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black and green teas, iced or hot, contain antioxidants called
polyphenols. Research suggests that polyphenols work to track
down free radicals before they can contribute to widespread
cell damage and increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
Green tea gets more hype because it contains the highest concentration
of polyphenols, but all teas, with the exception of herbal
teas, contain some polyphenols.
To
get the most from a glass of iced tea, brew it from loose
leaves or a tea bag using boiling water. You can add sliced
lemon for flavor or crushed raspberries for variety. Remember
to leave out the sugar — if you would like your drink
sweetened, use a sugar substitute. Try to limit your consumption
of caffeinated iced tea to between one and two glasses daily.
Unsweetened herbal iced tea is an acceptable alternative,
though you won't get the same health benefits as with green
or black tea.
Source:
The South Beach Diet
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