Legend has it that around four thousand, seven hundred years ago, the reigning emperor of China Sheng Nung discovered tea quite by accident one day as he was resting under the shade of a tree. While his servant boiled some water for him, a gust of wind blew around them, causing some leaves from a nearby tea tree to fall into the pot.

When it died down, the emperor became impatient and drank the water inside the pot. To his astonishment, he found it to be quite delicious and so the tradition of drinking tea was born. At least, that was how the legend went.

Regardless of how it began, the practice of drinking tea has been nothing short of a dominating phenomenon. On every part of the world, people drink tea in one way or another and in varying forms and practices. Its delicious taste and intoxicating aroma have inspired the nationally agreed upon Tea time in the UK and the complicated yet graceful tea ceremony in Japan, which has proliferated even further. No drink is more celebrated, more debated and involves more foppish preparation the world over, save perhaps wine. But the taste which attracts connoisseurs and the smell to gather all classes are not all that has made tea the powerhouse drink that it is.

The health benefits of tea have also been proven to be beyond questionable doubt.  In ancient days, it was said that drinking tea could prolong life and give you good health, and modern science has solidified it. With an immense amount of antioxidants which help fight off diseases and promotes the regeneration of healthy cells, tea does indeed allow you to live longer.

Aside from that, studies also show that tea contributes in lowering blood pressure, is seen to be helping to prevent cancer, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, a possible player in reducing damage to the skin due to sunlight such as wrinkles and skin cancer and also adds to your daily essential body fluids. Not to mention that it’s an effective tonic in calming over-excited nerves. And adding to the internal benefits when ingested, tea can also be used to bathe with in treating a myriad of skin conditions, as well as an effective medium to soak your feet when having a bit of odor problems.

With all these benefits on hand, it’s quite easy to see why, after water, tea is the most popular beverage in the world. And with over three thousand varieties available in every corner of the globe, there is no shortage in means to enjoy a cup or two every day. But other than the traditional kind that is added in boiling water which accompanies food in either tea bags or tea leaves, tea has also been added to mainstream sources by converting it into an instant beverage that anyone can enjoy.

Usually this comes in the form of iced tea, bottled tea, tea in can or mixed tea with fruits. Though the nutrition from these might be less than what can be got when preparing it as you would normally, they are still substantial and replaces what is lacking with convenience and ease of access. After all, not everyone is up to the task of properly preparing tea.

So if you are a chronic drinker of sugar loaded, unhealthy beverages and want to make some changes with your lifestyle, drinking tea is as good a start as any. As it can be enjoyed in countless ways, appreciated by all kinds of people, treated with respect that borders on reverence and provides a more robust health in more than way, there really is no reason to not try it. So go ahead and have a sip of the most popular Super food in the world.