Did you get up this morning and not drink tea?

You probably missed that today is the International Day for the celebration of the hot drink.

We decided to do something, and checked which of the urban legends associated with the drink's name are true, and if it is really as healthy as we think it is.

For this purpose, we contacted dietician Limor Ben Haim, who will try to provide us with answers.

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If you drink, don't you get infected?

"Many studies deal with tea and its active ingredients, and with the question of whether tea prevents infection with viral diseases such as the flu. A study among 2,663 children aged 6-13 in Japan examined their tea consumption habit compared to the incidence of the flu. It was found that consumption of up to five cups of tea a day, reduces There is a 50 percent chance of getting infected," says Ben Haim.

Hot tea burns everything?

Photo: GettyImages

"Another study in the country tested health workers in nursing homes. They received for five months active components found in green tea, and this study also confirmed the same conclusion - the active components in green tea are effective in preventing inflammation, and shorten the time needed for recovery," she adds.

So what does green tea actually contain?

"Green tea is a plant source of thousands of active ingredients, with a variety of effects - antioxidants, antivirals, improving metabolism and more," says Ben Haim.

"The main plant components in the ingredients of green tea give them the ability to inhibit the activity of viruses, and they are called catechins and theanine. The main viruses tested in the study are influenza and herpes, and the findings in the studies show the inhibition of their infectivity, the prevention of their absorption in the body, assistance in the breakdown of the virus by enzymes , and a delay in the spread and division of the virus into multiple cells. It seems that this is the only way to stop the viruses," she explains.

Hot tea burns everything?

Everyone knows grandma's remedies - eat an orange for vitamin C, drink chicken soup when you're sick, and tea at every possible opportunity.

What is behind these recommendations?

"The nose plays an essential role in the first line of defense against the penetration of viruses, which cause respiratory tract infections. As part of the defense system, it produces mucus called mucus, whose function is to break down and prevent its contact with the body, and expel the hazards. In other words, it is, of course, a runny nose." , explains Ben Haim.

Drinking hot tea in small sips - beneficial for a runny nose, photo: GettyImages

She tells about a study conducted on the subject: "The subjects in the study were given hot soup, hot water and cold water, which they drank in sips or through a straw, and the direct effect on the speed of the mucus produced in the nose was tested. What were the conclusions? The highest effect was measured after a sip of hot soup, followed by Drinking hot water in small sips, and drinking through a straw was found to reduce the effect. Drinking small amounts of water not only did not increase mucus production, but also decreased it. A similar study was also done with hot tea, and the results were similar. Conclusion: Soup and hot tea help the body to deal with viral respiratory infections," she concluded.

And in conclusion, do the grandmother's medicines really work?

The answer is yes.

Drinking green tea at least once a day, combined with a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts and fish that provide omega 3, will function like a "green vaccine" for us.

Green tea infusion, photo: GettyImages

The perfect recipe for healthy tea

How to prepare the healthiest tea, which will be rich in active ingredients?

We recommend making sure to buy high-quality green tea or matcha tea, brew it for three minutes in boiling water, and leave the bag in order to get the most antioxidants.

Drink the drink in small sips when it is hot, and you have a delicious health drink.

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