Collegiate Times

The surge in popularity of tea has inspired beverage companies like Snapple and Lipton to produce their own bottled versions. While their labels may boast health claims and commercials sing their praises, bottled teas are the worst source of the catechins and other antioxidants found in brewed tea. Also, bottled teas are made with high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners that may add unwanted calories. Brewed tea is by far the healthiest source of tea, as it contains the antioxidant polyphenols in much higher concentrations than bottled tea.

"The health benefits you receive from tea depend on the strength and type of tea brewed," said Kathy Hosig, MPH, R.D. associate professor, HNFE.

Less processed teas are typically healthier and those that have been allowed to steep longer usually release more catechins into the tea, creating a stronger brew.

While brewed tea might be a better alternative to bottled teas, tea bags are usually filled with "fannings," small bits of tea leaves whose essential oils and chemicals are likely to evaporate since the leaves have been broken apart. These leaves are also confined to the small space of the tea bag and aren't allowed to completely unfurl and release the maximum amount of healthful properties. Although more expensive and harder to find, the healthiest kind of brewed tea comes from whole, loose leaf teas. These are usually high quality grades of tea and contain more of the compounds that are associated with good health.

Although more research needs to be done to fully examine the health benefits of tea, it is safe to say that a cup of tea a day will do the body good. Tea is generally considered safe, but because it contains a moderate amount of caffeine, drinking high quantities may cause difficulty sleeping or frequent urination because of caffeine's diuretic and stimulant properties. Otherwise, tea is an excellent addition to a healthy lifestyle and its disease-fighting characteristics are becoming increasingly popular. Deet's Place on the Virginia Tech campus is supporting the increased demand for this healthy beverage. Deet's sells green, black, white, oolong and several herbal teas and offers several decaffeinated options.

"Tea sales used to be a very small part of our operations, but after increasing our tea selection from eight to 30 different varieties, our tea sales have tripled," said Don Harvey, manager of Deet's Place. While not all teas are created equal, drinking teas on a regular basis may be the extra boost you need to stay healthy during the rest of the semester, and a habit that may help you maintain a long-term healthy lifestyle.

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