13 Reasons You Need to Drink Tea Every Single Day

Behind water, tea ranks as the most popular drink in the world, says National Geographic. Farmers first harvested the leaves in China in 2700 B.C., three millenniums before coffee. Now, the worldwide favorite beats out Coca-Cola and even beer as the people's drink of choice.

When it comes time for an afternoon pick-me-up, the vending machine has met its match. "While tea is no 'weight loss elixir,' replacing sugary juices and sodas with unsweetened tea is an excellent choice for weight-loss and hydration," says Jaclyn London, R.D., Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

So what makes tea so special? Plant-based polyphenols provide a big dose of antioxidants, those magical compounds you always hear about. "They've been linked to a whole host of health benefits, including reducing your risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes," London says.

Drinking a cup a day can also keep dementia at bay concludes recent research at the National University of Singapore. Scientists found that tea consumption reduces the risk of cognitive decline in seniors by 50%, and as much as 86% for those genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's.

Tea might even help cheat death, according to a 2014 study. Scientists from the European Society of Cardiology found that it significantly reduced non-cardiovascular mortality. While tea drinkers may lead healthier lifestyles to begin with, researchers "honestly recommend tea drinking rather than coffee drinking, and even not drinking anything at all."

There's nothing quite like snuggling up with a relaxing read and a strong cuppa. To make the perfect one, the Good Housekeeping Institute recommends using high-quality loose-leaf teas, like Harney & Sons. As for technique, always pour hot water over the leaves. It boosts both the taste and the antioxidant content.

According to a small study by the American Chemical Society, the herbal drink can help relieve minor ailments. While you shouldn't throw out your cold medicine just yet, another government-sponsored analysis also found the flower-powered beverage could stimulate the immune system.

Time and time again, scientists have connected brain benefits with green tea. One Swiss study from 2014 found the brew enhances the working memory, which is responsible for decision-making and reasoning.

Fire up your electric kettle more often, and you'll have tons of pretty vessels for impromptu flower arranging or DIY candles. Extra health benefits and fresh peonies? It's a win-win.

Monday mornings wouldn't happen without it, but everybody's favorite energizer provides some perks of its own. Experts at John Hopkins University and the Women's Health Initiative independently connected the compound with brain-boosting powers, although don't use that as an excuse to guzzle energy drinks, mind you.

According to a 2009 study in the Journal of Periodontology, green tea helps promote healthy teeth and gums, thanks to those antioxidants again. Both green and black varieties also beat out tooth-eroding alternatives like soda and OJ, says a 2008 study in General Dentistry.

U.S. Department of Agriculture research reports that the bright red brew may benefit pre- or mildly-hypertensive adults. And according to the Centers for the Disease Control, 1 in 3 adults falls in that danger zone, so get sipping.

Afternoon tea simply calls for fresh scones (and clotted cream, if you're a real Anglophile), but true devotees won't just pull out their mixing bowls more often. Double up and make some Earl Grey Tea Bread to go with your (what else) Earl Grey.