2008 Woodie Awards
Study time can be tea time too
Katrina Hartwood
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Life
No matter what kind of tea is consumed, there are many beneficial antioxidants available in a cup. Studies done on tea have shown positive effects on heart disease, stroke and cancer. Even if these studies may not make everyone believe the powerful benefits of tea, there is no harm in trying tea as a beverage. If the caffeine content is an issue, herbal teas generally do not contain caffeine so they also do not have the potential of causing dehydration as with caffeinated beverages. Tea is almost calorie free if it is consumed by itself without added cream and/or sugar.
Tea is also not a "diet" drink that substitutes artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, for sugar. Depending on how long the tea bag is left in the water, the tea will be more or less bitter. Instead of adding sugar to your tea to sweeten it up, try taking the tea bag out a little earlier so te tea is not as bitter.
The next time you are studying in the evening or just need a little energy boost during the day, try to a cup of tea instead of a higher caffeinated beverage. Not only will you be able to get to sleep when you want, but you will also be getting healthy antioxidants with almost no unwanted calories.
Katrina Harwood is a Senior in the Dietetics Program in the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences. She can be reached at harwkatr@isu.edu.
Tea is also not a "diet" drink that substitutes artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, for sugar. Depending on how long the tea bag is left in the water, the tea will be more or less bitter. Instead of adding sugar to your tea to sweeten it up, try taking the tea bag out a little earlier so te tea is not as bitter.
The next time you are studying in the evening or just need a little energy boost during the day, try to a cup of tea instead of a higher caffeinated beverage. Not only will you be able to get to sleep when you want, but you will also be getting healthy antioxidants with almost no unwanted calories.
Katrina Harwood is a Senior in the Dietetics Program in the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences. She can be reached at harwkatr@isu.edu.
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