June 10 marks National Iced Tea Day. A chilled cup of this refreshing beverage can also provide your body with a variety of health benefits and minerals and vitamins.
Keeps you hydrated
One of the most important things to do during the summer season is to keep your body hydrated at all times. The summer season leads to more water loss from the body in the form of sweat. If the body gets dehydrated, you may get sick. Drinking fluids and water, and eating foods that are high in water content can help. Iced tea can be one of the beverages to include in your diet for hydration, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Full of antioxidants
Tea is known to be filled with antioxidants. Whether consumed hot or cold, tea contains a lot of antioxidants that help the body in fighting diseases, infections, ageing and other health problems. Antioxidants are considered very important for the body, and according to WebMD, tea contains about ten times more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables.
Controls stress
According to a study, people who drank tea regularly showed lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, after a stressful event, or a trigger of stress, compared to people who did not. Stress is responsible for a lot of health issues and problems and has been linked to heart ailments, kidney issues, and mental health issues.
Makes your bones and teeth stronger
Iced tea contains manganese which is a great mineral to incorporate in your diet. A mineral that helps in improving metabolism also strengthens teeth and bones. Also, tea, unlike aerated beverages does not harm the enamel of the teeth, making them weak and more prone to tooth problems.
Prevents and fights cancer
A study published in the February 2015 issue of the Journal of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research found that the main antioxidant in Green Tea, epigallocatechin -3-gallate (EGCG) helps kill cancer cells through the destruction of the cells’ mitochondria. Consumption of tea is also linked to a lower risk of skin cancer, and the antioxidants present in tea may also reduce the risk of digestive or intestine cancer.
