Today is international tea day! For centuries, tea has been a mainstay in the diet and traditions of many eastern cultures. For example, the Japanese tea ceremony, which includes the custom of preparing tea, dates back to the 800s. Nonetheless, recently, tea has been getting a lot of hype for its health benefits. Did you know that these benefits extend to the health of your mouth?
Interestingly, a study conducted in Japan reported that individuals who drank tea demonstrated improvement in the status of their periodontal (gum) health. The study assessed the periodontal health of 940 Japanese men and reported that the pocket depth and bleeding improved after consumption of one cup of green tea daily.
Pretty cool huh? How does this happen?
Honestly, we don't completely know. Further research should be conducted to explore this, but the authors of the study suggest that possibly the oral health benefits of green tea may be attributed to the anti-inflammatory effects of the antioxidants found in green tea.
What are some other fun facts about tea?
1. Did you know that all teas come from the plant Camellia sinensis but that the different varieties of tea such as white tea, green tea, black tea and oolong tea, all result from how the tea is processed?
2. Not all teas should be brewed the same way. Certain teas are more delicate and should be brewed at different temperatures or for different periods of time. For example, white tea should be brewed at a lower temperature than black tea. Brewing teas at less than ideal temperatures can result in teas tasting bitter.
3. Sometimes drinking extremely hot tea frequently can affect the appearance of the palate.