Is drinking fresh tea good for your health?

Is drinking fresh tea good for you?

Fresh tea is one of the most popular and healthy beverages. According to the Health & Life newspaper, Dr. Howard Sesso, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School (USA), drinking fresh tea correctly and in the right amount has the following effects:

Combating inflammation that can lead to cancer.

Fresh tea leaves are rich in flavonoids called catechins. Polyphenols are plant chemicals in tea leaves that act as powerful antioxidants. Fresh tea infusion is particularly rich in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a catechin with anti-inflammatory properties. EGCG and other antioxidants help minimize inflammation caused by free radicals that damage cells.

Over 5,000 studies have been published on fresh tea and cancer, including clinical trials in humans, population-based studies, and laboratory analyses. Research also indicates that the anti-inflammatory properties of fresh tea may reduce the risk of certain cancers and cancer recurrence.

Preventing stroke and heart disease

Several studies suggest that fresh tea may lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. A 2023 study found that people who drank 2-4 cups of fresh tea daily may reduce their risk of stroke by up to 24%.

The antioxidants in fresh tea, including EGCG and other catechins, reduce bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) and total cholesterol. Fresh tea also contains other heart-protective flavonoids called quercetin and theaflavin. Flavonoids open up blood vessels and keep them flexible, allowing blood to flow more easily.

Boost brain health

Fresh tea also contains amino acids—such as L-theanine and catechins, like EGCG—that offer brain-protective benefits. One study of older and middle-aged adults found that those who regularly drank fresh tea had a 64% lower risk of dementia or problems with concentration. This risk reduction was nearly 20% higher than in participants who drank black tea.

Another study of people showing signs of cognitive decline (cognitive impairment) found that fresh tea reduced certain molecules known as biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Drinking fresh tea helps strengthen bones.

A meta-analysis of 17 different studies showed that drinking fresh tea may protect against osteoporosis and reduce the risk of fractures. The findings suggest that EGCG and other polyphenols in fresh tea may help strengthen bones by improving bone density and reducing age-related bone loss.

Lower blood sugar levels

People with type 2 diabetes or those at risk for it (prediabetes) may benefit from drinking more fresh green tea. Research suggests that the high L-theanine content in green tea may help prevent diabetes. Other studies indicate that fresh green tea helps improve blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

Note that drinking sweetened fresh tea can alter these benefits by raising blood sugar levels, especially when consumed with high amounts of added sugar. Drink fresh tea without added sweeteners.

Protecting the prostate

According to laboratory studies (not on humans), polyphenols in fresh tea – particularly EGCG – may prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The findings suggest that EGCG inhibits prostate cells from multiplying and enlarging. However, more research is needed to confirm this value.

Things to keep in mind when drinking fresh tea.

According to Thanh Nien newspaper, Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, a specialist in Traditional Medicine and lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said that fresh tea should be consumed appropriately and in the correct dosage to avoid affecting health.

It should be drunk hot.

Fresh tea is considered cooling in nature, so it shouldn't be consumed cold because excessive coldness can lead to phlegm. Therefore, it should be drunk hot. In some places, both domestically and internationally, there is a custom of drinking tea hot, sometimes even adding a slice of fresh ginger to the tea.

Do not consume on an empty stomach or in the evening.

Fresh green tea contains a high amount of caffeine, which can cause dizziness, heartburn, and lightheadedness if consumed on an empty stomach. The caffeine in green tea stimulates the central nervous system, increasing concentration and brain activity.

Therefore, drinking fresh tea in the evening can cause difficulty falling asleep and insomnia. It is better to drink fresh tea in the early morning to keep your mind alert and increase work and study efficiency.

Do not consume immediately after meals.

Avoid drinking fresh tea immediately after meals because the tannins can reduce the absorption of iron and other nutrients from food.

Not suitable for people with constipation or those taking blood clot dissolving medication.

"The tannins in fresh tea leaves have an antidiarrheal effect, so people with constipation should limit their consumption. Tea leaves should not be used by people taking blood-thinning medication because green tea contains vitamin K, which increases blood clotting," Dr. Vu explained.

Furthermore, people with nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and high blood pressure should also limit their consumption of fresh tea leaves, as fresh tea contains a lot of caffeine which stimulates the nervous system, increases the burden on the heart, and raises heart rate and blood pressure.