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Diet

How tea can improve your health

There are hundreds of different kinds of tea and most offer an abundance of healing properties that are powerful enough to make a difference in your health.

How tea can improve your health Getty Images

It seems like tea is more popular now than ever, but it's been around for centuries – it has deep roots on many levels, but what it comes down to is that there is a tea for everyone! Teas come in many different varieties and flavours, and they offer an abundance of healing properties that are powerful enough to make a difference in our everyday lives.

Chai tea, green tea, rooibos tea, white tea and herbal tea (called tisanes, like mint and chamomile) all possess healing properties and deep-rooted cultural meaning. Any of these teas can be enjoyed on their own, simply steeped with water, or blended together into unique combinations that can promote liveliness, healthy digestion or just relaxation after a meal.

How different teas can improve your health

Green tea: Green tea contains polyphenols that are known to protect from heart disease and cancer. Green tea can also help to boost metabolism and increase energy. It tastes great hot or cold, or made as a latte with rice or almond milk.

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Rooibos tea: This is a red tea from the red bush plant in South Africa. It is loaded with antioxidants and it's also caffeine free. Rooibos makes a great base for fragrant chai tea or a fruity herbal iced tea (see recipe below).White tea: White tea is very mild in flavour and lightly caffeinated. White tea also possesses an array of antioxidants from its silvery white and unfermented leaves. It makes a great afternoon tea to enjoy with a snack, or try it first thing in the morning.Herbal tea: Herbal teas are not actually tea, but herbs containing medicinal properties. Infuse a teaspoon of fresh herbs like mint, ginger or tulsi in hot water, choosing one that works for your desired effect, whether that's digestion, refreshment or relaxation.

Adding daily a cup of tea (or two) into your life can make every meal a gourmet experience. There is hardly a café, restaurant or city block where you can't stop for a mug of tea — but once you've had the opportunity to buy and steep your own loose-leaf teas, or to make your own tea blends at home, there is no turning back. There is absolutely a difference between tea that comes in a bleached white tea bag (with a staple), versus something you can buy fresh, loose and organic. The taste is pure and it goes right through your body to each and every cell. When you find a tea that blends with your values and taste buds, I promise you too will become part of this growing culture — if you aren’t already!

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Chilled red berry breeze (using Nourishtea’s Red Rooibos and Berry Breeze teas)

This blended tea is naturally sweetened with the dried fruit from the berries, and it is loaded with antioxidants from the rooibos tea. It's better than any fruit punch — healing, nourishing and refreshing!

Ingredients: 1 tsp Red Rooibos tea 1 1/2 tsp Berry Breeze tea 2 cups water 1 wedge of lemon Directions: 1. Place fresh tea leaves and hot water in a steeping kettle/jug or cup — allow water to infuse.

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2. Pour infused red water into another glass or tall jug and place in fridge for two hours.

3. Pour into a glass and enjoy with a wedge of lemon!

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Marni Wasserman is a culinary nutritionist in Toronto whose philosophy is stemmed around whole foods. She is dedicated to providing balanced lifestyle choices through natural foods. Using passion and experience, she strives to educate individuals on how everyday eating can be simple and delicious.

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