Tea had been a popular commodity during ancient times. To date, it is the beverage of choice of many Asians, English, and even modern Americans–and for good reasons too!
Besides its flavorful and soothing taste, a cup of tea every day brings numerous health benefits to seniors. Different kinds of teas give varying nutrients to the body. Some of the most common vitamins and minerals jam-packed into your tea include:
- Calcium, zinc, potassium, and manganese
- Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and B12
- Folate and niacin
- Antioxidants
In fact, health experts named one of its variants–green tea–as one of the world’s healthiest beverages. Next in line are your resident true teas like black, white, and oolong teas. Herbal tea infusions like chamomile, peppermint, and lemon tea, also have plenty of nutrients to offer seniors.
So, start brewing your own batch of healthy teas to reap its endless benefits! Just remember that these real teas are different from the widely popular boba tea of Millennials.
To give you an idea, here are six health benefits that you and your senior friends can get by drinking tea regularly.
1. Tea Improves Brain Function
Every senior’s primary concern when they start approaching their golden years is their brain health. Both seniors who live independently or in assisted living homes want to retain or, better yet, improve their brain’s cognitive function. One of the best ways to do this? Drinking a cup of healthy tea every day.
Plenty of research proved that tea improves brain health and reduces its decline by 50%. Over time, avid senior tea drinkers were seen to have more organized and connected brain cells. Thus, improving its overall function. Some specific benefits of tea to your brain include:
- It keeps you alert and increases your reaction time without causing you to be jittery like coffee.
- It boosts your memory and learning capacity.
- It reduces anxiety levels.
- It slows down brain aging.
- It protects it from neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease.
2. It Burns Excess Fat and Calories
Both real and herbal teas contain many bioactive substances called flavonoids. This compound increases your digestive metabolism, allowing your body to burn excess fats rapidly, twice its normal speed.
Further, its healthy caffeine content helps your system burn off extra calories that would have settled right in your belly. Pair your tea with a good diet and workout routine, and you will achieve a better physique and weight than can rival those in their 40s.
3. It Lowers Your Risk of Developing Cancer
Today, cancer causes most of the deaths among seniors aged 65 and above. Its incurable nature makes it a chronic condition feared by many older adults. But not if you are a fan of green tea.
According to several research studies, green tea is one of the best sources of powerful antioxidants and flavonoids that prevents cancer cells from developing.
These cancer fighters in your cup of tea protect the brain from toxin damages and inflammation. Thus, preventing brain cells from getting injured and developing cancer cells or small tumors.
Research had already proved the anti-cancer properties of green tea against breast, prostate, and colon cancer.
4. It Prevents Other Lifestyle Diseases
Besides cancer, seniors are also vulnerable to other chronic lifestyle diseases, namely type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and arthritis. Here’s how your brewed tea protects you from these debilitating illnesses.
- Real tea sheds excess fats and bad cholesterol (LDL) in your body. Thus, reducing your risk of developing a fatty heart or atherosclerosis.
- Lowering your cholesterol levels also means that tea saves you from hypertension and above normal blood pressure.
- It helps decrease your blood sugar levels and keep them in their optimal state.
- Also, it increases the insulin sensitivity of your cells to absorb extra sugars in the blood and convert it to energy.
- Green tea, which contains fluoride, helps maintain bone density and strength. Thus preventing fall accidents and hip fractures.
- Green, black, and white teas contain polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory effects. This benefits those struggling with arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
You can have all these health benefits by drinking 2-3 cups of tea daily. You can drink it while eating your prepared meals in assisted living homes. Just make sure that it’s not one of those iced and pre-packed versions because those won’t do you any good.
5. Increases Energy Levels
Energy is in low supply once you reach your 60s. It can be due to weakened muscles and bones, underlying medical illness, or a reduced energy level.
So, instead of reaching for a cup of coffee, why not try an alternative that won’t make your heart palpitate and hands jittery?
Tea gives you a smooth energy boost and alertness, which is more amicable than coffee’s sudden kick and high. Tea also helps you stay focused and vigilant while keeping you in a relaxed state.
Further, it is a good source of energy for seniors battling an anxiety disorder. It will give you the right amount of boost without triggering a bout of anxiety attacks.
6. It Improves Oral Health
Oral health improvement is often neglected and pushed aside when a person reaches their retirement years. However, it should still take precedence because it’s as equally important as your heart and eye health.
One way to enhance dental health and hygiene is by brewing a teapot full of green tea. Green tea boosts oral health by:
- Protecting your gums from cavities that can cause tooth infection.
- Removes excess oral bacteria, which can cause several gum diseases.
- Removes and prevents bad breath.
Be careful not to put sugar, honey, or other sweeteners in your tea. This will put out the bacteria-killing properties of tea and cause cavities to multiply.
Conclusion
Anything that you put into your stomach impacts your health, including your choice of drink every day. Make your overall health a priority by monitoring your daily diet, even if caregivers in assisted living homes already do it for you.
It’s time to switch your coffee and shakes for a hot brewed herbal tea to start your journey towards a healthier life!