Tea-Totalling Through Tumultuous Times
How the world’s best-loved drink contributes to our behaviours, and positively impacts our health and well-being
According to www.worldteanews.com (I kid you not, this is an actual site) there are 25,000 cups of tea being sipped on every second, and about 2.16 billion cups consumed across the globe, per day. Since last March, getting dolled up for a pending Instagram post at pre-drinks has been replaced with a cute ‘outfit pic’ at the most on-brand tea/coffee cart, within the 5km radius. But what explanation can be given as to why this calmative potion is the most widely consumed drink in the world? Furthermore, what hard evidence do we have behind the hypothesis that drinking tea can lead to living a longer life?
Unfortunately, given the current climate and dare I say the ‘unprecedented’ times in which we live, our bodies are constantly being flooded with daily surges of stress hormones. When we enter the chaotic realm of fight or flight which triggers our sympathetic nervous system, bodily functions that are not deemed to be crucial when faced with perceived imminent danger, are shut-down. For example, the digestive system and immune system are deprioritised during emotionally taxing situations, in conjunction with a myriad of other physiological changes that occur, all designed to keep us alive.
Ok, so what relevance does this slightly random and unnerving mouthful of information have, to our tea-drinking rituals?
L-theanine is an amino acid that isn’t produced by the human body. So note-worthy are its effects that it is available to buy in sachet or tablet form. Would you believe, the most common source of L-theanine, is none other, than your humble cup of tea. Some of the health benefits associated with this compound include elevated levels of dopamine and serotonin; neurotransmitters that assist in emotional regulation, promoting gut health, and a consistent sleep cycle. Known as an anxiolytic (something which is used to decrease anxiety), an article in ‘Psychology Today’ has suggested that unlike herbal remedies such as valerian and hops which have more sedative effects, L-theanine works on decreasing the output of excitatory chemicals. What this means, is that L-theanine is a relaxation agent only, making tea an uncompromising choice of beverage for those behind the wheel, or in front of the screen.
Antioxidants called ‘flavonoids’ are being studied with regard to their contribution to decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Research published in the ‘Molecular Aspects of Medicine’ ever so comfortingly states that significant evidence has been found to support the idea that drinking tea can boost heart health.
Well, if ever there was a reason to stick the kettle on.
An Emotional Anchor
When navigating choppy waters, there is no crew mate more invaluable than that of an emotional anchor. Oftentimes this can come in the form of a family member or trusted friend, but unfortunately due to the fragility of human relationships and the aspect of unpredictability which is a side-effect of human nature, we need something a little more dependable. Even having the autonomy over the process of making tea, hands back the reigns of your life, in a time of uncontrollable and unbridled chaos.
Tea is consistently consistent; it’s familiar, it’s reliable, it’s hearty and homely. It’s an excuse for a biscuit. It’s whatever you want it to be and whatever you need it to be. It’s beginning to sounds like the ideal life-partner?! You know what you’re getting when it comes to tea. Unless, of course, you’re in the company of someone who adds the milk, before the hot water. Frightening.
Suitably acronymised, ‘T — Thought, E — Emotions, A — Actions’ it proves challenging to recall a predicament when a cup of tea wasn’t offered in an attempt to ameliorate the situation; a time when thoughts, emotions, and subsequent actions, were in a state of disarray and somebody didn’t suggest flicking the switch. Lost your job? Got mugged? Caught your husband having an affair? Enduring a psychologically harrowing hangover? I mean, the first step to overseeing the obliteration of all the above mild disasters, starts, and usually ends, with a piping hot cup of tea.
And so I leave you with some evocative sentiments on what we have now established to be the very elixir of life.
Wishing you nothing but sereni-tea, tranquili-tea and safe-tea for the remainder of your locked-down days.
“No matter where you are in the world, you are at home when tea is served.” — Earlene Grey
“Wherever you are drinking your tea, whether at work, in a cafe, or at home, it is wonderful to allow enough time to appreciate it.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
“I must drink lots of tea or I cannot work. Tea unleashes the potential which slumbers in the depth of my soul.” — Leo Tolstoy
