiled in it. According to this tale, he fell in love with the flavor (we can see why), and the tea was officially created. Today, tea-fanatics may know that green tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, and it’s produced by steaming, pan firing, and drying young, non-fermented leaves—and the key to quality, health-conscious green tea is in the ingredients. But what exactly is green tea good for anyway?

Enjoy the Health Benefits of Green Tea

According to a medical journal article titled “Tea and Health: Studies in Humans” written by Naghma Khan and Hasan Mukhtar, various studies show that the polyphenolic compounds found in green tea are associated with health benefits like preventing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and signs of aging. Additionally, green teas can have chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects as well. In fact, the earliest cancer preventative effect of tea that they have on record took place in 1988. Their lab launched several studies that suggest the catechins and theaflavins found in green tea may reduce the risk of some cancers that affect the prostate, lung, and breast. Lastly, it’s important to note the potential brain function improvements as one of the benefits of drinking green tea. Aside from caffeine, green tea also contains amino acid L-theanine which can permeate the blood barrier. This Healthline article, “10 Evidence-Based Benefits of Green Tea,” cites several reputable studies that show L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA which also has anti-anxiety effects. Maybe that’s why drinking a cup of green tea makes me feel so zen….

Image credit: tealet.com

Give Tea Time an Upgrade 

If you find yourself resonating with the person I described earlier—always busy, and always searching for ways to be healthy on the go in a no-mess, no-fuss kind of way—you need to check out our collection of lightly pre-sweetened artisan green tea bags. Our sophisticated flavors are easy to brew, and are made with natural craft sweeteners and quality tea leaves that yield better health benefits than lower quality brands do. We also recommend opting for a high quality green tea as some cheaper options may contain too much fluoride, according to the National Library of Medicine. Although our tea requires no messy infusers or added sugar, brewing to the correct water temperature and steep time is crucial—if it’s brewed right, you don’t need massive amounts of sweetener to cut the bitterness. For example, our Jasmine Honey Green made with granulated honey should be brewed by bringing 10-12 oz. of water to a 185°F, steeping the bag for a max of 3-4 minutes. And when making our Orange Spiced Green, you should bring 10-12oz. of water to only 175°F and steep for 4 minutes. If you’re interested in learning more about our natural sweeteners and how they’re paired with various flavor profiles, check out our blog article, “How to Brew with Sweeteners.”

Now that you’re officially educated on the benefits of drinking green tea, don’t ruin a good thing—go with something that’s already lightly pre-sweetened and made with responsibly sourced ingredients. No need to add excess sugar that takes away from the tea’s benefits. Interested in learning more about tea’s perks in general? Learn how tea time for kids can dramatically improve their health and learning. And, be sure to uncover the secret to the perfect hot-brewed tea by reading our blog. Lastly, explore our other artisan tea collections like Oolong, Herbals, and Chai for more great flavors.