If you’re a Star Trek enthusiast, you know that Captain Picard’s favorite tea is earl grey! But why? Is it because of its health benefits or because it helped him think clearer, or perhaps he simply liked the taste! Jean-Luc Picard never made hasty decisions, so let’s take a look and see why he always ‘Made is so’ for earl grey tea!
Earl Grey Overview
Earl Grey tea comes from a plant called Camellia sinensis, which is grown mostly in Aisa, specifically in the countries of China, India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Japan. The plant’s leaves are naturally green, but through a process called oxidation, which is the state at which atoms lose electrons, the leaves turn color from green to black and it is from these blackish leaves that Earl Grey tea is made. The tea has a powerful taste that is much stronger than other black teas and with that said, let’s look at what the benefits are when drinking Earl Grey.
- It is believed to help relieve stress and anxiety.
- It’s been shown to have positive effects on the respiratory system.
- It’s been shown to have health benefits for those suffering from cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
- It contains less caffeine than other types of tea due to its lower level of oxidation.
- It’s said to have a positive effect on mental alertness and cognitive function – No doubt every starship captain would need that!
Stress and Anxiety
Most teas in general have been proven to reduce stress and that includes earl grey. In one study, people who drank this tea were found to experience less stress, compared to a group who didn’t drink it. Earl Grey tea contains some caffeine, but compared to other coffees or energy drinks, it has a lower caffeine content and a lower level of oxidation.
This means it can help keep your heart rate and blood pressure lower, leading to better overall health and less stress. And it doesn’t have that harsh taste that many black teas have. Earl Grey is traditionally a gentle, floral black tea that can soothe even the worst stress. Earl Grey can also improve your immune system by boosting your immunity and prevent allergies.
Respiratory System
The tea is an excellent choice for people who suffer from asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. Many people feel better after drinking a cup or two to three cups a day. A study conducted by researchers from McMaster University found that people who drank Earl Grey tea every day for three months had a lower risk of coronary heart disease and strokes than those who drank decaffeinated Earl Grey tea. It was also shown that this regular consumption of Earl Grey tea was associated with a lessened risk of mortality from all causes during the study period.
It has been found that this tea contains a significant amount of antioxidant properties that reduce the risk of cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
According to research published in The Journal of Nutrition, Earl Grey tea has a positive impact on people who have cardiovascular disease and diabetes and has even been shown to reduce their blood sugar levels. The tea has a low level of antioxidant activity, so many of the antioxidants contained in the tea are actually helping these people fight against heart disease and diabetes. More than any other type of tea, Earl Grey contains chlorogenic acid, which is thought to help with cardiovascular disease. It’s actually also shown to have a protective effect on the heart, as well as lower blood pressure.
Caffeine Content
If you don’t need the caffeine, Earl Grey can be enjoyed in a non-caffeinated version and this can provide a greater health benefit. It’s no wonder the beverage has become an iconic drink, and many a trendsetter has picked up on this delicious new health trend. While you should always be wary of overdoing any supplement or food, when drinking Earl Grey, the tea’s benefits are unquestionable. The key is to drink it in moderation and if you don’t need the caffeine, you can even try drinking a non-caffeinated version and reap all its health benefits. And if you’re a tea fan who’s been trying to add Earl Grey tea to your diet, and it doesn’t seem to be happening…well this is an easy solution.
Mental Alertness and Cognitive Function
Earl Grey tea helps improve cognitive function and may improve your attention span. Researchers say that drinking the tea before performing mentally challenging tasks can help increase focus. It also improves verbal skills, helping the user be more expressive. Additionally, it may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. This may be due to the sedative effects of the tea. It has been shown to reduce levels of cortisol and amylase, which can increase the risk of the Alzheimer’s illness. The black tea associated with Earl Grey is also known for its benefits to the heart and has been shown to help prevent heart disease.
How To Make Earl Grey Tea?
Before you drink this tea, warm it up first. Then, put it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Pour hot water in a cup and then steep your tea for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and then enjoy!
Conclusion
Because Earl Grey is not only a classic black tea, but a herbal tea that can be used to make delicious tea blends, and it’s a great source of antioxidants and if you become caption of a starship, you won’t want to do without it!