Drinking iced tea has a long tradition in the South. In fact, it's often called the house wine of the South. If you enjoy iced tea, there's very good news: Tea is brimming with health benefits. Tea can help prevent cancer, heart disease, and other deadly conditions.

The secret to tea's health benefits is in the antioxidants. Tea is rich with polyphenols and catechins, which are both antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body. The good news is that no matter what kind of tea you drink, you are almost certainly getting a good helping of antioxidants. Green tea has a higher level of catechins than black tea, but black tea is still rich in antioxidants that help fight cancer. While convenience teas don't contain as much antioxidants as home brewed tea, they're still at least equal to the antioxidant levels in many fruits and vegetables.

Different studies have shown that tea drinkers tend to have lower blood pressure and lower stress levels. Drinking iced tea also helps prevent cardiovascular disease. People who do suffer from heart attacks tend to recover more quickly if they drink iced tea. Green tea can also fight cancers such as esophageal cancer and colon cancer. Any kind of tea can also boost your overall immunity level. Also, teas contain a fluoride that help keep your teeth resistant to decay.

So not only is tea a great southern tradition, it's good for your health. Whether you drink home brewed tea or bottled convenience tea, drink up! Your body will thank you.