Q: Is tea a good choice at restaurants?
A: This time of year, as the weather cools off and cold and flu season heats up, tea can be an especially appealing choice when eating out at restaurants. Not only can it be soothing, but tea is also known to contain antioxidants—compounds that can help heal cells from free radical damage caused by the sun, smoke exposure, and other factors. Although green tea has the highest antioxidant activity compared to black and oolong teas, all types of tea contain antioxidants and health benefits. These health benefits include:
- Lowering blood pressure
- Lowering LDL-cholesterol
- Possibly reducing cancer risk
- Decreasing the likelihood of tooth decay
- Promoting adequate hydration
Whether you prefer a cup of hot tea with your meal of Japanese food or a tall glass of iced tea with your healthy lunch, opt for simple brewed and unsweetened teas, and then enjoy this low calorie drink with a touch of sweet honey or squeeze of lemon. To get even more antioxidants in your diet, opt for plenty of fruits and vegetables each day in addition to drinking tea.