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pu-erh tea. All of these teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant,
and have different tastes and medicinal properties.

Green tea is the least processed of all teas, and is made by simply
steaming the leaves. The potent antioxidants in green tea have
been linked to reducing clogs in arteries, decreasing the risk of
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, decreasing the risk of stroke, lowering

cholesterol levels, and stunting the growth of certain cancers,
including breast, lung, pancreatic, bladder, and colorectal cancers.

The other real teas — white, oolong, black, and pu-erh — are all

made from aged or fermented leaves, but do contain a number
of medicinal properties. Research has found that these teas may
reduce cholesterol levels, fight off cancer, protect the lungs, and
reduce stroke risk, among other benefits.

The imposters

Sweet tea, or iced tea, is a popular drink in the United States,
particularly in the South. Sweet tea starts with a “real” tea and

ends up as a glass of sugar with a little tea. Sweet tea, whether it
is sweetened with sugar or an artificial sweetener, should not be
consumed with the intention of bettering one’s health.

Don’t let labels confuse you. Sweetened green tea in a bottle will
not provide nearly the same benefits as a cup of freshly brewed,
organic, “real” green tea.

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