The month of January is National Hot Tea Month. What a perfect companion to all those ``I’m gonna be healthier this year’’ resolutions! You know the resolutions … lose weight, eat right, get/be fit, reduce stress, drink less alcohol, quit smoking. Am I right? Every year the same things, but my! How things have changed since the simple Babylonian tradition of returning borrowed farm equipment!

You may be interested in how tea can assist you in sticking to those resolutions. Many of this months posts will deal with the health benefits of tea and how they relate specifically to these resolutions. There are far too many benefits to list in one post, and so many facets to each benefit.

Let’s start with the most popular resolution of all time – ``I’m going to lose weight”, as Jan 1 – 7 is officially ``Diet Resolution Week’’. The truth of the matter is there is really only one effective way to lose weight and keep the weight off – burn more calories than you take in. This is best accomplished through a combination of correct diet and exercise. It’s just that simple.

So where does tea come in? Here’s the most basic answer. Tea is calorie-free, fat-free, carbohydrate-free, gluten-free with no added colors or preservatives. Tea can make you feel full which means you may take in fewer calories overall. Tea can satisfy a craving for dessert, again reducing your total calorie intake. Tea can boost your fat metabolism. Tea can increase your energy level so you are inclined to be more active, burning more calories.