Posted on 04/08/2021 5:39:05 PM PDT by be-baw
When it comes to cognitive longevity, drinking a daily cup of tea is one of the tastiest, cheapest, and healthiest habits. Whichever type of tea you prefer, whether hot or iced, each sip is doing your body a favor.
Different herbal teas offer different health benefits. Chamomile, for example, is linked to helping keep blood sugar levels steady and alleviating the symptoms of PMS. Yerba mate tea offers a natural energy boost. And on the beautiful Greek island of Ikaria, locals sip on savory teas steeped with herbs often overlooked in other parts of the world.
Ikaria is a so-called Blue Zone, a longevity hotspot known for its extraordinary number of centenarians living with little cognitive decline or impairment. Elena Paravantes-Hargitt, RD, a registered dietitian living in Greece and the author of The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners ($17), says that the most popular teas in Ikaria are directly linked to improving brain and heart health as well as reducing inflammation. “Herbal teas are consumed two to three times a day, not just when someone has a sore throat or stomach ache,” she says. Chances are that you already have the herbs used to make these teas in your own pantry.
The best herbal Greek teas for brain health 1. Mountain tea According to Paravantes-Hargitt, mountain Greek tea is one of the most common types of teas consumed not only in Ikaria but throughout Greece. It’s the only one on this list that may require a little effort finding, but the taste and health benefits are well worth it. “Mountain tea is an herbal tea with several varieties growing mainly in the Mediterranean,” says Paravantes-Hargitt, specifically naming the dried leaves and flowers of Sideritis plants (also known as ironwort).
“[Mountain tea] has been studied extensively and is found to positively affect cognitive ability and mood,” she says, adding that it contains phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Since it’s brewed with flowers and leaves, mountain Greek tea has a floral and earthy taste, that’s mild and slightly sweet. Look for mountain tea at specialty Mediterranean or Greek grocers. You can also buy it on Amazon from Traditional Medicinals ($10), Krino’s ($6), and Ancient Foods ($16).
2. Sage tea “Sage is a very common herbal beverage not only in Ikaria but all over Greece,” says Paravantes-Hargitt. Sage tea is used to help with congestion or a sore throat, but that’s not all. “Research has shown that it contains many bioactive ingredients such as camphor, alpha and beta caryophyllene, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, diterpenes, and flavonoids, all of which have antioxidant activity,” she says. These active ingredients have been linked to protection against neurological diseases, including dementia.
3. Oregano tea Oregano is commonly used in Ikarian cooking, but it’s also enjoyed as a savory tea, says Paravantes-Hargitt. In the short term, oregano tea can help calm an upset stomach. Long term, it’s another great choice for brain health. “Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared the antioxidant activity of 39 commonly used herbs and observed that oregano had three to 20 times higher antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied,” says Paravantes-Hargitt.
4. Rosemary tea Another herbal tea commonly consumed in Ikaria is steeped with rosemary, says Paravantes-Hargitt. One study found that consuming rosemary regularly can help protect against dementia because of its high amounts of antioxidants and flavonoids.
5. Fennel tea Similar to oregano tea, fennel tea can help with an upset stomach. (It’s especially helpful with gas.) “Fennel leaves are used in Greek cooking too, in fritters, salads, bean stews, and seafood,” Paravantes-Hargitt says. Like the other Greek teas highlighted here, fennel tea has been scientifically linked to protecting against dementia when consumed on a regular basis. This is because it has antioxidants as well as fatty acids, which help protect the brain.
Of course, food and lifestyle habits also play important roles when it comes to brain health, but integrating one of these teas into your wellness routine will have long-term benefits in protecting against dementia. It certainly makes you think about using herbs you likely already cook with in a whole new way!
Texas Tea
Have enough of that and you can afford the best medical care
Thanks for the suggestion
Well, why did you post then? Do you often go to parties and tell people that you don’t like what they’re talking about?
Bkmk
A friend told us about this tea when hubby and I were down with some bug a year ago January.
Do not know if it was Covid or not.
But this tea seemed to help.
We got it at Whole Foods, I imagine Trader Joe’s would carry it and it is on Amazon.
https://www.gaiaherbs.com/products/bronchial-wellness-herbal-tea
I’m going to market Sereni-Tea Now.
And InsaniTea Later.
From Family Guy:
Try my Mr. T Tea.
I like English Breakfast tea in the morning now. I used to prefer Earl Grey but now I like the taste of English Breakfast better. Peppermint tea is also a super favorite. It’s a great tea for first thing in the morning or any time of day really. I enjoy green tea later in the day sometimes. If I make iced tea, I generally use Luzianne tea bags plus sugar added before the ice. Water should be almost boiling. Never boil tea and expect it to taste right.
Here’s a great tip: drink tea made with thyme to calm the nerves. It’s a very mild tea. I like it with some honey or sugar added. I have never seen thyme tea bags for sale, but thyme tea is easy to make from fresh sprigs of thyme or even dried thyme.
I like English Breakfast tea in the morning now. I used to prefer Earl Grey but now I like the taste of English Breakfast better. Peppermint tea is also a super favorite. It’s a great tea for first thing in the morning or any time of day really. I enjoy green tea later in the day sometimes. If I make iced tea, I generally use Luzianne tea bags plus sugar added before the ice. Water should be almost boiling. Never boil tea and expect it to taste right.
Here’s a great tip: drink tea made with thyme to calm the nerves. It’s a very mild tea. I like it with some honey or sugar added. I have never seen thyme tea bags for sale, but thyme tea is easy to make from fresh sprigs of thyme or even dried thyme.
I like English Breakfast tea in the morning now. I used to prefer Earl Grey but now I like the taste of English Breakfast better. Peppermint tea is also a super favorite. It’s a great tea for first thing in the morning or any time of day really. I enjoy green tea later in the day sometimes. If I make iced tea, I generally use Luzianne tea bags plus sugar added before the ice. Water should be almost boiling. Never boil tea and expect it to taste right.
Here’s a great tip: drink tea made with thyme to calm the nerves. It’s a very mild tea. I like it with some honey or sugar added. I have never seen thyme tea bags for sale, but thyme tea is easy to make from fresh sprigs of thyme or even dried thyme.
Ping
“When it comes to cognitive longevity, drinking a daily cup of tea is one of the tastiest, cheapest, and healthiest habits.”
This contradicts other articles I read in the past stating that tea consumption promotes kidney stones...
“Especially for people who don’t like the taste of plain water, green tea can be extremely helpful in helping someone meet their hydration goals,”
Excuse me... Plain water cannot be disliked. People crave flavoring and sweeteneers.
E-coli alert....
“I get a 1.5 gallon container, put sixteen Luzianne iced tea bags on the bottom, put a whole orange and lemon over that after slicing them with multiple deep cuts, then put a large coffee mug over the fruit. THEN fill it with filtered cold water and let it set for 24 hours. After that, stir, add water and run through a coffee filter into another container. Add sugar and enjoy.”
It has been found that sun tea contains levels of E coli bacteria whereas tea that has been made with boiled water does not.
I quit making sun tea years ago because of that. And when I was a professional cook we were told not to make sun tea and serve it in our dining facility.... as if we really had time to make sun tea for 1000...
Ahh. That sour mash tea.
For those taking beta blockers for high blood pressure, check with your Doc before diving into a jug of green tea. Green tea can effect efficacy of some beta blockers.
Bookmark
???
I never said anything about plain water.
Did you mean to reply to someone else? 🤔
I love coffee. Not much of a tea drinker here either. Once in awhile in the middle of the day in winter when it’s really cold I’ll make a cup of green tea. Other than that....bleh. I do like me some sweet southern black tea in the summer though.
Who knows? I was talking about ecoli and sun tea...
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