The health benefits of tea

There's compelling evidence that indicates that tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease and possibly even help prevent certain cancers and even Alzheimer's disease. One 2002 Saudi study, reported in the journal Preventive Medicine, studied tea drinking in a group of over 3,000 people. Those who drank more than 6 cups of tea a day, showed a significantly lower prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD). Researchers concluded “These findings support a potential protective effect of tea consumption in relation to CHD”.

Tea is loaded with polyphenols and flavonoids. Studies suggest these antioxidants seek out cell-damaging free radicals and destroy them. Tea also has potent antioxidants, especially the class known as catechins, which studies show promotes healthy blood flow. A Japanese study of 1,000 people over 70 found that those who drank the most green tea showed the least signs of the cognitive decline associated with ageing.  

For those warm weather months why not try a refreshing alternative: sun tea! Also known as iced tea, this thirst-quenching version can offer the perfect summer cuppa.

Tea is considered a “superfood”, whether it's black, green, white, or oolong tea. All those tea types come from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis, the leaves are simply processed differently. Green tea leaves are not fermented; they are withered and steamed. Black tea and oolong tea leaves undergo a crushing and fermenting processes. White tea is picked before the leaves fully open and undergoes little processing.

All teas from the Camellia plant are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that detoxify cell-damaging free radicals in the body. Tea has about eight to 10 times the polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables, according to long-time tea researcher Dr. 
John Weisburger, senior researcher at the Institute for Cancer Prevention in New York.

Studies of humans, animals and petri-dish experiments, have shown that tea is highly beneficial to our health. Research suggests that regular tea drinkers, people who drink two cups or more a day, have less heart disease and fewer strokes, lower total and LDL “bad” cholesterol and recover from heart attacks faster. There's also evidence that shows tea may help fight ovarian and breast cancers.

Tea also helps soothe stress and keeps us relaxed. One recent study found that people who drank black tea were able to de-stress faster than those who drank a tea substitute. The tea drinkers had lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

The secret ingredient in tea

Catechins, a type of disease-fighting flavonoid and antioxidant, are the key to tea's health benefits. Here's a tip: the longer you brew the tea, the more flavonoids you'll get in your cup.

To get the best tea benefits, some studies suggest drinking three cups each day to cut heart disease risk. Since iced tea is diluted, it's a lighter source of flavonoids, but it still counts.

In the long run, drinking tea may help to increase the antioxidants you get during the course of your day.

Making iced tea

Get a clear glass jar of any size: the glass lets the sun in and doesn't give tea any strange odours or tastes that come from plastic.

Use black tea: use two teabags per pint of cold water

Find a sunny spot in your garden or beneath a window for your iced tea  jar. Let it soak up the sun's rays for about three hours. Remove tea bags. Pour over ice for a refreshing drink.