The Benefits of Tea for Seniors
It’s A Par-Tea
Thursday, September 10 | 1:30 p.m.
To RSVP, call Diane at 913-278-2120 by September 1 and we will email you the Zoom meeting link.
You’re invited to join our virtual tea party. Pour yourself a cup of our signature blend and listen as our tea professional presenter discusses tea’s history in her travelogue. Paula Winchester is certified by the Specialty Tea Institute in New York City.
In this fascinating presentation, Paula will discuss the world of tea. You can learn more about the evolution of tea, how it grows, why teas taste different and proper ways to brew the different types of tea. Her travelogue will cover her tea journeys to India, Japan, China and Taiwan.
Why Drinking Tea Is Great for Seniors
Tea has long been known to have positive benefits. Served since ancient times, the beverage has become increasingly popular over the years for a variety of reasons. Records show tea was served in China since 2000 B.C.E., according to Medical News Today.
Aside from water, tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world providing one of the lowest costs per serving of any beverage. It’s calorie free, fat free and cholesterol free while still being antioxidant rich.
Drinking tea can be soothing, de-stressing and bring on a positive mood. Tea provides a broad spectrum of health advantages, particularly for seniors.
Consuming Tea Has Been Associated with These Health Benefits:
- Stronger bones
- Enhanced heart health
- Improved blood pressure
- Healthier gut bacteria
- Improved hair and skin
- Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
- Lower risk of Parkinson’s disease
- Natural defense from the sun’s ultraviolet rays
What Are the Best Teas for Good Health?
Both hot and iced tea have multiple benefits for your health and well-being. This is in part due to the antioxidants teas contain as well as anti-inflammatory benefits that help you feel good and look great. There are four main types of tea: black, green, white and oolong. All four varieties are harvested from the camellia sinensis plant. Herbal teas are not considered true tea because they do not come from the camellia sinensis plant. The best teas for health are lemon verbena, jasmine, hibiscus and rooibos.
Lemon Verbena Tea
Sometimes, verbena tea has been called “the weight loss tea.” In fact, studies have shown that the polyphenols in this plant can decrease fatty acids. Researchers have also suggested that lemon verbena extracts may help reduce inflammatory markers in the blood of some people with multiple sclerosis.
Jasmine Tea
The smell of jasmine tea alone is soothing, calming and able to help regulate your mood. This tea has been linked with improved physical well-being. It has also been known to reduce the impact of stress.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea has a sourer brew and has been associated with cardiovascular benefits, which help regulate systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Studies have suggested that extracts from the hibiscus calyx and hibiscus leaves have antioxidant and antitumoral effects. According to a 2015 study, the polyphenols in hibiscus leaves may help to induce tumor cell death in skin cancer.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea, or “redbush tea,” is native to South Africa and prepared from the Aspalathus linearis plant. The tea contains no caffeine, so it is safe to drink well into the evening. Antioxidants in rooibos tea can protect the liver from oxidative stress and help this organ become more resilient to induced damage.
In addition, rooibos has also been reported to help lower blood pressure and relax tense muscles.
Also Beneficial: Oolong Tea
Our speaker at The Atriums Par-Tea virtual event will cover oolong tea, which is brimming with health benefits for seniors. Its taste is somewhat different than the traditional green teas or black tea.
Grown and processed in China and Taiwan, the leaves of oolong are packed with caffeine and catechin – antioxidants that fight free radicals. Oolong is also used for medicinal purposes because of its healing properties. The health bonuses include the reduction of chronic health problems such as inflammatory disorders, heart disease and high cholesterol levels. It also promotes healthy skin, good dental health and superior bones.
Get Steeped in Knowledge About These Flavorful Teas from Asia:
You can kick back and relax at home with your own cup of tea while you attend The Atriums’ online tea event. Here are the teas Paula will dive into during her September 10 travelogue:
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Dragon Pearl Jasmine
A masterpiece green tea from Fuan in the northern Fujian Province, China. The tea leaves are laid out to wither, while piling on fresh jasmine flowers nightly for 5 to 7 days before processing.
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Formosa Oolong
Developed by a British entrepreneur named John Dodd in the mid-19th century. A highly oxidized tea to 75%, much darker than most oolongs. Consists of dark brown leaves and stems.
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Ceylon and India
Also known as Orange Pekoe, this is made of strong Assamese and smooth Ceylon tea leaves. A classic British Legacy Tea (BLT) that combines strong teas from the British Colonies. Consists of small, medium brown, broken up tea leaves.
Peace in A Cup of Tea
Tea is easy to make and affordable. During these times, it’s especially convenient to buy it online. It’s best to stick to tea leaves and not bottled tea. Bottled tea may have excessive amounts of sugar added to it. If you don’t regularly drink tea, you might consider steeping soon so you can reap the multiple health benefits it offers.
Remember to RSVP for our virtual tea event by September 1. Call Diane at 913-278-2120. In the meantime, as Paula says, “while there is tea, there is hope.”