10 Science-Backed Reasons To Drink More Tea

In the U.K. alone, roughly 75 million cups of tea are consumed daily, while it is estimated that over 3 billion cups are consumed worldwide every day. Tea's popularity isn't just due to its pleasant taste either. For centuries it has been drunk for its therapeutic benefits, which have now been heavily studied. So, let's break down all the science-backed reasons you should be drinking more tea.

The medicinal benefits of tea, no matter the variety, have been known for thousands of years. And now, modern science is backing up a lot of those benefits. Here are 10 science-backed reasons to drink more tea:

In a review of 15 studies3, it was found that those who consumed two to six cups of green tea a day for longer than 12 weeks had lower body fat and body weight than those who did not. Not a fan of brewed tea yet? Green tea extract, a concentrated form of green tea available in powders and pills, has also shown metabolism-boosting weight loss benefits.

Research has shown that tea can be beneficial for those with inflammatory bowel disease as well as other inflammation-driven diseases5.

Chronic diseases are among the leading causes of death in the U.S., making tea all the more important to drink daily. More benefit was seen in those who drank three to four cups a day versus one cup or no cups, so drink up!

Green tea may help reduce complications from diabetes7. Diabetes is a worldwide health concern, with significant risks of complications, early death, and poorer quality of life. Research shows tea can improve insulin sensitivity, protect pancreatic cells from further damage, and decrease inflammation, all benefiting those at risk for or already diagnosed with diabetes.

Additionally, it can boost memory and increase attention span to prevent cognitive decline. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in tea has been shown to improve reaction time, visual processing, memory, and concentration9. It even changes the way your brain is organized for more efficient information processing.

While more clinical studies in humans are needed, some long-term observational studies have found similar cancer-fighting benefits. For example, Japanese women who drank 10 or more cups of green tea a day (120 ml or 4 ounces each) had a seven-year delay in cancer11 onset. This amount of tea was reported to be equivalent to 2.5 grams of green tea extract.

Not all drinks are good for you mouth (looking at you, sugary sodas and juices!). But teas can actually improve oral health12. Tea contains fluoride and can improve bacterial populations in the mouth. This reduces the risk of periodontal disease, cavities, and possibly even oral cancer. So even if you skimp on flossing here and there, you can still feel good about your oral health if you are sipping tea.

Is there anything tea can't do? A 2018 review13 reports struggles with fertility are heavily influenced by the degree of oxidative stress in reproductive tissues. Enter: tea. The polyphenols in tea have confirmed anti-inflammatory and potent antioxidant effects. Therefore, the authors suggest, tea can improve fertility in both men and women. More research is needed, but it certainly looks promising.

This one might surprise you. While it was previously thought that tea (and coffee) promoted dehydration by acting like a diuretic and causing the body to lose more fluid, recent research14 finds that up to six to eight cups of tea a day is just as hydrating as the same amount of water. 

Gut health isn't all just fiber and probiotics. Research shows that tea's polyphenols can beneficially modify gut bacteria15. This can lead to positive health effects like reduced carbohydrate absorption, improved blood sugar levels, and weight loss.

OK, now that you are craving a warm mug of tea, which type should you have? There are four main kinds of teas (not including herbal teas, which can be made from a wide variety of plants): black, green, oolong, and white. These four types are all made from the leaves of the evergreen shrub, Camellia sinensis but are processed differently.

White tea is the least processed form of tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, providing a more delicate flavor and contains less caffeine than black tea (though caffeine levels vary among brands). For white tea, the leaves are harvested when they still are covered in silvery white hairs.

Matcha is essentially green tea powder but differs from brewed green tea in that the tea leaves are covered prior to harvest, yielding a more concentrated flavor and higher caffeine and antioxidant levels.

Oolong tea is derived from partially fermented tea leaves and contains similar amounts of caffeine as white and green tea. Oolong tea, though less popular, provides many of the same benefits as the more well-researched green tea.

RELATED READ: Take A Sip: Here The 6 Healthiest Teas You Can Drink For Longevity

Despite your tea of choice, the research is clear. Drink three to six cups every day of white, green, oolong, black, or herbal tea as a way to stay warm in the cold months, cool off during the hot months, and to enjoy a healthier heart, brain, and body.