Boost Your Winter Health with Two Immune-Boosting Teas

Two Teas to Drink in Winter for Virus Prevention

　　Black Tea

　　1. Keep Warm and Protect Stomach

　　During the dry winter weather, our bodies are susceptible to cold and dampness, which can make our stomach uncomfortable. Black tea is smooth and gentle, nourishing the body's yang energy and enhancing its ability to resist the cold. It also has the effect of warming and protecting the stomach. For those who often have cold hands and feet or digestive discomfort in winter, a cup of black tea might be a good choice.

 

　　2. Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases and Protect the Health of the Elderly

　　Winter is the peak season for heart disease and stroke. Due to factors such as temperature, the cardiovascular system's ability to function is weakened in winter, especially for the elderly, who are more prone to cardiovascular diseases.

　　A study conducted by the medical community in the United States found that heart disease patients who drink four cups of black tea a day can increase their blood vessel dilation from 6% to 10%. After brewing, 70% of the potassium in black tea can dissolve in the tea, which enhances the circulation of blood in the heart. In addition, black tea contains a large amount of polyphenols such as theaflavins and thearubigins, which have lipid oxidation effects and can inhibit lipid peroxidation in blood vessels and platelet aggregation. This helps prevent coronary heart disease and stroke and reduce the risk of heart attacks. In the cold winter, the elderly can drink more black tea to withstand the cold and prevent diseases.

　　3. Antibacterial and Antiviral, Prevent Influenza

　　When the temperature drops, our bodies are more prone to catching a cold. The flu is the most common illness during winter, and it's easy to get infected with the flu virus if we're not careful. Black tea is a good choice for resisting the flu virus.

　　The theaflavins in black tea have the ability to kill foodborne bacteria and render the flu virus inactive. Japanese researchers have demonstrated through experiments that the flu virus can be rendered inactive even when black tea is diluted to less than five times its normal concentration. Gargling with black tea every day can prevent colds and the flu. Those who are prone to catching colds in winter may want to try this method.

　　Black Tea

　　1. Cleanse the Stomach and Remove Oiliness

　　In winter, people tend to be less active and enjoy eating meat, which can lead to fat accumulation in the body and burden the stomach, causing weight gain and digestive discomfort.

　　Black tea is known as the "cleaner of the body". The caffeine, vitamins, amino acids, and phospholipids in black tea help with digestion and have a significant effect in inhibiting the increase of abdominal fat. It not only prevents fat accumulation and removes oiliness, but also cleanses the intestines, keeping the digestive system smooth. People who are prone to gaining weight can benefit from a cup of black tea.

　　2. Remove Toxins from Alcohol and Smoking

　　As the end of the year approaches, there are more social gatherings and people tend to drink and smoke more, resulting in an increase in the toxins in our bodies.

　　The caffeine in black tea stimulates the bladder, promoting diuresis and relieving the effects of alcohol. Additionally, the tea polyphenols in black tea have strong adsorption capabilities and can remove free radicals from cigarette smoke, reducing the harm caused by smoking. People who frequently drink and smoke can drink more black tea.

　　3. Skincare and Beauty

　　In winter, melanin in our bodies tends to accumulate, resulting in dull and lackluster skin. Black tea contains a large amount of trace elements such as zinc, manganese, and copper, which have whitening and antioxidant effects. Moreover, the catechins, theaflavins, theanine, polysaccharides, and other complex flavonoids in black tea have the ability to remove free radicals, providing antioxidant effects and delaying cellular aging. This makes black tea a natural skincare product that should not be forgotten by beauty-conscious women!