Wednesday TeaDay 11/04/09 Healthy beverage?

[Chip]

Greetings TeaFans. Welcome to TeaDay. I hope you will drop in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.

Yesterday we discussed whether we drink and enjoy tea that has gotten neglected and cold. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Please rate the personal importance currently of the so called health benefits of tea? Does it influence your consumption of tea one way or the other.

I am looking forward to sharing another TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up.

[Drax]

It might be important for me, but I like besides any health benefit. I do admit when I see vendors throwing around the weight-loss claims, I just roll my eyes.

Well, it's 5am, and I'm off to the gym and work! No time for tea. I'm going to have to bring in my tea thermos and at least enjoy some 'junk tea' at work... or make a very concerted effort to try some tea this evening right when I get home. *sigh*

[Herb_Master]

Tea has become an enjoyably interesting and flavourful hobby for me, but I have so many more: fine wines; unpasteurised appelation controlee cheese; single malt whisky - to name but a few.

It IS important to me to know that tea MAY have some health benefits, or at least fewer harmful effects. Thereby I rapidly return to tea as my everyday passion whenever I spend a few days on one of my other passions.

Though I did not return as rapidly as I should after my recent holiday to France, my suitcase was groaning with booty on my return particularly with liqueurs and pate.

[JBaymore]

I certainly think about it (and hope that it is accurate)..... but it is not the driving force in the decision to drink it.

best,

.................john

[clareandromeda]

I got into tea because of the taste.. but the fact that it is so good for you has encouraged the habit. If tea wasn't good for you, I would still drink it, but a lot less. I also have experienced some of the benefits. I really have lost weight due to my tea consumption and the "gyokuro magic" (theanine) that I have experienced. Sooo I would drink tea if it was bad for you, but I would drink a lot less of it!

[Jasmin]

Not really that important to me. I must admit that sometimes I start drinking a specific kind of tea because of the reported benefits but stop drinking it after a while if I don't like it.
I would drink just as much tea if it weren't said to be healthy.

[kymidwife]

I think it's not very significant in my decision to drink tea. I am self-indulgent enough that I'd drink it with or without purported health benefits, just because I like it. In fact, I came to tea through an unhealthy form called Southern sweet tea. I'm sure all that sugar significantly trumped any antioxidants I might have gotten in those Luzianne tea bags.

I will say that I am pleased I primarily now drink unsweetened tea, and rarely any sweet tea. Since I don't drink sodas, this certainly helps my overall calorie intake. I lost a few pounds when I made this change, and now stay stable at an acceptable weight. I enjoy the calming effects too, although some would argue whether this is truly a "health benefit". Maybe a separate poll about mental health is in order.

3rd tea in the Lochan tasting today... Korakundha FOP 2nd Flush 2009 Nilgiri. This is definitely my favorite so far. I am going to play with the parameters a bit as I think I can get more out of it with hotter temps, but so far I am really liking it very much.

Sarah

[Charlotte]

I marked important ,because if it was healthy like a soda, then I'd only be drinking it about twice a year. On the other hand, if it was neutral (or no health harm) I'd still be drinking it daily because I enjoy it. It being healthy doesn't increase my consumption, because I can't handle all of the caffiene. I'd much rather sleep at night.

I'm off to make some organic sencha this morning.

Have a wonderful teaday all!

[olivierco]

I just drink tea because I like it. I wouldn't drink it however if it was unhealthy.

Houjicha this afternoon.

[thirtysixbelow]

If tea provided absolutely no healthy benefits meaning no antioxidants or even hydration I probably wouldn't drink it as much. I love the taste, but the fact that it keeps me hydrated and I can drink a lot of it and maybe even benefit my health makes it very attractive. I also have a passion for beer, but it sort of has an aura of vice around it. This keeps me from drinking a lot of it even though I enjoy it very much. On the extreme end is smoking. I used to love having a cigarette after work, it was relaxing and enjoyable. I knew it was horrible for me and I gave it up completely. So, how things affect my health definitely get taken into consideration regardless of how much I enjoy said activity.

[brlarson]

Health is important for me but not paramount. Tea is gentler on the nerves and is more nutritious than coffee, that's what counts for me.

Upton's Yunnan Imperial is in my cup this morning. I am finishing a bag from last year. More Hibiki-an fukamushi later today.

[Chip]

I certainly am at least influenced by the so called health benefits of tea. I detest the marketing gurus who ram the propaganda down naive "listeners" who are looking for the next bandwagon to jump on. The newest is Snapple green tea sweetened with sugar versus the corn syrups, whatever. Still has 30 or more grams sugar carbs in 8 ounces.

I simply think it is beneficial from my own personal experience and then a rather guarded ear to the research that is taking place. It is a very healthy alternative to just about everything else.

Began the TD with Yutaka Midori from O-Cha in a Hagi set. SweeTea joined in while Wulong and Lili were observers today.

[leiche2]

Let me express my complete disinterest in the health benefits of tea. Healthful or not, I drink tea because I enjoy it. I perhaps wouldn't have it so often if it was "bad" for me--for instance, soda certainly isn't healthful, but I still drink it when the mood strikes.

Having some slightly overbrewed Fujian oolong from BirdPick this morning. It's warm and still tastes okay, which is all I ask for.

[geeber1]

I drink tea because I like it! The fact that it MAY be good for me is a possible benefit, but I don't drink it for my health.

I probably would not drink tea if it were bad for me, or at least I would drink less of it.

At home this morning I had the 3rd tea of the Lochan tasting (Nilgiri Korakundah) and at work I'm enjoying Adagio's Fujian Baroque.

[RachelC]

I rated it as "important" although it is more of a bonus for me. I really enjoy tea dispite the benefits but I am happy there are benefits.