Tea and Health
The Chinese have long considered tea to be a healthy drink. In recent years, we have become more aware of the health benefits drinking tea. The benefits range from catechins (found in green tea) which may reduce the breakdown of cartilage to the presence of polyphenols, the compounds that can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Also, the flavonoids existing in green and black teas (the natural compounds that give tea its flavor) act as antioxidants to protect the lining of the blood vessels.
Can Tea Time Increase One’s Lifetime?
Lifestyle-related diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, are also characterized as aging-related diseases, where aging may be the most potent causal factor. In light of this, prevention of lifestyle-related diseases will depend on slowing the aging process and avoiding the clinical appearance of the diseases.
Green tea is now accepted as a cancer preventive on the basis of numerous in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies. In addition, green tea has also been reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Scientific research results indicate that daily consumption of green tea in sufficient amounts will help to prolong life by avoiding pre-mature death, particularly death caused by cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Drinking 4 -5 cups of tea a day may have a beneficial effect on two long established heart disease risk factors: high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Tea is rich in substances with antioxidant properties as well as vitamins and minerals. As with fruit and vegetables, these have been shown to guard against heart attacks, strokes and angina.
What are Antioxidants?
Tea contains a group of chemicals classified as flavonoids. They have strong antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help to defend the body from, and repair the damage caused by, free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules which are the by-products of the body's oxygen processing system. When left unchecked they have been implicated in the slow chain reaction of damage leading to heart disease and cancer.
Cancer Prevention
There is considerable research taking place to discover whether these antioxidants can help prevent many common cancers as well as coronary heart disease. Scientists are specifically looking at the effects of drinking tea on breast, colon and lung cancer. It's in the early days of research, but the initial findings look encouraging.
Oral Hygiene
Tea has a natural fluoride content and therefore tea drinking can help prevent dental cavities. Plaque which causes gum disease can be decreased by tea drinking.
General Health
It's vital to drink at least two pints of fluid a day to prevent dehydration. Drinking tea can make a valuable contribution to the body's fluid intake. Tea also helps the body's digestive system. So it's the ideal drink after a heavy meal. Tea taken with milk also contributes valuable vitamins to the diet: riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamins B6 and B1. But perhaps the best thing about tea is that it's a completely natural product - free from calories, colouring, preservatives, sugars, artificial flavourings or other additives.