The Healthiest Tea to Drink

Looking for the healthiest tea to drink? Get the scoop on the best tea types and tea brands, straight from a registered dietitian.

One of my favorite beverages is actually hot water with a spin: tea. I drink several glasses day to stay warm. And between my stashes, I have at least 50 varieties to choose from!

If you were to come over to my house, you’d find a cupboard overflowing with tea. I love tea and not only because it provides so much flavor for so few calories. I find drinking a cup of tea to be an incredibly calming activity.

And tea has some pretty major health benefits. Our ancestors were onto these benefits way before we started having tea time or coffee shops created signature blends.

Not only can you whip up a delicious mug of tea in minutes, you can also incorporate it into recipes, including yummy sweet treats. 

Now, get your hot water and tea bags ready so that you can start sipping the healthiest tea to drink!

The healthiest tea to drink for…

When it comes to choosing the healthiest tea to drink, what you sip depends on the health benefit you’re looking for.

Let’s take a look at several of the healthiest tea options for different health benefits.

For weight loss: green tea

I love the taste of green tea, and research shows why it’s one of the healthiest teas to drink.

Research shows that consuming green tea may lead to weight loss, according to data published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Although the weight loss is thought to be minimal, every little bit helps!

For blood pressure: black and green tea

We’ve long known that tea has many health benefits: Black and green tea contain a type of antioxidant called flavonoids that may help heart health. And green tea may help weight loss and dental health.

Drinking green tea may also significantly help reduce your blood pressure, found a review study in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

For cancer prevention: black tea

When it comes to flavor profile, many people prefer black tea. And here’s great news: Black tea is truly a healthiest tea to drink.

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that drinking tea may help you decrease your risk of ovarian cancer.

In the study of almost 172,000 women, researchers found that taking in large amounts of flavonoids—largely in part by drinking black tea—modestly lowered subjects’ risk of developing ovarian cancer.

This is significant, especially since there haven’t been many studies linking tea consumption with decreased cancer risk.

The scientists found the benefits in drinking more than one cup of black tea per day. Researchers aren’t certain why, but they say flavonoids may inhibit ovarian cancer cells from growing.

You can safely drink much more than a cup per day.

One cup of tea has between 20 and 60 milligrams of caffeine, and studies show that you can take in up to 400 milligrams (or about seven cups of the strongest-brewed tea) daily without any negative effects on hydration.

For better sleep: chamomile

Chamomile tea is a type of herbal tea may help your shut-eye.

In a study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, postpartum women regularly drinking chamomile tea daily for two weeks noticed short-term sleep benefits.

6 healthy teas black teas to try

Looking to expand your tea palate? There are so many black teas to enjoy, from English breakfast tea and more. Here’s a round-up of some of my favorite black teas.

I take my tea recommendations very seriously. So grab a mug and get those tea benefits of the healthiest tea to drink, pronto.

1. Lipton Black Tea

This tea is a go-to for a reason. I love mine with a squeeze of lemon juice!

2. Stash Fusion Breakfast in Paris Black Tea

From a company based in the suburbs of Portland, OR (a big tea town!), this brew is perfect for daydreaming that you’re abroad.

3. Numi Earl Grey Tea

This tea has been a favorite since I was first introduced to it years ago. I really love the floral notes in the tea leaves.

4. Steven Smith Teamaker Masala Chai Tea

This blend combines tea from India with ginger root, cassia, black pepper, cloves and cardamom. Hello, spice!

5. David’s Tea Read My Lips Loose Leaf Tea

With notes of chocolate, peppermint, and candy lips (need we say more?), this loose tea tastes like a cuppa (very low-cal) dessert.

6. Le Palais Des Thes Blue of London Earl Gray Tea

I didn’t drink Earl Gray tea until I watched my former British coworker, Rachel, drink cup after cup. Then I had to try it and was amazed at the depth of this tea—its floral bergamot packs a fragrant punch.

A splurge, this loose tea comes with heating directions so you brew the perfect cup.

Sources

• Data published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
• A review study in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
• Intake of Dietary Flavonoids and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• A study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing

I’d love to hear from you! Which of these healthiest teas to drink is your favorite?