Benefits of Drinking Hot Tea

What is Hot Tea?

Hot tea is a beverage that comes in multiple varieties and flavours. What makes it healthy are antioxidants that keep you safe from several diseases and promote good mental health. Although it has multiple benefits, you should be careful when preparing and drinking hot tea. Let it cool to 140°F (60°C) or below before serving to reduce the risk of burns and cancers. The article below gives you a detailed review of hot tea’s pros, cons, and uses. 

Chemical properties of hot tea

Tea leaves contain multiple chemical compounds. As the tea leaves are processed, their chemical compounds break down, making new compounds. When steeping tea leaves, some rise from the tea.

Polyphenols are from amino acids, and there are several categories within polyphenols. Flavonoids have many health claims surrounding tea because they contain antioxidants. Amino acids give tea sweetness (teavivre.com), and tea leaves contain amino acids, with theanine bringing a feeling of relaxation to your body.

Nutritional Facts Hot tea

Tea contains disease-preventing nutrients in calories or macronutrients. It also contains antioxidants and health-promoting compounds. For health benefits, try unsweetened, green, and black teas. They help prevent some cancers. Drinking 1 cup per day of green tea is associated with decreased risk of cancer.

It also reduces the risk of heart disease. Try two cups of hot tea daily to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Three cups of green tea per day may reduce the risk of cardiac death (healthline.com). Hot tea also lowers blood pressure. What is needed is regular consumption for noticeable change.

To reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, drink 4 cups of tea per day. That also prevents obesity. Hot tea lowers body fat due to polyphenols and may help boost metabolism.

Benefits of hot tea

Hot Tea enhances your eye health due to the antioxidants in green and white teas. It improves your eye health by preventing eye-related complications. It can be cataracts or glaucoma. A hot cup matters. 

The chances of getting a stroke become minimal when taking hot tea. Drink at least three cups of green or black tea each day so that you have a 21% reduction in your risk of stroke. Green and black tea contain catechins, a chemical compound with stroke-reducing effects on the vascular system (nih.gov).

If you intend to sharpen your memory, regularise hot tea. It boosts cognitive working memory. Hot tea also prevents tooth decay. A cup of black tea daily can reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease and plaque and bacteria from forming on teeth and gums, improving your digestion.

Amongst hot teas are chamomile, mint, rosemary, and lavender, which improve your digestive health. The brews and blends contain herbs that can be a treatment for gas, indigestion, constipation, and digestive symptoms.

If you intend to reduce your blood pressure, try hot tea. Tea is a natural way to reduce your blood pressure due to the plant-based antioxidants, and flavonoids. Only a half-cup of antioxidant-rich green can reduce high blood pressure risk.

Hot tea strengthens your immune system, protecting you from the cold, flu, and other illnesses. Take the tea, as part of your everyday routine for effective results. To reduce stress and anxiety, drink hot tea. It has a natural calming effect. Relaxation combined with a cup of hot tea fights against stress and anxiety. Try caffeine-free herbal teas, such as peppermint and passion flower.

Potential downsides

When the tea is too hot, you have an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is cancer that occurs in the oesophagus (mayoclinic.org). People who smoke and drink alcohol are at risk. When the tea is too hot, it is hotter than 140–149°F. 

Anything higher than that blanch the cells that line the oesophagus, exposing them to damage from cancer-causing substances. When drunk at less than 149°F (65°C), expect some protective effect. What is better when drinking hot tea, if you drink hot tea, is to let it cool to below 140°F before drinking.

Hot tea can cause burns, which are likely to happen when you take the tea at 191–196°F. Make sure you do not spill it t avoid burns. Young children and older adults are at higher risk of burns. Be careful when preparing tea and serving. Keep drinking temperatures below 140°F (60°C

Tea contains caffeine which has positive and negative health effects, depending on the person and the amount. When taking excess tea, there is a need to reduce or avoid caffeine. If you are sensitive to caffeine, do not attempt to consume the tea. 

The same applies to people with liver disease, heart disease, pregnant or breastfeeding people, teenagers, and children. Failure of adults to limit caffeine intake can lead to negative effects such as restlessness, nervousness, gut disorders, muscle tremors, irritability, and changes in heart rhythm (medicalnewstoday.com).

The amount of caffeine in a cup of true tea depends on the type. These amounts also vary depending on the blend and brewing time (medicalnewstoday.com). To avoid caffeine, go for decaffeinated teas such as peppermint, chamomile, and ginger teas.

How to make hot tea

Choose between true tea or a herbal tea that you want. The temperature and time for brewing will vary depending on the tea blend you use. Black tea is prepared with almost-boiling water and brewed for 2–5 minutes, while white tea is best brewed at 158–167°F for 1–3 minutes.

Each tea has instructions on the best temperature and brewing time to use. Once the tea is brewed, pour it into a teacup or mug and let it cool. Do not leave the tea brewing too long, or it becomes bitter.

Use a cooking thermometer to double-check that it has cooled to at least 140°F (60°C). You can add milk and sugar if you want. Experiment with different blends and flavourings for a tasty tea. 

Steps

1. Start with cold water.
2. Place a tea bag in your favourite cup or mug.
3. Bring water to boil and pour over your tea bag, leaves, or spices.
4. Steep for a good 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Remove the tea bag and enjoy.

How many cups of hot tea can you drink?

You can drink 3–4 cups of hot tea daily without experiencing negative effects, but some may experience side effects. These side effects are associated with caffeine and tannin content. 

FAQs

Is drinking hot tea good for you?

Yes, but with caution. Drinking hot fluids help reduce shivering in cold weather. You can still have your hot tea in summer, causing body temperature to rise. It makes you feel hotter in the summer heat. Excess tea may cause dehydration, leading to health issues during summers. 

Is hot tea good for weight loss?

Yes, especially teas with a type of flavonoid called catechins. These boost metabolism and help your body break down fats more quickly. Since most teas are rich in caffeine, they increase energy use, causing your body to burn more calories. That is how weight loss occurs.