Six Surprising Reasons to Drink Tea This Holiday Season

Why Tea? Why Now?

Tea is second only to water in worldwide consumption. While most drink it for the flavor, over the last few years scientists have discovered that tea offers health benefits, too.

That’s no news to me. I grew up drinking tea with my grandmother and she was always extolling the health benefits of tea. I thought it was just an old wives’ tale, but research now backs up what my grandmother always knew – tea is good for your body, mind and soul.

Six Surprising Health Benefits of Tea

Now, as the holidays are fast approaching, it makes even more sense to add tea to your diet. Here are the six reasons I’ll be drinking more.

1. Bolsters your immune system – While it’s great to get together with family and friends, the hugs, kisses, and close quarters are ideal conditions for sharing the latest bug. Certain teas like green tea, echinacea, rose hips, and eucalyptus can boost your immunity and keep your system strong.

2. Offers digestive support. The holidays are all about over-indulgence, but that often leads to stomach upset and digestive distress. Peppermint, ginger, and papaya teas are just a few of my favorite tummy-helpers.

3. Supports heart health. Starting at Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s, emergency rooms across the country see a dramatic rise in the number of patients with heart concerns. Rich, salt-laden foods, increased alcohol consumption and an irregular schedule can be blamed. And, if you’re uncomfortable, you’re more likely to chalk it up to overindulgence and ignore the warning signs. It’s too cold, dark, and inconvenient to exercise. And with holiday tension, stress and sadness, it’s no wonder your heart’s working overtime. Slow down and relax with a traditional favorite like chamomile or spearmint tea to help protect your heart.

4. Helps burn fat. No doubt you’ve heard of the health benefits of tea. Green tea helps inhibit the accumulation of excess body fat, suppresses your appetite, reduces the absorption of dietary fats and helps you burn more fat. After eating all those sweets, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got plenty of green tea on hand!
5. Provides powerful antioxidants. Teas with blueberries like black tea blueberry or green tea blueberry are particularly good at helping your body fight free radicals.

6. Supports blood sugar. Research shows cinnamon is a powerful nutrient for maintaining blood sugar levels already within the normal range. This now-patented discovery was found by accident when studying why people who ate apple pie had lower blood sugar levels. Turns out the active ingredient in cinnamon, called MHCP, works with the blood sugar in your system. That doesn’t mean you should binge on cinnamon buns. A cinnamon spice tea is ideal… without the additional calories.

While you can buy individual teas for your specific health issue, you might also consider Botanic Choice’s new Herbal Tea of the Month club for yourself or a friend. Select from a 3, 6 or 12 month membership and receive 36 teas each of three different varieties. Each month’s teas have been specially selected to coincide with the health concern of that particular season so you can stay strong and healthy all year long.

To your continued good health,


Dr. Karen Yale B.A., D.C., C.C.N., D.A.C.B.N.