Organic Black Tea and a Healthy Heart
February is Heart Health Awareness Month
Tea is quite the versatile beverage. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, winter or summer, and morning, noon, or night. More importantly, tea is touted for its health benefits including high antioxidant and vitamin C levels.
Black tea is especially high in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that exist in plants and help combat the formation of free radicals in your body. Free radicals cause damage to your body at the cellular level, but antioxidants slow down this process, thus boosting your immune system and helping you ward off sickness. Studies also show that black tea lowers blood pressure and helps you maintain a healthy circulatory system, helping to reduce your risk for heart disease. And when you choose organic, you can trust that you are receiving these nutrients in their purest form, without toxic chemicals or harmful additives.
Unlike fruits or vegetables, tea cannot be washed after harvesting because it would then initiate the steeping process. Water also starts the oxidation process, which turns green tea into black tea and also develops caffeine and other enzymes. Essentially, whatever has been sprayed on the fragile tea leaves or worked into the soil, brews directly into your cup. Thus, the best way to avoid exposure of pesticides is to choose the organic option – it will be free from toxic chemicals and rich with flavor and nutrients!
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/356161-what-are-the-benefits-of-organic-tea/#ixzz1kxzrZmdv
