Health Benefits of Tea for Fibromyalgia and Arthritis
There are many health benefits of tea. As long as you are not sweetening it with sugar/honey, or adding milk, it is calorie-free. This is great for anyone watching their weight, but the benefits don’t stop there.
For people like me who live with painful and chronic inflammation from fibromyalgia and arthritis, tea is one of the best beverage choices we can make. Tea is easy to make and can be enjoyed all day long.
Keep reading to discover the various types of teas and their health benefits.
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Health Benefits of Black, Green, and White Teas
Black, green, and white teas all have one thing in common. Each one is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This is great news for those of us doing everything we can to reduce how much inflammation our bodies experience from chronic illness. If that isn’t enough, here are some more health benefits to these popular teas.
Black Teas
Black teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant. They are often blended with other plants to create a variety of flavors. Popular black teas include Earl Grey and chai. While a glass of black tea has less caffeine than a cup of coffee, it contains more caffeine than other teas.
When consumed regularly the health benefits of black tea include but are not limited to:
- Reduction of inflammation
- Reduced cholesterol
- Improved gut health
- Reduced blood sugar levels
- Improved heart health
- Lower blood pressure
Green Teas
The biggest benefit of green tea is its catechin content. These antioxidants fight cell damage. Brew your next cup of green tea in water with a temperature range of 160-170 degrees. Boiling water is bad for catechins. To increase absorption of catechins, add lemon, and skip the milk as it makes them harder to absorb.
When consumed regularly the health benefits of green tea include but are not limited to:
- Improved blood flow
- Lowers cholesterol
- Improved memory
- Reduced inflammation
White Teas
Tea that is not processed after drying is called white tea. This gives it a milder flavor compared to black and green teas. It contains tannins, fluoride, catechins, and polyphenols. These compounds are responsible for the various benefits this tea provides.
When consumed regularly the health benefits of white tea include but are not limited to:
- Reduced inflammation
- Repair and recovery of damaged skin
- Improved oral health
- May help control diabetes
- Decrease blood pressure
- Antibacterial properties
Health Benefits of Herbal Teas
Instead of being brewed from the tea plant, herbal teas are made by steeping herbs, flowers, or roots. Herbal teas do not contain caffeine and their health benefits vary depending upon the blend used.
Options for specific health concerns
Improved digestion: Dandelion, chamomile, cinnamon, peppermint, and ginger teas are great for reducing indigestion, bloating, and vomiting.
Boosting immunity: Elderberry, echinacea, ginger, and licorice root teas are known for their antioxidants and vitamins that fight disease and infection.
Reduced inflammation: One of the best inflammation-busting herbs is ginger which makes it the ideal tea for people with arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Stress and anxiety reduction: Stress and anxiety can increase pain from inflammatory illnesses. Chamomile tea can help relieve stress and help you sleep better.
Lower blood pressure: Herbal teas such as Hibiscus can decrease blood pressure.
Word of Caution
Always talk to your doctor before beginning any form of treatment for your chronic illness. Some ingredients and plants may cause a negative reaction with your current medications or trigger an allergic reaction. Because of my lemon allergy, I have to avoid all tea blends that include lemongrass. Not knowing every ingredient can be dangerous.