Tea is making a huge comeback in our largely coffee-fueled society and the leader of the pack has been the green variety for a while now, but why? What’s so great about green tea anyway?

According to Harvard Medical School, drinking tea is good for you because of its high content of flavonoids, which are plant-derived antioxidant compounds. Green tea is the best food source of a group of these compounds, called catechins, which have been proven to be more powerful antioxidants than vitamins C and E. On top of that, studies have shown that drinking green tea can help reduce your risk of heart disease and several cancers.

Studies have also shown drinking green tea can be good for your brain. One Swiss study revealed that green tea drinkers had greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains. Another showed that it helped block the formation of plaques linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

What’s the best way to drink green tea?

Drinking a few cups a day is the preferred way to enjoy the benefits of green tea. It’s best to make it yourself at home. Let it steep for three to five minutes to release the healthy compounds, and drink it right away after brewing.

Flying with Delta soon? You can also try our green tea in-flight! Happy sipping!