Jasmine Tea Benefits
The health benefits of jasmine tea include a reduced risk of heart attack, stronger immune system, and prevention of diabetes. It prevents cancer, improves the digestive process, and lowers cholesterol levels. It has also been found to eliminate harmful bacteria and ease chronic inflammation.
Jasmine tea is not considered an “herbal tea” because it is actually a normal tea (green, white, black, or oolong) that is flavored with jasmine flowers to create the unique scent and taste.
China has a long and famed history with tea, and jasmine is one of the most popular types to emerge from this ancient nation. Jasmine tea first appeared in official records during the Song Dynasty, which ended in the 13th Century A.D., but at that time, it was mainly reserved for royalty. It may have originally come from Persia, through India, along with the cultural exportation of Buddhism to China.
This tea can be made in a number of ways, of varying strengths and grades. Some are made as loose-leaf teas, while others are cut up and put into tea bags. Some are rolled or bound in different shapes, like the very common “jasmine pearl”, usually composed of two tea buds and one tea leaf.
All the types, regardless of shape, need to be scented before becoming “jasmine tea”. There are a number of methods to do this; from very simple physical mixtures to complex air filtering and aroma mixing for a pure, light taste. The creation of delicious and effective jasmine tea truly is an art in itself. Jasmine tea extract can also be added to drinks in order to gain the benefits of jasmine tea, without having to brew the tea.
One reason why jasmine tea is so popular is due to its benefits to overall health, which come from the nutritional elements in the organic tea buds themselves. It is a wonderful means of adding uncommon antioxidants to your system like catechins and epicatechins, which can have a wide range of beneficial effects on your body.
Jasmine Tea Health Benefits
Along with the unique aroma and taste, jasmine tea has many beneficial qualities that help to reduce stress and heart attack and improve the digestive system. Let’s take a look at them in detail.
Relieves Stress
The olfactory system is often something we overlook, but it can be a very powerful sense, and studies have shown that the odor of jasmine can be very beneficial to certain test subjects. Those test subjects who have a natural predilection for the smell of jasmine have a parasympathetic response to the odor and their body releases chemicals that allow them to naturally relax or improve their mood. However, the smell of jasmine is what some call “an acquired taste”, and some of the studies have shown that people who don’t enjoy the smell of jasmine can actually become anxious if exposed to it in high intensities.
Reduces Pain
One of the positive effects of jasmine tea is the reduction in chronic discomfort associated with joint pain and arthritis. The anti-inflammatory nature of certain organic elements in jasmine tea can reduce swelling and inflammation of joints by inhibiting unwanted cellular oxygenation.
Controls Diabetes
In the fight against diabetes, jasmine tea has shown itself to be a valuable tool. The ability to metabolize glucose is the fundamental mechanism that causes diabetic conditions. Drinking jasmine/green tea can reverse the negative effects that diabetes has on certain serum proteins, working as a regulator for those with diabetes, and as a preventive measure for those not diagnosed but still consuming it as a regular part of their health regimen.
Antioxidant Properties
Perhaps the most praised aspect of jasmine tea is the high level of antioxidants in this delicate and delicious beverage. The most notable antioxidants found in jasmine tea are catechins. Green tea is the most commonly used base flavor for jasmine tea, but depending on which type of tea is used as a base, different antioxidant properties can be accessed. For example, black tea has high levels of theaflavins, while green tea has high levels of catechins.
Antioxidants work within the body to detect and destroy harmful agents or free radicals that can cause diseases and compromise the immune system. Catechins, as mentioned above, are the antioxidants most jasmine tea users are seeking, since they have been shown to be integral in preventing certain serious diseases in the body.
Prevents Gastrointestinal Disorders
Adding jasmine tea to your normal diet can improve your chances of having a healthy stomach, better digestion, and prevention of gastrointestinal forms of cancer. Catechins present in jasmine tea have positive effects on multiple areas of health, including the gastrointestinal system. They activate a number of intracellular antioxidants and interact well with the gastrointestinal enzymes to promote healthy bowel function.
Antibacterial Properties
Jasmine tea, which is occasionally formed by simply adding jasmine essential oil to tea buds, can provide a defense against bacterial infections, making jasmine tea an unexpected antibiotic that you can safely add to your diet. Studies have shown that the properties of jasmine oil can eliminate the effects of E. coli in certain test subjects, which can be a very dangerous bacterium commonly found in poorly preserved foods or unsanitary cooking conditions. It may also provide relief from a cough, cold, and throat infections.
Protects Heart Health
For those with a personal or family history of cardiovascular issues, jasmine tea can be a huge help in preventing further problems. The catechins found in jasmine tea are a key factor in inhibiting LDL-oxidation, which is when “bad” cholesterol in your arteries gets inflamed after being oxidized. This inflammation of veins and arteries can lead to heart attack or stroke. The catechins found in jasmine tea inhibit this oxidizing process, so blood pressure and cholesterol levels decrease, and long-term threats like heart diseases can be prevented.
Boosts Immune System
Many forms of cancer and carcinogenic diseases can have an immunosuppressive effect, meaning that the body’s overall immune system is compromised, making the body vulnerable to pathogens that complicate the treatment of cancer. It has been shown to protect the immune system due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The immune system is the first line of defense against all types of illnesses, so bolstering it can benefit the body in countless ways.
