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It might surprise you to learn that tea is the second most commonly consumed beverage in the world, beaten only by water. Not only is it refreshing and palate pleasing, but it also has plenty of health properties. All tea contains polyphenols, which give tea wonderful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are what help to protect our bodies from damage by free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer, particularly gastric, esophageal, skin and ovarian. Polyphenols can also help to prevent blood clotting and they lower cholesterol levels too! All this in a humble cup of tea!

How does the caffeine content compare to coffee?

A single cup of tea contains roughly 40mg of caffeine, about half that of a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Decaffeinated tea may lose much of the polyphenols in the decaffeinating process.

Herbal teas are a different story Mostly, herbal teas are not really tea at all. They are infusions consisting of herbs, flowers, spices and roots and the correct term is 'tisane'. Tisanes are not as polyphenol-rich as tea but some offer other health virtues including relaxation, stimulation, energizing and calming.

Make your own Commercially produced bottles of iced tea may seem like a healthy alternative to fizzy soft drinks but with over 800kJ and 13 teaspoons of added sugar, plus a cocktail of artificial ingredients, you're far better off making your own at home. And it's so easy! You can even add alcohol for a bit of kick if you like. Try gin, Cointreau, rum or even Malibu.

Basic Ice Tea 4 teaspoons loose tea or your choice

2 cups boiling water

sugar, to taste

fresh mint sprig, for garnish

lemon wedge, for garnish

Stir tea, water and sugar together then chill. Serve over ice with mint and lemon wedges to garnish.

Hint Of Mint Iced Tea 1 litre boiling water

4 teaspoons of your favourite black tea leaves

13/4 cups fresh mint leaves

¼- cup sugar

¼- cup lime juice

Steep the tea leaves, mint and sugar in the boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain and chill. Add lime juice right before serving. Serves 4.

Home Мейд Peach Iced Tea

1 litre of peach juice

2 litres tea мейд up to taste

1 cup sugar

¼- cup lemon juice

Combine all ingredients. Strain tea leaves. Chill. Serve over ice.

Raspberry Iced Tea

2 cups tea, strained

2 cups raspberry juice

¼- cup honey

Mix tea, raspberry juice and honey. Whisk to dissolve honey. Serve cold over ice. Serves 4.

Gina Lofaro is the owner of Live It Up Lifestyle Products () and sells juicers, dehydrators, coffee machines, food smokers, intimate area shavers, health books and more. She also runs her own successful copywriting business (mywork.name/loans/go/go.php?sid=1.ginalofaro.au]).