Do you know what are the sweetest teas of course? Well, not all tea needs to be sweetened and some of them can be enjoyed naturally, as with the infusion made with fennel, for example.
This is because some herbs have substances in their composition that give the sweet taste, especially those derived from glucose and some types of aromatic compounds.
The advantage of consuming these beverages is not just in decreasing the daily consumption of sugars, since you don’t need to sweeten them.
This means to say that these infusions also have several benefits for the body, such as improving digestion , relieving cramps and reducing the urge to eat sugary things.
Are you curious to find out what these teas are? So, keep reading this article as you’ll discover four super sweet teas , their benefits and even how to prepare the infusions correctly. Check out!
Index
4 sweetest teas naturally
1. Fennel
Pimpinella anisum tea is well known for its mild and sweet taste , which is why the herb is popularly known as fennel.
As its name suggests, fennel tea has a sweet taste (Photo: depositphotos)
This characteristic derives from the presence of phenolic glycosides, natural substances formed by glucose, which is one of the compounds of sugar, which give the herb’s characteristic flavor and aroma. (1)
The very popular infusion in Brazil is used mainly to improve digestion and reduce discomfort caused by gas and abdominal cramps.
In addition, fennel tea also acts as a natural tranquilizer , helping to reduce anxiety. Therefore, it is a tea that can be given to small children (2).
Another benefit is to provide a natural reduction in blood sugar levels. That’s because the drink changes the way the nutrient is absorbed by the body.
The herb is also known to protect the body from cellular oxidative stress. This benefit is derived from the antioxidant substances present in the plant that can inhibit the action of free radicals.
Fighting infections is another positive effect of fennel. With this, the plant prevents colds and flu , as it has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Finally, the infusion made with fennel is already an old acquaintance of mothers, as it helps in the production of breast milk.
However, pregnant women should avoid consuming this tea, as the herb has phytochemical compounds that relax the uterine muscles and can lead to premature birth and even miscarriage in some cases.
People who use medication to regulate blood glucose should also consume the infusion carefully, as it can potentiate the effects of some types of medications.(1)
Check out how to prepare the infusion!
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of water
- 3 tablespoons of fennel seeds.
Method of preparation:
Bring the water to the fire until it starts to boil and turn off. Then add the fennel, cover and let the mixture steep for five minutes to extract all its benefits.
Finally, just strain the seeds and consume a maximum of three cups a day.
2. Chamomile
Another very sweet tea is chamomile. The flowers of Matricaria recutita produce a tea with a pleasant, aromatic flavor that does not need to be artificially sweetened.
The herb flowers also have large amounts of glycosides , which are mainly responsible for the sweet flavor of the infusion. (3)
Among the numerous benefits of the infusion are its ability to treat inflammation and infections, especially those that affect the skin.
This is because the herb is rich in substances that act as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal , eliminating the cause of the problem.
Like fennel, chamomile is also a great digestive and helps to alleviate bad digestion and discomfort caused by the formation of gas. Besides serving to relieve menstrual cramps and muscle pain in a natural way. (3)
A study by Taiwanese researchers and published in 2015 also indicated that chamomile tea helps improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of postpartum depression. (4)
All of these benefits come with few contraindications. The main one is for pregnant women , who should avoid using it because the herb can relax the uterine muscles and induce early delivery.
People with allergy to flower pollen, especially chrysanthemum, may also be allergic to chamomile. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to symptoms and always consult a doctor after any allergic reaction. (3)
Now see how to prepare tea!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 1 tablespoon chamomile.
Preparation method:
Bring the water to a boil and when it starts bubbling turn off the heat. Then add the chamomile and cover, letting it steep for about five minutes. Finally, just strain the flowers and drink the tea at most twice a day.
3. Lemon balm
The lemon balm or melissa, as it is called in some regions, it is also a plant with high concentrations of glycosides. This makes it enter the list of the sweetest teas in a natural way.
The infusion prepared with this plant is used for various medicinal purposes, due to the benefits it brings to the body, such as improved digestion and reduced gas . In addition, it also fights infections caused by viruses, as is the case with colds and flu. (5)
It is also indicated to relieve stress and anxiety , also favoring an improvement in the quality of sleep even in children and pregnant women .
However, pregnant women can only use this drink from the fourth month of pregnancy, when the risk of malformation and miscarriage is reduced. (6)
It is also necessary to take some care when taking the infusion, as melissa cannot be consumed by people who have allergies to plants of the same family, such as mint.
In addition, because of its sedative effect , the tea cannot be taken before driving or surgery, as it interferes with anesthesia. (7)
After seeing the benefits of this sweet tea, now it’s time to learn how to prepare it!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 8 dried leaves or 1 tablespoon of melissa leaves.
Preparation method:
Boil the water and the fire off add the lemon balm. Leave the drink to steep for five minutes. Then, just strain and drink, without having to add any sweetener.
4. Hibiscus
Another type of infusion that is rich in glycosides and therefore has a sweeter flavor is hibiscus tea .(8) The flowers of the Hibiscus sabdariffa , part used in the preparation, produce a tea with an intense red color and very aromatic, which brings several health benefits.
Among the main beneficial effects are the reduction of cholesterol and the accumulation of fat in the organs, and the control of blood pressure. All of these problems are linked to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
The infusion is also beneficial to the kidneys , as it has a diuretic action that increases the excretion of harmful substances and reduces fluid retention. In addition to protecting the brain, due to the action of vitamins B1 and B2, and assisting in the weight loss process. (9)
Some research also indicates that hibiscus tea helps alleviate pain and reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer, as well as regulate glucose levels in the body.
However, the sweet taste doesn’t mean that anyone can take the herb and in large amounts.
For example, tea should not be offered to children, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding, as it can harm the development of the fetus and child.
In addition, it has the power to potentiate the effects of some types of medications, such as diuretics and hypertensives. Therefore, it should be avoided by those who use them.(8)
One of the advantages of hibiscus tea is that it can be consumed hot or iced . Here’s how to do it!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 1 teaspoon of dried hibiscus flowers.
Preparation method:
Bring the water to the fire and when it starts to bubble, turn it off. Then add the hibiscus flowers and cover, letting the drink steep for about five minutes.
Afterwards, just strain and drink it hot or wait for it to cool and add ice. As the drink is one of the sweetest teas you don’t need to sweeten it.
Do these teas inhibit the craving for sweets?
Yes , these teas can help control the craving for sweet things. In the case of fennel and hibiscus this is because they are able to regulate blood sugar levels .
Thus, the body does not need to ingest excess nutrients, which reduces the daily intake. (1.8)
Lemon balm, chamomile and also fennel are potent natural tranquilizers and anxiolytics. That is, they reduce anxiety and stress, which are some of the main factors for the compulsion to eat sugary things.(2, 4, 6)
Therefore, whenever you feel like eating sweets, try having a cup of one of these teas, but always following all precautions and contraindications.
