Why a Tea Party is Good for Your Bones

Tea is just one of those things everybody knows is healthy.  It has been used for years in alternative medicine for coughs, constipation, cancer, heart disease, digestion, stress reduction and more. It is the second most consumed beverage in the world with water being number one.

A new benefit is how tea has been shown to reduce fracture risk to people with osteoporosis. Women with osteoporosis who regularly consumed tea were shown to have a significantly less chance of breaking bones and hips.  The study linked the fact that tea is high in flavonoids which has been shown to help bone health as the cause for the reduced risk of bone fracture.

Flavonoids are plant-based compounds with powerful antioxidant properties.  They also have medicinal properties that include the ability to defend against cancer, viruses, as well as having  anti-microbial, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory characteristics.  Tea is a great source of flavonoids but so are many fruits and vegetables like blueberries, kale, broccoli, rutabaga and more.

It all goes back to balance and a healthy lifestyle.  When we are eating nutritious foods, there is a better chance of our body systems working smoothly.  Osteoporosis seems to occur when there is inflammation.  Flavonoids have shown promise in protecting against bone loss, likely because of their anti-inflammatory properties. When the body is in a state of inflammation or even low, chronic inflammation, the normal pathways that promote osteoblast function (bone building) are harmed.  This results in osteoporosis.

Before you start drinking large amounts of tea, remember that there are other components to a healthy lifestyle that reduce inflammation so our bodies can run more efficiently, performing the tasks they need to keep us healthy.  Getting enough exercise and sleep are necessary too.

Both Ayurveda and modern medicine are seeing the links to our lifestyle and health. So take a tea break!

Stay healthy & well,
Lisa