Detox Afternoon Tea
For many 3pm hits and you find yourself yawning and reaching for the closest sugar hit, only to immediately regret it. This antioxidant rich blend can offer you a much needed pick me up while nourishing you at the same time. The combination of vanilla, strawberry and the slightly sweet honey-bush will satisfy your sweet tooth every time. Try making your 3pm tea break into a bit of a ritual, brew your tea and then take a 10-15 minute break and really enjoy it. Taking the time to step away from your work, your computer, or the phone that doesn't stop ringing, can help you to clear your mind and recharge.
The body is constantly exposed to damage causing molecules called free radicals. These molecules are missing an atom, and this causes them to be unstable within the body, resulting in the damage and inflammation of cells and tissues. Free radical damage, also known as oxidative damage is one of the leading causes of ageing, wrinkles, loss of vision, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. There are many different types of antioxidants and they can be found in many different foods, and tea is a particularly rich source. Pu’erh, black and Rooibos tea all contain powerful flavonoids — a type of antioxidant. Flavonoids have the ability to ‘buddy up’ with, or scavenge the free radicles, reducing the amount of damage they are able to do. The antioxidants present in tea are very bioavailable, meaning that they are easily absorbed and utilised by the body, antioxidant supplements are usually less effective than natural sources such as tea, and other plant foods.
Anti-ageing is most definitely an inside job, and drinking delicious tea is such an easy way to support this.
An interesting property of Pu’erh tea (the main type of tea in Detox Afternoon), is that the fermentation process produces a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA has been linked to relaxation, mood improvement, and a reduction in anxiety. Studies show that as little as two cups per day of Pu’erh tea is able to provide enough GABA to have a measurable increase in blood GABA levels and anxiety.
Black tea is a favourite of many, yet is doesn't often get the same attention as green or Pu’erh tea. Black tea is just as rich in antioxidants as the other kinds of tea, and supports the reduction of free radicals just the same. Several studies have found that the polyphenols in the tea have a positive effect on the risk of breast and colon cancer, and dramatically reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
While tea contains less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee, if you are sensitive to caffeine we suggest that you enjoy this tea before 2 pm in the afternoon to ensure that it does not disrupt your ability to sleep restoratively.
Words on Wellness by Jessica Gilijam-Brown
New Zealand based Holistic Nutritionist (BSc) @wellnessbyjessica
