Fancy a Cup?

Fancy a cup of tea? Tea and coffee are the most popular drinks in the world (after water) and tea has long been extolled for its general health benefits and naturally protective properties. When coupled with a healthy lifestyle, tea can improve wellness and has been touted to help with everything from joint pain to losing weight to slowing the aging process. According to Harvard Women's Health Watch, the health benefits of tea are due to a concentration of plant-derived compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are found in fruits, vegetables and certain beverages, and have antioxidant effects. The National Institutes of Health explain that antioxidants "...may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases." Drinking freshly-brewed tea is the easiest way for your body to absorb the flavonoids; decaffeinated, instant and bottled teas have less of the antioxidant compounds.

Learn more about how tea can improve your health when Tina Jesson of Tina's Traditional Old English Kitchen presents "Health Benefits of Tea" on Tuesday, November 12th at 6:30pm. Tina moved to Indianapolis from the Derbyshire region of England in 2008 and is a trained educator who has been cooking traditional British cuisine for over twenty years. During her talk, which she has presented for the American Heart Association, Tina will cover real tea, herbal tea and spice blends, and she'll offer samples of some of those teas for you to taste. If you've been to a program at the Library by Tina before, you know you're in for a fun, informative and delicious time. Registration is required, so reserve your seat today and we'll see you on November 12th.