Three Tea Tips for the Late Night Student

By Mary Tschirhart on September 5, 2013

With the beginning of the new school year, hundreds of students will flock to vending machines for their all-nighter boost of energy. This usually involves drinking sodas or very concentrated caffeine simulators that will keep you going all night “with no crash”.

But for those looking for a healthier and even better way to maintain focus and energy without resorting to bodily chemical warfare, it can be a bit difficult to find something tasty without emptying your wallet. Here are a few simple yet useful tips about tea to help get you started:

 

1)      Tea has a different form of caffeine than coffee or energy drinks. The caffeine in tea contains theobromine, which is a naturally occurring chemical found in chocolate and tea, and enlarges vessels throughout the body.  “Because theobromine helps to open up the blood vessels in the brain, this allows a person to think more quickly and clearly during long study nights” says William and Mary alum Jacob Hill, an avid tea drinker.  “Tea won’t crash you out after a while. Instead it will allow you to maintain a longer focus.” Tea’s high amounts of theobromine have prompted more study of the chemical, which looks at the effect of tea and its use for lowering blood pressure or reducing hypertension. It is a great way to calm yourself down as well as to get ready for a long night of studying.

 

2)      Tea can be an antibacterial. According to Dr. Milton Schiffenbauer at Pace University, iced or hot tea can turn some viruses inactive. Green or black tea will help fight off illness during the school year, whether served iced or hot. The essentials oils within the tea leaves, which contain all of the antiviral properties, are released as you brew the tea leaves in hot water. Even to make a refreshing batch of iced tea, the leaves are usually introduced to hot/warm water before the ice is added. The temperatures and time necessary for steep time vary depending on the type of tea, so always refer to a guide to help get the best from your tea.

 

 

3)      Tea can also help with weight regulation. We have all heard about the infamous “freshman fifteen,” brought on by a change of diet, the lack of “healthier” food options, and late night-study snacks. Numerous students have reported a change in diet because they simply eat what is available and cheap. “Oolongs, a version of tea that undergoes varying levels of oxidation, in particular have appetite suppressant characteristics. It helps to break down fats within the stomach and boasts the body’s metabolism” says Kenneth Roberts, a Certified Herbalist. “Oolong is the tea referred to most often to help with weight management.”

 

So whenever you’re cramming during a late night or feel a cough coming on, don’t rely on expensive chemical products. Tea in its natural form is a safe, affordable, and healthier option.

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