It’s hard to ignore the brew-haha. From mild whites and grassy greens to flowery and fruity flavors, there’s a bottled tea to quench any thirst—and no shortage of health claims on the labels. “Tea is the richest source of catechins around,” says Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University in Boston. Catechins are a class of flavanoids, which are a type of antioxidant, he explains. Antioxidants, as you probably know, protect your body from free radicals—ultimately reducing your risk for heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. “The data about tea promoting heart health is the strongest,” says Dr. Blumberg. “Studies show the highest reduction in heart disease risk in people who drink at least 4 or 5 cups per day.”
But don’t just chug three bottles of Nestea and call it a heart-healthy day. “The problem with iced tea is it’s diluted—and it isn’t as fresh, so the catechins are depleted after a few days,” says Dr. Blumberg. “The amount of catechins preserved in bottled teas varies product to product, so it’s best to drink it hot or brew a strong batch on your own and ice it.” Also, watch for added sugar, he warns. Some bottled teas contain between 20 and 30 grams of sugar per bottle—a can of Sprite contains 29 grams, and the USDA says to limit added sugars to 40 grams per day in a 2,000-calorie diet.
No matter how you take your tea, iyogalife.com is here to help you make the most of your antioxidant cocktail. For a homemade treat, try this White Tea Smoothie the people at Salada brewed up. If you want to get your fix on the go, try one of the following great-tasting choices, all with less than 10 grams of sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and, because we like to keep you in yogic balance, we included a pick for every color chakra (those energy centers in your body that don’t run on caffeine).
Red: Pom Tea Light Pomegranate Hibiscus Green Tea ($2.99)
www.pomwonderful.com
This light blend has a fruity sweetness that is undercut with an aromatic essence of hibiscus. Great if you aren’t looking for a strong tea flavor—it tastes more like a mild fruit juice blend (with only 35 calories per serving). Plus, pomegranate extract boosts the drink’s antioxidant content. Available nationwide in September.
Chakra Charge: The red chakra is the root chakra located at the base of the spine, and relates to the bones. When it’s balanced you feel grounded, healthy, and optimistic.
Orange: Inko’s White Tea White Peach ($1.69)
www.healthywhitetea.com
If you like Snapple Peach Tea but not its 24 grams of sugar, your healthy alternative has arrived. White tea touts the highest antioxidant content of any variety, and the natural peach flavoring is sweet but not overpowering.
Chakra Charge: The orange chakra is located just below the belly button and influences the internal organs. It is a source of creativity and sexuality.
Yellow: Tea’s Tea Lemongrass Green ($2.00)
www.teastea.com
This refreshing unsweetened tea contains zingy lemongrass so it’s lemon-fresh without a bitter citrus aftertaste. Aromatic and clean on the palate, the tea tastes fresh-brewed but not grassy or overpowering.
Chakra Charge: The yellow chakra is found at the bottom of the rib cage and is associated with personal power, and with digestion.
Green: Honest Tea Heavenly Honey Green ($1.59)
www.honesttea.com
Made with organic green tea, honey, and sugar (for a total sugar content of 9.5 grams) this tastes most like your fresh-brewed cuppa. This choice is best for green-tea lovers, as the leafy flavor is persistent throughout.
Chakra Charge: The green chakra is the heart chakra, the foundation of your body’s connection between the physical and spiritual. It also influences circulation and the lungs, and is associated with love and trust.
Blue: Bombilla Gourd Blueberry Yerba Maté Tea ($1.79)
www.bombillagourd.com
This South American tea is known for its high antioxidant profile—90 percent more than green tea—and also its strong, bitter taste. Bombilla Gourd’s blueberry infusion tempers the maté for a sweet berry-tea flavor with only 40 calories and 10 grams of sugar per serving.
Chakra Charge: The blue chakra is the throat chakra, associated with communication, which influences the mouth, teeth, and throat.
Indigo: Anteadote Pure Jasmine Tea ($2.00)
www.adagio.com
The taste of jasmine blossom leaves no need for sugar in this unsweetened blend, which has a smooth and never-bitter flavor, although some are put off by the flowery taste. This is an herbal brew, which does not contain the catechins that traditional teas do, but it is fortified with another important antioxidant: vitamin C.
Chakra Charge: Indigo is the chakra of clairvoyance. Also known as the third eye, it is located on the brow and affects vision and imagination.
White: Inko’s White Tea Original ($1.69)
www.healthywhitetea.com
If you like plain iced tea but not the bitterness of black brews, try white tea. Inko’s Original flavor is mild and lightly sweetened, so it goes down smooth, but it still packs more antioxidants than black or green tea.
Chakra Charge: The white or violet chakra is found on the crown of the head and influences spirituality and inspiration. Physically it is associated with the brain and glands.
To find the best tea for you, read our Tea Tutorial.
Try this easy White Tea Smoothie recipe.
