Tea is a staple beverage in millions of Canadian households, and for good reason: Whether to stimulate or to soothe, tea is an all-around health-boosting drink. Herbal teas, specifically, have been used for centuries to aid in relaxation, sleep, and fatigue reduction. Plus, they’re a healthier alternative to caffeinated beverages if you’re trying to cut out caffeine for a better night’s sleep.
Typical herbal teas are comprised of dried leaves from edible plants such as valerian root, chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, and passionflower—all thoroughly researched as viable sleep aids due to their calming and sedative effects. But one company called Millennia Tea is trying a different spin on tea and they’ve created a new tea category to take healthy drinks to a whole other level—fresh-leaf tea.
What Is Fresh-Leaf Tea?
What you may not know is that all tea comes from the same leaf—a plant called Camellia Sinensis. What differentiates black teas from green teas is how the tea leaves are dried and cooked. Millennia Tea has changed things up, creating tea products in their natural, raw form. But why? Well, the founders of Millennia learned that a powerful antioxidant is present in raw tea—a unique plant compound called EGCG, or Epigallocatechin Gallate.
When they learned that fresh tea leaves have the highest levels of EGCG, they decided to create a type of tea that would present the beverage in its healthiest and purest form. Using a patented method, Millennia washes and flash-freezes their raw, organic tea leaves to maximize the tea’s nutritional properties. According to the process, their fresh-leaf tea holds five times the number of antioxidants than conventional green tea made from the same leaves.
What’s So Special About EGCG?
EGCG has been well-researched as a unique plant compound that holds positive health impacts. While predominantly found in green tea, EGCG also exists in some fruits like cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, and kiwis, as well in nuts like pecans, pistachios, and hazelnuts. Studies suggest that it helps reduce inflammation, aids in weight loss, and can help prevent brain and heart disease. At its core, EGCG’s antioxidants may help prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals.
What are free radicals, you ask? Good question. Free radicals are particles formed in your body that can cause cell damage when their numbers get too high. By eating antioxidant-rich foods can help limit this damage, and research suggests EGCG can reduce the risk of chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer.
How Fresh-Leaf Tea Will Help You Sleep
Because tea is an excellent source of the amino acid and caffeine regulator L-theanine, it may help you sleep better. Not only have researchers found L-theanine useful in producing germ-fighting compounds, but it’s also effective at lowering stress and supporting more restful sleep. The benefits of drinking tea also include strengthening your immune system, promoting better heart health, and increasing your mood.
So, if you’re looking for a healthier drink in addition to a better night’s sleep, fresh-leaf tea might be your new best friend! You can stop by our sleep boutique in Bedford, Nova Scotia to try Millennia Tea for yourself—but if you’re struggling with sleep despite healthy habits you may have an undiagnosed sleep disorder. Contact us today to book a complimentary sleep consultation and get back to better sleep.
We wrote this article with reference to an article by Healthline. You can read more here.
