Tea, unlike coffee, contains protective substances

2000/08/01 Lorenzo, Arantza | Uranga, Ane Miren Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Dietetika/Elikagaiak

The origin of this stimulating drink is found in Southeast Asia. Large amounts of tea are currently consumed in the UK, Asia and the Arab countries and consequently in India, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Africa and Brazil there are numerous tea fields to prepare this infusion. However, the tea that is taken around the world is not the same everywhere: Although black tea is the most consumed in Europe, in Asia and Arab Africa they like green tea. The difference between them is that the green tea leaves are used identically, while in the case of black tea the tea leaves are subjected to a process of fermentation prior to their use.

Tea contains stimulating substances such as caffeine and theobromine, but its content is much lower than coffee. The difference is that the bar coffee contains 212 mg of caffeine for every 100 ml, while tea infusion contains 30-40 mg / 100 ml. As already mentioned in the title, unlike coffee, tea contains beneficial substances (green tea more than black tea, since in the second the fermentation process causes losses in the components), the most important are phenolic tannins. These have intestinal drying capacity and other benefits for the digestive system. Also take into account the vitamins of flabonoid, B2 and folic acid that provides tea. In addition, its ability to protect against heart disease has been proven, since it has the ability to reduce the concentration of cholesterol and other fats in the blood.

All of these beneficial substances mentioned above require that the tea bag remain in water for at least five minutes; if coated it is much better because they need time to dissolve in water.

So let's enjoy the tea infusions, as always in size (maximum a couple of cups a day). Optionally on the market we also have sweet tea with peach flavor without incentives, strawberries, etc.