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With tea and coffee being such a central part of our culture and lifestyle, it’s not surprising they’re a regular topic of conversation with Clients, particularly how they’re NOT a substitute for water (!). This then quickly leads on to what hot drinks would make a good – or, at least, acceptable (!) – alternative to help them cut down their daily tea / coffee / caffeine intake. 
 
While herb teas are the obvious choice, with a much greater range available in supermarkets than ever before, it can require quite a bit of trial and error to find one(s) that people like. The comment we hear most often is that they’re not very appetising, so people often give up before finding any they actually like... 
 
It doesn’t help that most herb teas available off the shelf tend to be in tea bags, with the contents being finely chopped to ensure they “brew” quickly. Unfortunately, this also affects their taste, with their natural delicate flavour being replaced by a much stronger one that can be far less appetising. 
 
Making the “tea” using the whole dried herb – in a tea “sock” or teapot with strainer – makes for a much better end result, as does using a sprig of the fresh herb to make a tisane. While both of these provide a much more appetising “tea”, a certain amount of forward thinking / planning is needed, particularly in the winter. So, again, many people are put off by this. 
 
Another option is green tea, which gives the best of both worlds. Not only does it contain caffeine – although in much smaller amounts than regular tea or coffee – it also has many of the benefits of herb teas, particularly its high content of phytonutrients and antioxidants. 
 
However, once again, many people are put off by tea bags, which tend to produce a very strong and tannin tasting green tea. By contrast, loose green tea or green tea “pearls”, provide a completely different, more delicate tasting drink. Both can be made in a mug – or teapot with strainer – and the water topped up several times before fresh leaves are needed. Another very simple way to enjoy it while you’re out and about is to use a thermos which, again, can easily be topped up with water. The other tip for best taste is to allow the kettle to cool slightly after boiling, as newly boiled water can lead to a slight tannin taste. 
 
Besides helping reduce your caffeine intake, herb and green teas provide a wide range of phytonutrients and antioxidants with each having a slightly different profile and effects. While berry based teas tend to be down more to personal taste preferences, herb teas have very different profiles. 
 
Here are a couple of examples you may well have already come across. Chamomile tea contains Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc as well as Vitamins A, C and E. It’s well known for soothing the Nervous and Digestive Systems, as well as helping promote restful sleep. Mint tea also contains Vitamins A and C as well as Magnesium and Potassium. It’s best known for helping digestion and for aiding concentration. So, can be drunk after meals and early in the day to give a gentle boost. 
 
Which brings us back to green tea. As already mentioned, not only is it much lower in caffeine than regular black tea, it’s also higher in antioxidants. This is due to it being gently heated or steamed immediately after picking, which stops the natural oxidisation process that starts as soon as any plant material is cut. It’s the reason why green tea is, well, green. 
 
As a quick aside, oxidisation is the reason why apples – as well as other fruits and vegetables – start to go brown as soon as they’re cut. Not only does this make them less appetising, but also starts to destroy many of the nutrients, particularly antioxidants. 
 
By contrast, black tea is allowed to fully dry after picking, so oxidises completely, hence it being black. 
 
The end result is that green tea is much higher in antioxidants and other phytonutrients than black tea. These include Vitamins B, C, E and K as well as Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium and Manganese as well as being lower in caffeine (!). 
 
In recent years research into green tea has found a wide range of health benefits including helping stabilise blood sugar, reducing cholesterol levels and boosting brain function while helping protect it against ageing. 
 
So, once again, there are many more options than first appears and is really just a case of a little experimentation to see which tastes you prefer – and at which times of day. Not only is it an easy way to cut down your caffeine intake, but means you’ll really appreciate – and enjoy – a regular tea or coffee when you do have it. Making it something to savour rather than gulping it down as you go about your day. 
 
As always, the choice is yours. 
 
 
Tagged as: Diet, Health, Lifestyle
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