Tea is a long-standing tradition, well-known, and widely used by ancient peoples for various purposes. Throughout history, different civilizations have embraced tea for medicinal, cultural, and social reasons.
Ancient peoples in China, India, Japan, and other regions used tea for a variety of purposes, such as relieving symptoms of illness, promoting well-being, and even in religious rituals.
Besides that, we also present in this article valuable information about the use of tea and longevity. Keep reading to understand all the benefits of tea consumption!
How tea helps relieve stress, promote relaxation, and other benefits
The combination of L-theanine and caffeine is what gives the tea its effects. Because tea's caffeine is absorbed more gradually than coffee's, it provides a longer-lasting energy boost. Conversely, L-theanine promotes calm, sharpens focus, and even strengthens memory. Additionally, some studies indicate that it might help prevent chronic illnesses (1, 2).
Tea also contains small amounts of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is a neurotransmitter that enhances its calming effects and helps reduce anxiety (1, 2).
In addition to its chemical properties, tea's warmth and aroma can help lower stress, improve mindfulness, and promote relaxation. Research indicates that breathing in the scent of black tea might reduce tension while performing cognitive tasks (1, 2).
A study was conducted to examine the effect of matcha green tea on cognitive function and sleep quality. The research evaluated ninety-nine participants, older adults aged 60–85 years, including patients with subjective cognitive decline (2).
For 12 months, the treatment group received 2 grams of matcha daily. The findings of the study indicated that the consumption of matcha green tea enhances certain cognitive functions, such as facial expression recognition and attention, and improves sleep quality. The study suggests matcha may help prevent dementia (2).
Types of tea
There are several types of tea in the world, the most common used by the population is listed below:
- Black Tea: fully oxidized resulting in a dark color and intense flavor. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is the most popular type of tea in the world.
- Green Tea: unoxidized and minimally processed, resulting in a green color and delicate flavor. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
- Oolong Tea: Partially fermented tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, it is traditionally Chinese and falls between green and black tea in oxidation.
- White Tea: a plant but is the least processed of all teas. It is made from young tea leaves and buds that are simply withered and dried, preserving their delicate flavors and high antioxidant content. It also comes from the Camellia sinensis plant.
- Herbal Tea: This tea differs from traditional teas because it does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, it is made from dried flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, or fruits of various plants, such as Chamomile, Lemon, and Ginger.
The importance of flavonoids present in tea
Since tea is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants, it is an excellent item for a healthy diet. The power of antioxidants comes from a mixture of flavonoids and other bioactive compounds. Flavonoids are powerful plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them essential for overall health (1).
Tea, especially green tea, is rich in catechins and potent flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds help protect cells from damage, support heart health and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases (1,2).
The main catechins found in tea include:
- Epicatechin (EC) – Supports cardiovascular health and immune function.
- Epigallocatechin (EGC) – Known for its strong antioxidant effects.
- Epicatechin gallate (ECG) – Helps combat inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) – The most powerful catechin, linked to fat metabolism, and regulates blood sugar levels (1).
Both green and black teas offer catechins, making them a great addition to a healthy routine.
Drinking tea is associated with a decreased risk of death
According to a big health study that involved half a million people, drinking more black tea was somewhat linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease, and stroke as well as lower all-cause mortality.
Participants found that drinking tea, especially 2 to 3 cups per day, was linked to a lower risk of death from all causes. Black tea, which is popular in the UK, was the subject of the study (3).
Above we summarize the findings of the UK research:
- Black tea was the most common form of tea, consumed regularly by almost 85% of participants;
- There was a slight decrease in all-cause mortality linked to higher tea consumption (2+ cups per day);
- Additionally, there was a lower mortality risk for stroke, ischemic heart disease, and CVD;
- The advantages were true for people with varying rates of caffeine metabolism as well as those who flavored their tea with milk or sugar;
- Despite initial concerns about esophageal cancer, hot tea drinkers did not have a higher mortality risk;
- The study demonstrated that tea's high polyphenol and flavonoid content, which may lower oxidative stress and inflammation, and enhance cardiovascular indicators, are among the biological mechanisms that link tea to health benefits (3).
Research suggests drinking black tea may benefit a balanced diet and offer long-term advantages. Despite drawbacks like self-reported tea intake and missing data on tea variety or preparation, the study's strengths include a large sample size, genetic data, and comprehensive lifestyle assessments.
Regular tea consumption in populations where black tea is popular was associated with a lower overall mortality risk, indicating potential health benefits (3).
At Augment Life, we offer supplements tailored to every need—experience the benefits of our Green Tea Extract 250 mg!
Conclusion
As we can see, the information presented in this article makes it nearly impossible to avoid considering the potential of including tea in our daily diet. The advantages are many and alluring, particularly considering that tea is a straightforward beverage that doesn't need any special preparation and is readily available at a reasonable price.
Therefore, it is worth considering the possibility of incorporating tea into your daily routine, even replacing or reducing coffee consumption.
There are numerous advantages to drinking tea for a longer lifespan, particularly in boosting cardiovascular health and cognitive performance. Although aging is a natural process, people can choose how they want to experience it. This is a crucial factor to consider, and more significantly, it is never too late to change harmful behaviors and embrace new ones that improve well-being and quality of life.
Want to unlock the secrets to a longer, healthier life? Read more in our exclusive articles on longevity below and start your journey to vibrant living today!
- Lessons from Blue Zones - Longevity Promoting Habits
- Do HIIT and Zone 2 workouts influence longevity?
- How does obesity influence longevity?
- The Role of Protein in Maintaining Muscle Mass as You Age
Literature sources:
- National Geographic. How tea affects your body [Internet]. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic; 2022 [cited 2025 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-tea-affects-body
- Uchida K, Meno K, Korenaga T, Liu S, Suzuki H, Baba Y, Tagata C, Araki Y, Tsunemi S, Aso K, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kobayashi M, Kakuma T, Asada T, Ota M, Takihara T, Arai T. Effect of matcha green tea on cognitive functions and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive decline: A randomized controlled study over 12 months. PLoS One. 2024 Aug 30;19(8):e0309287. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309287.
- Inoue-Choi M, Ramirez Y, Cornelis MC, Berrington de González A, Freedman ND, Loftfield E. Tea Consumption and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in the UK Biobank : A Prospective Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2022 Sep;175(9):1201-1211. doi: 10.7326/M22-0041. Epub 2022 Aug 30. Erratum in: Ann Intern Med. 2023 Jun;176(6):882. doi: 10.7326/L23-0138.
