Unsweetened Iced Tea Benefits

Ah sweeeeet, iced tea on a long hot summer day. In the scorching heat of summer in July, a tall glass of iced tea is the only refreshing and hydrating beverage we crave. Iced tea and sunny days are a perfect pairing that evokes feelings of summer nostalgia, refreshment, and relaxation in the sun.

Honestly, as the temperatures rise and the sun shines, nothing ever truly matches the wonderful experience of sipping on a tall glass of ice-cold tea to quench your thirst. Iced tea offers so many varieties and flavors that there is something for every palate. Among the various options available, unsweetened iced tea stands out as the best way to enjoy this beverage, due to its remarkable benefits, hydration, and revitalizing capabilities without the nasty drawbacks of added sugars.

When loaded with sugars or artificial sweeteners, the amazing health properties that come from drinking tea - like the potential to help boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, improve heart health, and even potentially even reduce your risk of cancer - can be ruined because high sugar intake reduces the absorption of crucial vitamins and minerals.

For your reference, the American Heart Association recommends that men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams or 150 calories) of added sugar per day and that women should consume no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories) of added sugar per day.

Using instant iced tea packets or drinking bottled iced teas can get you well over this recommended added sugar max. For example, Tazo Hibiscus Passion Iced Tea has 3.5 servings per container and contains 16 grams of added sugar per serving. A bottle of Pure Leaf Raspberry Tea will set you back a whopping 46 grams of added sugar.

Unsweetened tea, as opposed to sweetened iced tea, is the best and healthiest iced beverage option.

It provides delicious flavor combinations and a plethora of nutritional benefits, especially when served with a squeeze of lemon or lime. The appeal of unsweetened iced tea lies in its adaptability; you don’t even need the sugar because depending on the tea blend you choose it can be just as flavorful and delicious as plain iced tea, or you could always include a healthy extra taste boost with a squeeze of lime or lemon, or the addition of fruit and herbs.

All-in-all iced tea has many health advantages in addition to being a delightful way to cool off. In this article, we'll look at the health perks of drinking unsweetened iced tea, including its potential advantages for hydration and weight loss. Join us as we delve into the revitalizing and health-promoting realm of unsweetened iced tea.

1. Weight Loss

Incorporating unsweetened iced tea into your weight loss efforts can yield numerous benefits. This refreshing beverage not only quenches your thirst but also supports your journey toward shedding those extra pounds. Unlike sugary beverages that can sabotage your weight loss goals, unsweetened iced tea is low in calories and contains minimal natural sugars, especially when enjoyed without any added sweeteners.

By substituting calorie-laden sodas and other sugary drinks with unsweetened iced tea, you can significantly reduce your daily calorie intake and make progress towards your weight loss goals.

Additionally, one of the remarkable aspects of unsweetened iced tea is its ability to keep you feeling full and satisfied without contributing to your calorie count. The refreshing and hydrating nature of iced tea can help curb your appetite, preventing unnecessary snacking and overeating. By opting for unsweetened iced tea as a beverage choice, you can stay refreshed, maintain a balanced calorie intake, and support your weight loss journey without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.

2. Hydration

With summer fun also comes a higher risk for dehydration and related illnesses, making staying hydrated during the summer vital. Proper hydration helps regulate body temperature and supports the functions of your entire body. While sweetened drinks like soft drinks, lemonades, and sweetened iced teas only make dehydration worse, unsweetened iced tea provides a refreshing and revitalizing solution to quench your thirst.

The importance of hydration is acknowledged by the esteemed Harvard Public School of Health, which ranks iced tea as the second-best source of hydration after water. Unsweetened iced tea is a calorie-free beverage that is naturally rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and other beneficial substances that contribute to overall health and well-being. 

3. Immune System

Unsweetened iced tea is a powerful ally in maintaining a robust immune system. Tea is loaded with antioxidants, polyphenols, and catechins which help stimulate and enhance immune function.

The addition of fruit to your iced tea can also further enhance these benefits.

Fruits are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, supporting immunity and your overall health and well-being.

By incorporating unsweetened iced tea into your daily routine, you can tap into the power of its antioxidants and essential nutrients to fortify your immune system. Regular consumption of unsweetened iced tea provides valuable defense mechanisms against pathogens and infections, ensuring that your immune system remains strong and resilient.

4. Bone Health

Milk tends to take all the credit for being the best beverage for bone health, but it’s time for milk to step aside. Unsweetened iced tea is a secret weapon for promoting strong and healthy bones. Most iced teas are made using black tea which is a particularly potent tea for bone health as it contains essential nutrients like manganese and fluoride. Fluoride strengthens dental enamel and contributes to the overall strength of our skeletal system, while manganese promotes bone metabolism and the development of connective tissue.

One study examined the effects of black tea extract and thearubigins (polymers of tea catechins) on osteoporosis and osteoclast formation. These findings suggested that black tea and its components had a potentially positive effect on the tested rats, preventing bone loss and osteoporosis.

So, by incorporating unsweetened iced tea into your daily routine, you're providing your body with not just refreshment but the necessary minerals to support long-term bone health.  

5. Heart Disease

Yep, unsweetened iced tea is heart healthy. One of the key factors contributing to this range of benefits for cardiovascular health is the presence of flavonoids in tea. These natural compounds act as powerful antioxidants, reducing inflammation in the arteries and blood vessels of the heart. By mitigating tissue inflammation, tea plays a preventive role in reducing the risk of heart disease and related conditions.

While the findings do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that regular tea consumption may have benefits for heart health. The study involved over 100,000 Chinese adults who provided information about their tea-drinking habits and were followed for an average of seven years. The results showed that individuals who drank more than three cups of tea per week had a 20% lower risk of heart attack or related problems, as well as a 22% lower risk of dying from heart disease, compared to those who consumed fewer cups of tea.

6. Diabetes

Iced tea without added sugar is a tasty and healthy option for diabetes prevention. According to multiple studies, drinking tea daily without milk or sugar may have the ability to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, for individuals with prediabetes or those at risk of diabetes, unsweetened iced tea can be a suitable and healthier beverage option. Its rehydrating and revitalizing nature with a lack of added sugars make it a great alternative to sugary beverages that can contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance.

Enjoy Unsweetened Iced Tea Benefits

As we’ve learned unsweetened iced tea offers a variety of incredible benefits that make it a smart choice for your summer beverage go-to. Whether you're looking to manage your weight, stay hydrated, support your immunity, or promote overall health, unsweetened iced tea is a refreshing and healthful option. So, as you enjoy the sunny days of summer, consider regularly enjoying a glass of unsweetened iced tea, your body and tastebuds will thank you.

At Wise Ape Tea, we take pride in offering a variety of premium teas that can elevate your iced tea experience to new heights.

Whether you're looking for a warm black tea blend, a refreshing green tea blend, or any unique herbal blend, Wise Ape Tea has you covered. 

 With our Wise Ape Tea collection, you can enjoy the pure and natural taste of unsweetened iced tea while reaping the health benefits it provides. Our teas are carefully sourced and crafted to ensure exceptional flavor and quality. Each sip of Wise Ape Tea is a delightful journey of flavors that will leave you refreshed and invigorated. From the moment you take your first sip, you'll taste the difference that our commitment to quality brings. Cheers to a summer filled with the revitalizing and wholesome goodness of Wise Ape Tea!

What Do You Love About Unsweetened Iced Tea?

Let us know your thoughts on Instagram at @WiseApeCo and/or use the hashtag #WiseApeTribe and we’ll share it! 

This informative article was published by Sophia McKenzie. Sophia is head content creator, copywriter, and writer, for several premium websites, where her expertise lies in health, nutrition, and wellness. Her content focuses on providing and sharing doable solutions to help people truly thrive and live their happiest, healthiest, fulfilled lives.