Tea is a beverage that is consumed all over the world. Cold or hot, people enjoy tea for many different reasons. It may be refreshing or it may be soothing depending on its use. The many varieties of tea contribute to the overall health benefits of this loved drink by many cultures.

First of all, tea is hydrating. It is a flavorful way of getting water intake for our bodies. The herbal and caffeinated teas all contain beneficial antioxidants that boost immunity and aid detoxification. Tea also has less caffeine in it than a cup of coffee, which can be gentler on the nervous system while still giving that extra energy boost.

Many herbal teas are very soothing for the digestive system. Chamomile tea is antispasmodic while ginger tea can relieve nausea. Herbal teas for digestion ensure that your belly stays happy and can tame symptoms from conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

Green tea is a popular tea choice with many beneficial properties, although in some cases it is not for everyone. It is believed green tea may help boost metabolism to promote weight loss and is also chock full of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals in the body. However, green tea should be avoided by pregnant women and those who have low iron levels. Green tea blocks the uptake of iron in the body and can even cause death if drunk at extremely high doses (10-14 grams or over 5 cups). No more than 2 cups per day of green tea should be drunk to avoid undesirable reactions.

Caffeinated teas, however, can cause stomach upset as an unwanted side effect. Nausea, diarrhea, and in some cases even vomiting can occur! If you have a sensitive stomach, it is best to avoid caffeinated tea and stick with herbal blends. Other side effects such as dizziness, irritability, anxiety, heartburn, and insomnia are also known to happen. More severe side effects such as convulsions, tremors, and irregular heartbeat can also occur. Caffeinated tea can also become physically addictive and cause classic withdrawal headaches after regular consumption and then quitting cold turkey.

The good news is if you do drink caffeinated tea, you are less likely to experience a “caffeine crash” due to the slower absorption of caffeine in your body with the help of antioxidants in the tea.

To make just one pound of tea, it takes 2000 leaves of tea! Tea is most commonly grown in Asia, and also some in the United States. Because teas are so unique in their different herbal blends, it is best to store dried tea leaves in airtight containers away from anything strong smelling such as coffee to avoid competing flavors.

Also, it is interesting to note that different teas have different steeping times. Black tea, for instance, should be steeped for 3-5 minutes, while other varieties may require longer or shorter periods to get the full flavonoids and antioxidant properties.

While tea is often served hot and can be very soothing for colds and sore throats, it can also be served cold, which is nice on hot days. This tradition came to be in America in the early 1900s when a tea vendor at the World’s Fair in St. Louis was having trouble selling his tea because it was so hot outside. He threw some ice into his tea and it was an instant hit that the world has fallen in love with ever since.

Whether you like cold or hot, caffeinated or not, tea is a useful beverage that can be included in any diet. It may take some experimenting to find which one works best for your body. From the Darjeeling tea of the Himalayas to the Arnold Palmers of America, tea is a beloved beverage around the world.