Composition of Tea

Tea is composed of many nutrients which are claimed to have extremely strong health benefits.

Anti-oxidants

One cause of cancer results from damage being done to healthy humancells. They are damaged by harmful agents in the form of active oxygen – knownmore commonly as ‘free-radical oxygen’. These free-radicals join with healthy cells and oxidise them, destroyingthe cell membranes and altering the DNA. The result is cancer.
So how is tea able to prevent this? Tea is very high in antioxidants. Antioxidants latch onto the damagingfree-radicals, steering them away from healthy cells and out through the body.

Caffeine

Caffeine can stimulate the metabolism, improve brain function andincrease alertness. Research also showsthat the presence of a compound- theophylline- complements caffeine bystimulating the respiratory system.

Caffeine levels in tea are much lower than what is found in coffee,making it more suitable to drink throughout the day. In fact, white tea contains nearly the samelevels of caffeine as decaffeinated coffee – about 5mg, whereas white tea hasabout 8mg. Ground coffee has around 150mg per cup.

Minerals

Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic nutrients. Tea contains:

Fluoride–important for strengthening tooth enamel, making it moreresistant to tooth decay. Tea is a verypotent source of fluoride.

Magnesium –essential for the heart and liver, good nerve and musclefunction, balanced metabolism and strong bones. It assists in the production and repair of cells and is necessary forcalcium absorption and B1 and B6 metabolism.

Potassium–found in every cell in the body and helps to regulate fluidand alkaline/acid balance. It plays an important role in regulating heartrhythm, transporting oxygen to the brain, nerve transmission, metabolism,enzyme production, excretion and the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels.

Zinc -aids tissue repair and wound healing and isnecessary for healthy immune and reproductive systems, liver function and senseof smell and taste. It plays an important role in enzyme and insulin formationand activity, and in the metabolism of vitamin A and essential fats. It is essential for healthy skin, bones andteeth and also for normal development of the brain, nervous system and bonesduring pregnancy.

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that function as regulators within thebody. Classified as water soluble or fat soluble, vitamins cannot be manufacturedby the body and must be obtained through diet or supplements. Tea contains:

A-promotes the development of healthy bones, skin and eyesight,particularly night vision and it strengthens the immune system, increasingresistance to infection.

B1-essential for carbohydrate metabolism, energy release and for keepinga healthy heart, brain and nervous system.

B2-needed for normal growth and development, encourages the release ofenergy from food and maintains the health of mucus membranes. It is also neededfor healthy skin, eyes, nervous system and plays a role in fertility.

B6- essential for healthyred blood cells, metabolism, digestion and nervous system.

B12- contributes towards healthy nervous and cardiovascular systems, helpsthe formation of red blood cells and bone marrow, production of geneticmaterial and metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

C- important for healthy bloodvessels, muscles, gums, bones and teeth. It's a powerful antioxidant and helpsthe body to fight infection because of its antiviral, antibacterial andimmune-boosting effects. Helps wound healing and is involved in collagenproduction for healthy skin, the metabolism of cholesterol and the absorption ofiron.

E- essential for healthy heartfunction, circulation and functioning of the sexual organs. It also strengthensimmune function, is antioxidant and protects cells from free radicals(oxidising substances that damage and kill off healthy cells). Helps heal skinand scar tissue, reduces inflammation.

K- regulates blood clotting. Istaken in through food and also produced by bacteria in the small intestine.

Amino-acids

Amino acids are the building blocks that make up protein.Vitamins and minerals can't perform their specific functions effectively ifamino acids aren't present. Theanine is a non-protein amino acid mainly found naturally in thetea plant (Camellia sinensis). Theanine is a derivative of L-glutamicacid (glutamate) and is considered to be largely responsible forflavour. It constitutes between 1% and 2%.of the dry weight of greentea leaves.

Theanine can create a feeling of relaxation due to its role on theGABA functioning of the brain. It is also theorized that the GABAbinding properties of theanine reduce the caffeine buzz delivered inblack tea verses that of coffee.

Theobromine

Theobromine belongs to a class of alkaloid molecules known asmethylxanthines. Methylxanthines naturally occur in as many as sixtydifferent plant species and include caffeine (the primarymethlyxanthine in coffee) and theophylline (the primary methylxanthinein tea). Theobromine affects humans similarly to caffeine, but on amuch smaller scale. Theobromine is mildly diuretic (increases urineproduction), is a mild stimulant, and relaxes the smooth muscles of thebronchi in the lungs. In the human body, theobromine levels are halvedbetween 6-10 hours after consumption.

Theopylline

A colourless crystalline alkaloid. It is used in medicine as a bronchial dilator.

Found in very small amounts in tea. It has a stronger affect onthe heart and breathing than caffeine. It is a cardiac stimulant,smooth muscle relaxant, diuretic and vasodilator.