Tea has gained a lot of publicity lately on its many health benefits. Here is a summary of good articles on the health
benefits of tea.
Studies on Benefits of Green Tea
A
number of research studies demonstrate the many health benefits of
green tea. A study from the University of Kansas showed that green
tea contains high levels of the strongest antioxidant. Also, two
studies showed green tea may help with weight loss. One study showed
that green tea drinkers burn extra calories every day. Another study
revealed that green tea may boost metabolism. Other studies showed
green tea may help strengthen bones, reduce effects of smoking,
prevents cancer.
Tea Drinking May Help Protect Men Against Heart Disease
Men should drink tea as protection against coronary heart disease. Researchers from the University College London demonstrated this finding in a recent study. Heart disease is a leading cause of death for men in western nations. In the study, 75 men between 18 and 55 were split into groups with half drinking tea and the other half a placebo. The tea drinkers lowered levels of stress hormones in the blood.
Black Tea Help Against Cavities and Gum Disease
Drinking
black tea may help lower your dental bills. According to a study from
the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, tea slows
harmful bacteria that create dental plaque. Polyphenols, chemical
compounds in black tea, slowed the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in
plaque and reduced acid production levels. Researchers also found
that polyphenols inhibited glucosyltansferase, an enzyme produced by
bacteria, which prevents dental plaque from adhering to teeth.
Let Tea Brew Longer for More Health
Benefits
How can you get the most health
benefits from a cup of tea? Just the tea brew longer. Higher levels of flavonoids and
antioxidants result when tea is allowed to brew longer, according to a new study from the University
of Aberdeen in Scotland. Flavonoids are compounds found in
plants that help prevent damage to cells. Flavonoids are a class of
antioxidants. Antioxidants generally minimize substances harmful to
the body. All tea contain antioxidants. Researchers made 1 cup of tea and allowed it to brew for 3, 5, 7 and 10 minutes. The levels of flavonoids and
antioxidants increased as the tea was allowed to brew longer. Tea
allowed to steep for 7 minutes had 60% more flavonoids then tea
brewed for 3 minutes.
Tea May Protect Against Skin Cancer
Tea
may help protect
against skin cancer. According to an article in the Journal
of the American Academy of Dermatology, people who regularly drink
tea lower the risk of two common forms of skin cancer: squamous cell or
basal cell carcinoma. Researchers studied over 2,200 adults
and found tea drinkers consuming more than 1 cup a day had a 20 to 30
percent lower chance of getting skin cancer. Tea drinkers consuming
more than 2 ore more cups of tea a day and have been drinking tea for
decades achieved even better results. Even though tea helps lower you
chance
of skin cancer, researchers caution to still take precautions when in
the sun. The study was led by Dr Judy R Rees of
the Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Remember, this
research is preliminary so always make sure to consult your doctor.
| Tea and Caffeine
Do you know how much
caffeine is in a cup of tea? Most people
are confused. Caffeine occurs naturally in coffee, tea and cocoa beans.
It is added to cola to enhance flavor.
Since black and
green tea come from Camellia Sinensis, the tea plant, both contain
caffeine. Most herbal teas are made from herbal blends and contain
no real tea. As a result, most herbal teas are caffeine free.
Chamomile tea is an example of an herbal tea.
Red tea or rooibos, a South African
herb, contains no caffeine and has many of the health benefits as
green tea.
On average, a cup of tea contains 1/3
the caffeine as a cup of coffee. According to the USDA, an 8 ounce
cup of coffee brewed with tap water has 137.7 milligrams of caffeine;
an 8 ounce cup of tea brewed with tap water has 37.5 milligrams of
caffeine; a 16 ounce cola has 49 milligrams of caffeine.
Also, caffeine levels in tea bags and
loose tea are similar. The amount of time you steep the tea is the
biggest factor in determining the level of caffeine.
Tea Tip
In case of emergency and you are
without a decaffeinated teabag but need a cup of decaffeinated
tea, Taylors of Harrogate offers this tip. First, place a standard
tea bag in a cup and fill with boiling water. Then, let the tea steep
for 30 seconds and discard the water.
Most of the caffeine in tea in
released in the first 30 seconds. Next, place the tea bag back in
the cup and re-fill with boiling water and allow to steep for 3 to 5
minutes. Now,
you had a good cup of tea.
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