Jack Bond, opinion editor, is a senior English major from Marion.

This may seem like just a random collection of two foods, but hear me out. What are two of the biggest things college students struggle with? Stress and finances. 

A 2021 study by the American College Health Association found that just over 70% of college students reported moderate to severe psychological distress. Another study in 2015 by Ohio State University found that roughly 70% of college students felt distress over their financial situation.

“But where do beans and tea fit into this?” you ask. Both of them are great when separate, but together they can solve both of these issues.

Tea alone can be a great addition to any diet. While more traditional teas like black and green tea offer antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and boosted immune functions, my money goes mainly toward herbal teas.

Since herbal teas don’t have any caffeine, they are much better for calming down and de-stressing. Various studies have shown the myriad of benefits of various herbal teas. 

You can drink chamomile tea as a sleep aid, ginger tea as an indigestion and nausea remedy, sage tea for cognitive function and hibiscus tea for cardiovascular health. That’s only four teas out of countless varieties, each with their own unique benefits. 

A 16-count bag of each of these teas costs roughly $5. Even if you drink them daily, that’s roughly 2 weeks worth of tea for only $5. Personally, I recommend just sage and chamomile to save money. 

Beans, while not necessarily able to directly help out in the anti-stress department, are more than capable of relieving you of financial troubles. A can of beans costs less than a dollar and only just over a dollar if you’re willing to go organic, which I recommend due to the lower sodium content. 

They make a great ingredient in soups, rice, curries or even by themselves. On top of this, they provide many health benefits by being high in protein and fiber while having zero cholesterol. They are also chock-full of minerals like zinc, iron and calcium.

Both of these foods I will ride and die by. They have helped my wallet and my mental health tremendously. As a college student, I could not imagine living without them at this point.

My collection of teas and beans. The best of each are sage tea and chickpeas, both of which I drink/eat daily.

Categories: Opinion