From coffee to cups of orange juice, many of us have a beloved morning beverage we sip on with our breakfast. Whether it’s because you need caffeine to take on the day or just love the ritual of drinking the same thing each and every morning, there’s a certain comfort in the act. However, the way you start your day can make or break your overall health, so choosing the right beverage can make all the difference. While some of them are notoriously inflammatory and unhealthy, there are a few options that can actually do wonders for your body—including one hot tea.
To learn more about the best morning beverage to soothe inflammation and start your day off right, we spoke to health experts Erin Quense MS, RDN, Registered Dietitian from Strong Home Gym and Liz Jane, practicing medical doctor. They told us that green tea is one of the greatest, natural remedies you can consume on a regular basis. Read on for all of their insight!
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Green Tea
It turns out that green tea is good for more than just a bit of a caffeine boost in the morning. This delicious, ancient beverage can actually do wonders for your overall health. From clearer skin to a flatter tummy, the benefits are practically endless—and that’s primarily in thanks to green tea’s anti-inflammatory properties, which come from all the antioxidants it packs in.
“Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help fight inflammation and protect your cells from damage,” Jane tells us. Antioxidants offer a plethora of benefits for your body. To name a few, she notes that those offered by green tea can “help reduce the symptoms of arthritis, such as joint pain and swelling.” Additionally, these anti-inflammatory ingredients “protect your heart from damage caused by inflammation.” Amazing!
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A specific type of antioxidant found in this tasty tea is known as catechins. Quense breaks down their befits for us: “There is a lot of biochemistry behind catechins, but basically these natural antioxidants protect our cells from damage and the formation of free radicals,” she explains. Without this type of protection, you may be subject to all sorts of health risks stemming from oxidative stress. And if you really want to provide your body with this helpful ingredient, green tea is one of the best ways to get it. As Quense says, “teas are actually the richest and most studied source of catechins.”
So, there you have it. Next time you’re reaching to make your morning coffee, you may want to consider switching to a few cups of green tea—although it may not pack in as much caffeine, it certainly offers unparalleled benefits.