A cold glass of iced tea on a warm summer day is often thought to be the quintessential refreshing beverage. Besides being a tasty refreshment, tea also offers several health benefits.

Find four ways to enjoy a lightened up version of iced tea:

1. Getting a Caffeine Boost from Tea: For a caffeine boost, try brewing a cup of Republic of Tea's Gingermint Green Tea. Each tea bag has 50 mg caffeine, which is about what you get in a 12-ounce Diet Coke.
2. Green Tea: Research suggests that drinking four cups of antioxidant-rich green tea daily can help improve skin elasticity, texture and hydration, as well as increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin. The antioxidants in green tea are also great for heart health and reducing inflammation.
   If you find the taste of green tea bitter, try a variety with a fruit flavor that can mask the flavor of the green tea a bit, like berry, peach, or ginger.
3. Matcha Tea: Matcha is a finely milled green tea powder – the entire tea leaf is ground and dissolved into water, not strained out like regular tea leaves.
   Bright green in color, matcha is rich in nutrients including L-theanine, an amino acid that can enhance mental alertness and relaxation (without causing drowsiness). It's also typically higher in catechins (EGCG), the antioxidant-rich polyphenols thought to be a key factor in the health benefits of green tea.
   Try a teaspoon or two of matcha powder stirred into hot water for a traditional matcha tea, or add it to your favorite smoothies or lattes. You can also incorporate matcha into soups, purees, salad dressings, and even hot cereals like oatmeal.
4. Iced Tea and Lemonade: Mix up a traditional Arnold Palmer with half iced tea and half lemonade.
   Some lower sugar options for the lemonade portion of this drink are:

• Vitamin Water Zero - Squeezed
• Hint Water – Lemon Cayenne
• Nuun Active Tablets – Lemon-Lime
• Skinny Lemonade

Happy Sipping!