Tea is not the first drink you may turn to when you have put your body through its paces. However as more people are turning away from sugary sports drinks , tea offers a multitude of benefits that can help the body recover after low, medium and even intense exercise.

Here are three teas that help to hydrate, repair and enhance your work-out efforts:

1. Green Tea: 

An ideal workout follow-on. Not only does green tea re-hydrate, it also helps improves your metabolism. Green tea is especially rich in natural antioxidants which cleanse the body and maintain blood sugar levels. These antioxidants, which include catechin, aid the metabolic rate, convert body fat to energy, increase energy levels and, crucially, help muscles to recover by reducing inflammation.

Green tea does contain caffeine but unlike coffee it is released in a sustained and more balanced way. This is ideal if you have a busy day ahead of you but don't want that intense jittery feeling.

• Try our jasmine green tea with flowers. A delicate, scented tea that will quench your thirst and make you feel cleansed and invigorated.

2. Oolong Tea: 

Midway between green and black tea semi oxydised leaves have less caffeine and tannin. Oolong tea has the same benefits of green tea, namely reducing muscle pain and inflammation, reducing body fat levels and balancing the metabolic rate. Oolong teas are also used as a relaxant helping to reduce stress levels. A particularly good choice if you are recovering from a high intensity work-out.

• Our Formosa Choicest Oolong is a very high quality tea with a delightfully soft flavour and a satisfying hint of honey. 

3. White tea: 

White tea leaves are left to dry naturally, with nothing added. Delicate white tea is high in polyphenols, which are micro-nutrients packed with antioxidants. EGCC, a powerful antioxidant found in white tea, is reported to slow down the development of new fat cells. A helpful quality if you are looking to lose or maintain a healthy weight.

Refreshing, re-hydrating and also good for the heart. White tea is said to improve blood vessel function and help regulate blood pressure.

• We recommend Yunnan Special White Leaf tea. An open, light green leaf with silvery tips. It produces a mild, soft and very slightly fruity cup, with a flowery aroma.