9 Impressive Benefits of Ceylon Tea

 

There are impressive benefits of ceylon tea, including its ability to aid in weight loss, protect against chronic illness, boost heart health, increase energy levels, strengthen the immune system, improve the appearance of the skin, moderate diabetic symptoms, and prevent kidney stones.

Ceylon Tea

You may not be familiar with the term ceylon tea, possibly because you’ve never heard of Ceylon – the formal name of Sri Lanka until 1972. Tea production in this country is impressive and is responsible for over $1.5 billion of global tea sales. The excellent terrain and temperature of Sri Lanka make it an ideal location to grow this tea, and it comes in three varieties – black, green, and white. You can find ceylon tea all over the world, but many people may simply mistake it for regular old black tea. Black ceylon tea is the most common form and has a mild flavor that is reminiscent of citrus fruits.

Green ceylon tea has a more pungent, nutty flavor than its black counterpart, and has the highest level of antioxidants since these tea leaves are unfermented. Finally, white ceylon tea is the most expensive and rarest form and is prepared, harvested, and processed by hand, along with being allowed to dry in the sun, giving it a sweeter, more pleasant flavor than the other two varieties.
Essentially, any tea that comes from Sri Lanka is called ceylon tea, and it is widely praised around the world for its high polyphenolic content, which bestows a number of health benefits on those who regularly consume this tea leaf variety.

More specifically, ceylon tea is believed to have a warming influence on the body, and always has a slightly tangy taste, which sets it apart from other varietals on the market. The flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenolic compounds in ceylon tea have made it a popular remedy for a wide variety of ailments and afflictions, and can even be used in topical applications for certain issues.

Health Benefits of Ceylon Tea

Let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of ceylon tea.

Weight Loss

One of the best things about ceylon tea is its ability to stimulate the metabolism, making it a precious tool for those attempting to lose weight. By speeding up the metabolism, your body naturally burns fat faster, even if you don’t change other aspects of your lifestyle or workout regimen. This means that by giving your metabolism a morning boost with ceylon tea, you will have more energy for even more activities, which may further increase your calorie-burning efforts!

Boosts Immunity

Across the board, ceylon tea can help to promote a healthier body, starting with the immune system. By improving the response time of the immune system to pathogens and foreign agents, ceylon tea can better prepare the body to fight off illness. Furthermore, the antioxidants found in ceylon tea generally reduce oxidative stress and the presence of free radicals within the body, which can help the immune system focus on the important things, like keeping you protected from infections!

Protects the Heart

Ceylon tea possesses a measurable amount of potassium, which is a crucial element of heart health since it functions as a vasodilator. This means that it relaxes the tension in blood vessels and arteries, allowing your blood pressure to decrease to normal, healthy levels and reduce the strain on your heart. A cup of ceylon tea to start each day, along with a potassium-rich fruit like bananas, can do wonders for your long-term heart health.

Increases Energy

Sri Lanka used to be a major coffee-producing nation, but a lot of that infrastructure has shifted to making tea. However, ceylon tea and Sri Lankan coffee share an important characteristic – caffeine. By providing your body with a healthy dose of caffeine, this tea can boost your cognitive acuity and attention, and also pull you out of that morning energy slump. If you drink it at a regular pace, perhaps 2-3 cups over the course of the day, you’ll also avoid the terrible caffeine crash that you so often get from coffee.

Skin Care

Some of the antioxidants that have been identified in ceylon tea are specifically linked to reducing collagen loss in the skin by preventing oxidative stress in the surrounding cells. Collagen is important for skin elasticity, namely preventing the appearance of wrinkles and keeping the skin taut and strong. By preventing oxidative stress in this way, you can prevent premature aging, eliminate those pesky wrinkles, and also promote healthier blemish-free skin.

Eliminates Kidney Stones

Research has connected the consumption of black tea to a decreased risk of developing kidney stones. This is believed to be connected to both the caffeine content and antioxidants present within this miraculously delicious and beneficial tea variety!

Regulates Diabetes Symptoms

Drinking ceylon tea has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels, which is particularly important for people who suffer from diabetes. By helping to regulate the glucose and insulin levels in the body, ceylon tea can prevent the spikes and drops that can be dangerous for those who struggle with diabetes.

Prevents Chronic Illness

The impressive antioxidant range that ceylon tea possesses makes it a powerful aid to human health in many ways. Specifically, the theaflavins and thearubigins found in this tea are known to directly counteract the spread of cancer and can prevent cellular mutation and oxidative stress. In order to prevent chronic diseases, like cancer, ceylon tea can be a great line of defense to boost the responsiveness of your immune system.

Word of Caution: Due to the notable content of caffeine found in this tea, it is not recommended that pregnant women consume it, as this can lead to complications in the pregnancy, not to mention the fact that most babies cannot process caffeine in utero. Furthermore, if you have anxiety problems, adding caffeine to your diet isn’t always the best option. However, in low-caffeine doses (steeping for short periods of time), ceylon tea can help to eliminate some of the factors that may be causing you stress. As always, it is best to speak with your doctor before adding a new herbal treatment to your normal dietary or health regimen.

Categories: Drink, Green Tea, Health Tips, Tea

Health Benefits Of Ceylon Tea

Health Benefits Of Ceylon Tea

Ceylon tea is famous around the globe for its unique taste and qualities, it has distinctive qualities and a recognition around the world for being one the best teas manufactured and holds its own in the international market among teas produced in other countries. The splendid weather conditions in Sri Lanka and the rich history surrounding Ceylon Tea are some of the factors that contributes to its greatness.

There are several types of Ceylon Teas that are produced, the most commonly known of course is Ceylon Black tea. It is highly regarded around the globe for its rich color and the strong flavor with citrus overtones. Ceylon Black Tea has more caffeine compared to other teas produced.

Ceylon Green Tea is known to have a vastly different flavor to that of green teas produced around the world. Its flavor is quite strong and leafy and also darker in color, where as Ceylon White Tea carries a rather sweet flavor with overtones of honey and is light in color. White tea is known to be the priciest tea produced in Sri Lanka, it is also know as 'Silver Tips'.With these distinctive qualities Ceylon Tea is also known to have a voluminous amounts of health benefits.

Health Benefits of Ceylon Black Tea.

Ceylon Black Tea has many health benefits. It is known that Ceylon Black Tea contains less caffeine than coffee and is an excellent booster for your immune system. Black tea is known to be an excellent defense against cancer, the theaflavins and the thearubigins present in black tea are well known anti-oxidants that help to fight free radicals that can damage DNA which causes cancer in your body.

Consuming black tea regularly can decrease your chances of heart diseases. The anti-oxidants found in black tea can help in lowering cholesterol levels inside blood vessels, thereby avoiding high blood pressure and strokes. These anti-oxidants can also help in reducing the size of tumors.

Like green tea, Ceylon Black tea helps in mental alertness and acuity which is a result of an increase of alpha-wave activity in your brain. The daily consumption of black tea is helpful in keeping you safe from viruses and bacteria and it also reduces the chances of you catching influenza and boosts your immune system to prevent you catching any other diseases. Ceylon black tea is also know to reduce stress in you system.

Health Benefits Of Ceylon Green Tea

As we now know that Ceylon Green Tea has a stronger flavor, it is safe to say that it contains copious amounts of anti-oxidants, more than black tea for that matter. Green tea is famously known to increase your metabolism which ultimately results in burning unwanted fat in your body.

Green tea has a vast amounts of anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities. Its daily consumption has proven to reduce osteoporosis. The anti-oxidants found in green tea has been proven to help reduce bone loss and in turn increase bone building muscles.

Green tea is also known to reduce oral health problems. The catechins present in green tea can kill bacteria and viruses that causes soar throats, dental cavities, gum diseases, and bad breath.

Green Tea improves brain functions and protects your brain during old age. The catechins present in green tea has protective effects on neurons which in turn can reduce risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Green tea is also know widely to reduce risk of heart diseases and cancer. The catechins found in green tea stalls cell mutation and reduces the risk of tumors being formed. Like wise these catechins also help in relaxing your blood vessels and giving it an even flow and prevents clots from forming which reduces the risk of heart attacks.

Health Benefits Of White Tea

The amount of caffeine present in White tea is less compared to green and black tea and has more anti-oxidants. Since white tea is processed less it has all the nutrients in tact and is the healthiest of teas. The health benefits are similar to that of green tea but its effectiveness is doubled due it the nutrients present.

White tea can help you reduce stress and anxiety this is due to the amino acid called Theanine. It can calm your nerves and is also well known o prevent depression.

Like Green Tea, Ceylon white tea is also a great fat burner, the rich amounts of poly phenols help reduce fat accumulation and increase your metabolism. Just like green tea, it is also helpful in reducing risk of heart disease, lowering levels of cholesterol, help build stronger bones, and kills bacteria and virus present in you body. White tea has properties that help in reducing your blood sugar which in turn reduces risk of diabetes.

Ceylon Tea has qualities and benefits that are essential to your life. Next time substitute your cup of coffee for a delicious cup of Ceylon Tea and enjoy the benefits it has to offer.

Categories: Ceylon Tea, Green Tea, Health Tips, Tea

TEA AND HEALTH

Tea and Health 

The function of tea and natural, bioactive compounds in tea, as elements in a healthy lifestyle is best explained by the first line in Kakuzo Okakura’s 1906 philosophical treatise on tea, The Book of Tea. Okakura sums up the historical and ancient belief in tea as more than just a pleasing beverage by writing, “Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage…” 

Scientific research confirms what Asians believed for centuries – that green and black tea contain powerful natural antioxidants which can protect regular tea drinkers from many degenerative diseases. 

The main degenerative diseases of concern today are heart disease, high blood pressure stroke, cancer and diabetes. Studies have shown that the antioxidant activity of flavonoids in green and black tea reduces the risk of many degenerative diseases and help maintain good oral heath. 

Tea and Heart disease 

Regular consumption of correctly brewed tea, has been shown to reduce oxidation of fat. Studies suggest that green and black tea are equally effective in this respect.

Catechins in green tea, theaflavins and thearubigins in black tea were shown to have the ability of inhibit lipid oxidation and plaque formation (which can lead to heart disease), whilst reducing cholesterol. Regular consumption of tea has also been associated with reduced blood clotting. Blood clotting increases the risk of coronary thrombosis.

Tea extracts and tea polyphenols can inhibit the platelet aggregation to a certain degree, thereby reducing the risk of thrombosis. Both Green and Black Tea also improve endothelial function (vasoconstriction and vasodilation – the control of blood pressure, atherosclerosis, formation of new blood vessels -angiogenesis). 

 Tea and Cancer

Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that polyphenols in green and black tea can directly react and neutralize chemical carcinogens thereby reducing the risk of cancer. It has also been shown that tea increases the activity of detoxifying enzymes which are naturally found in the human body. 

The anticarcinogenic potential of tea is based on the ability of tea flavonoids to interact with the active carcinogens and make them inactive. In vitro and in vivo research indicates that tea and tea polyphenols inhibit initiation and later stages in the development of carcinogens. Regular consumption of tea – especially fresh tea – decreases the growth rate of tumours whilst preventing the formation of large tumours. 

Tea and Diabetes 

In Type-1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce the required amount of insulin to required amount of insulin to regulate blood glucose. In Type 2 diabetes liver and muscle cells cannot utilize the insulin produced to regulate blood glucose. 

Some plant extracts contains substances, which could mimic the action of insulin and help in managing Type 2 or non-insulin dependant diabetes. The flavonol, myricetin, which is present in green and black tea is found to be able to mimic insulin activity. 

The enzyme alpha-amylase catalyses the conversion of starch in food to glucose in the digestive process. Glucose in the digestive tract is easily absorbed into the blood stream while starch is not absorbed. Polyphenols in tea inhibit alpha-amylase activity and could contribute to reducing blood glucose. Research suggests that tea consumption can be highly beneficial for diabetics. 

Tea and Ageing 

Antioxidants in tea are known for their ability to reduce oxidative stress. Diseases of old age are thought to be the result of attack by Free Radicals. Tea polyphenols inhibit the action of Free Radicals and can contribute to better quality of life for the elderly and also possibly longevity. 

Tea and Oral Health 

Tea contains fluoride therefore tea drinking makes a significant contribution to the daily fluoride intake and to the reduction of tooth decay. It has been found that in addition to fluoride, the polyphenols in tea also act to reduce tooth decay. Recent studies have revealed that tea inhibits the growth of other harmful microorganisms in the mouth. 

In addition to these and other function benefits that are likely in tea, scientists identified a compound called L-theanine in tea. L-theanine is said to be responsible for promoting a feeling of relaxation, whilst maintaining mental alertness. 50mg of L-theanine (contained in two to three cups of tea) can naturally stimulate the brain and bring on refreshed and relaxed sensation. 

How much Tea 

Natural plant derived foods generally contain antioxidants although the antioxidants in green and black tea are much greater than levels found in fruits and vegetables. As a general rule, two cups of tea are equivalent in antioxidant capacity, to five portions of fruit or vegetables. 

Researchers are generally agreed that 5-10 cups of tea are recommended although no adverse effects have been noted from consumption of more than this number. Care should be exercised though by infants, young children at risk of type 1 diabetes, pregnant women, patients on psychoactive drugs or with sensitivity to caffeine, and tea drinkers whose diets are nutritionally not balanced. 

FURTHER READING

• Tissa Amarakoon, Shang Hong Huang & Ranil de Silva. Therapeutic Applications of Ceylon Tea: Potential and Trends [pp. 377- 417 in Yi-Zhun Zhu, Benny K-H Tan, Boon Huat Bay, Chang-Hong Liu (ed.), Natural Products, Essential Resources for Human Survival. World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., 2007]. 
• W.W.D. Modder, A.M.T. Amarakoon. Tea and Health. The Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, 2002. 
• Revelations on the therapeutic qualities of tea have been overwhelming. According to research, there are not many of mankind’s ailments that are untouched by its therapeutic qualities. No other natural or synthetic substance comes even close to tea in terms of benefits across such a multitude of fronts. A panacea it may not be, but there is no denying that in this health conscious era, science is excited by what tea has to offer and has placed it under their microscopes like none other before.

Categories: Health Tips, Tea

How to Differentiate Between Ceylon and Cassia Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of those herbs which have been used in the traditional treatments and medicines for a wide range of ailments since ancient times. Among many other remedies and combination, cinnamon and honey is one of the most useful, effective and easy to use home remedies for several conditions.

You need to pay attention to a very important fact that all cinnamon is no good. Most people do not know it. There is a lot of discussion on the internet on topics like benefits, uses, remedies etc of cinnamon. There is either no or little information about the fact that all cinnamon is not good. There is fake and real, good and bad, toxic and non-toxic! In this article, I have explained all about this and how to choose the right one.

Cassia Cinnamon
This is called cassia, Chinese or Saigon cinnamon. Some people also call it fake cinnamon. It is produced in countries such as Vietnam, China and Indonesia. It is very hot and by chewing a piece you can feel the pungent taste sizzle and flame in your mouth. It shares some of the characteristics with real cinnamon like being anti-microbial, anti-fungal, blood regulation etc. The real problem, however, with the fake cinnamon is that it has a high content of coumarin; in fact, nearly 1200 times higher than found in the real herb. Taking large amount of coumarin is highly toxic and a prolong use may pose several serious health damages.

According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in Germany, coumarin can damage liver and kidneys if taken for longer periods. In case of sensitive individuals, only a small amount can cause damage.

BfR further advises that cassia cinnamon contains high levels of coumarin and should not, therefore, be eaten.

Cassia Cinnamon is a lot cheaper than the real or Ceylon variety. Most cinnamon sold in the supermarket is the Chinese or Cassia variety.

Ceylon Cinnamon
This is also called real, sweet or good cinnamon. It is produced in Sri Lanka from the plant called Cinnamomum Zeylanicum. It is light brown in color and thin and soft in appearance. The sticks are filled like a cigar with several folded layers. The amount of coumarin content is only 0.0004% against 5 % found in Cinnamomum Cassia.

Ceylon Cinnamon

How to Distinguish Between the Two?

In case of ground cinnamon, it is very difficult to distinguish between the two unless you are an expert, especially at sniffing spices. Howler, there is no guarantee that the result will be one hundred percent accurate. However, in case of sticks, it is easier to differentiate between the two. The following table and pictures highlight some of the differences which shall help you to choose the correct type.

Ceylon Cinnamon	Cassian Cinnamon
Soft texture, easily broken	Hard texture Not easily broken
Soft and Sweet aromatic	Pungent and very spicy flavor
Coumarin content 0.0004%	Coumarin content 5%
Generally safe	Toxic if taken in case of prolonged use
Expensive and not found everywhere	A lot cheaper and found in supermarket
Native to Sri Lanka	Native to China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia
Light brown in color	Dark Brown or reddish in color
Soft in appearance	Rough in appearance
Several folds of layer like a cigar	only inward folded. Empty cavity

Most bottled or packaged ground cinnamon does not mention its type or origin. It is, therefore, difficult to ascertain its type and origin or the country or plant. The best course is to identify the sticks and make sure that you are buying the Ceylon variety. Once you get hold of the real “thing” , use your blender to crush it into powder.

Source : http://www.peashealth.com/fake-and-real-cinnamons/

Categories: Cinnamon, Health Tips

The Healing Benefits of CINNAMON & HONEY

Folk remedies have been around a long time for a very good reason-- they work!


Here is another for the folks: CINNAMON & HONEY

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar.  Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey. Make sure your honey is untreated, unprocessed and not heated, in other words get as raw as possible. This will have the greatest benefit. Caution  too much honey of any kind is not good for the body. But a little bit will help some of the following conditions.

The Cinamon should be organic. Chinese medicine says it is warming and nourishing for the Kidneys.

See about different types of Cinnamon:http://www.newrealities.com/index.php/articles-on-health/item/2934-how-to-differentiate-between-ceylon-and-cassia-cinnamon


ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the  Copenhagen  University , it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it.  It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours.  As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.  According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.  To make it lukewarm,  place it in a small jar and let it set in warm water for awhile.

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack.

Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.   In  America and  Canada,  various nursing homes have  treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS: According to the studies done in  India and  Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.


INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA – FLU: A scientist in  Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old might start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water.  If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder.  Do not boil, but pour one cup of boiling water onto the mixture of honey and cinnamon. Generally start off with a teaspoon of each, and then adjust depending on taste. Remember honey is a sugar based product, so teaspoon is best to start with. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
 
SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

CANCER: Research in  Japan and  Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

BAD BREATH: People in  South America first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts helps restore hearing.

CONCLUSION:
It is good to take some sort of mixture of cinnamon and honey daily!

Source : http://www.newrealities.com/index.php/articles-on-health/item/532-the-healing-benefits-of-cinnamon-honey

Categories: Cinnamon, Drink, Health Tips

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is the seed of Myristica fragrance, an evergreen tree that grows up to 60 feet tall. Interestingly, the tree produces both Nutmeg and mace. This is the only tropical fruit that is the source of two different spices. The mature dried seeds of Myristica fragrance are exported both Shelled and unshelled.

The sweet but slightly bitter flavor of Nutmeg adds character to vegetables. Several other commercial products are also produced from the tree, including Essential Oils, Extracted Oleoresins, and Nutmeg Butter.

Grades:-

1. With Shell
2. Without Shell

Specifications:-
       

Requirements
	Types and Grades
	Type 1 (Unshelled)		Type 2 (Shelled)
	Grade1	Grade2	Standard Quality
			Large	Medium	Small
No:of Nuts per Kg	160MAX	161 TO 260	220 Max	221 to 275	276 min
Extraneous Matter % By Mass, Max.	1	1	1	1	1
Nuts with Rattling Sound % By Count, Min	80	70	Not Applicable
Empty Shells & Dust of Nutmeg % By Mass, Max	0.5	0.5	Not Allowed

As Per Sri Lankan Standard Test Methods for Spices & Condiments.

Categories: Health Tips, History, Nutmeg, Spices

The Tea Cup That Heals

Nowadays it often seems as if everything we eat or drink is bad for us in some way. Foods once considered healthy and nourishing contain, we are told, ingredients like carbohydrates, sodium and saturated fats which can cause dreadful diseases when consumed frequently or in excess. Every few days we hear, read or see on television news of some medical discovery exposing the harmful effects of yet another favourite food or beverage, now to be banished from the tables of health-conscious folk. The parade of bad news seems to have no end. So it comes as a relief to learn that one popular beverage, affordable and loved by billions of people around the world, is entirely beneficial and may in fact have preventive and curative health properties when consumed regularly. The beverage, of course, is tea.

Medical benefits have been claimed for tea for as long as it has been drunk. The origins of the ‘cuppa’ are lost to the ages, yet when we first hear of tea it is in a medicinal connection: a Chinese text, The Divine Farmer’s Herb-Root Classic, dating from around 250BC, recommends infusions of tea-leaves for the treatment of tumours, abscesses, bladder ailments and lethargy. Since then, generation after generation of medical authorities have sung the praises of tea; and today, a popular encyclopaedia lists no less than 22 separate claimed health benefits for the beverage, ranging from protection against HIV infection to the elimination of bad breath.

 Health-Promoting Ingredients
Extreme or bizarre claims must, of course, be taken with a grain of salt. Far more trustworthy are the benefits proclaimed or suggested by genuine scientific research. When subjected to chemical analysis, tea turns out to contain a number of ingredients whose health-promoting properties are well established. It is also nutritious: taken with milk, four cups of tea a day can provide:

•    approximately 17% of the recommended intake for calcium
•    5% for zinc
•    22% for Vitamin B2
•    5% for folic acid
•    5% for Vitamins B1 and B6

The manganese and potassium in a cup of tea also helps maintain the body’s fluid balance.
Besides these ingredients, tea contains a unique amino acid, theanine, which has a relaxing effect on humans and also assists the natural immune response to infection. The modest amount of caffeine in tea also acts as a mild mood enhancer.

Antioxidants
Perhaps the most significant health-promoting properties of tea lie in the antioxidants or ‘flavonoids’ it contains. Antioxidants are compounds that help remove harmful toxins from the bloodstream, and tea contains uniquely high concentrations of them. Research has shown that consuming such antioxidants can lower the risk of heart disease, strokes and cancer.
There are also indications that antioxidants in tea may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related memory impairment. Black and green tea both contain higher levels of antioxidants than common fruits or vegetables.

A Fluid Ounce (or Two) of Prevention
Even if we disregard extravagant, scientifically unsupported claims, the established health benefits of tea are numerous. Many of these benefits are preventive, suggesting that a few cups of tea a day can help stave off heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and many forms of cancer.

•    Cancer prevention Animal and in vitro studies have shown that tea polyphenols may react directly with and neutralise chemical carcinogens, including those causing cancers of the skin, lungs, oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, bladder, and prostate. In addition to the antioxidant ‘scavenging’ activity mentioned above, tea polyphenols may also alter enzymes involved in tumour formation, inhibit malignant cell proliferation and act against forms of bacteria that promote gastric cancers. According to some American studies, tea drinking may also protect against breast and ovarian cancers.

•    Tea and heart disease Epidemiological studies have shown that regular tea consumption is linked to decreased risk from heart disease and stroke. While the data from different tests contains some inconsistencies, ‘meta-analyses’ comparing all the available population studies have tended to confirm the relationship, with regular and frequent tea drinkers showing risk levels up to 20% lower than those who do not, or rarely, consume it. Another study suggested that drinking three cups of tea a day reduces the risk of myocardial infarction by 11%.

•    Tea and oral health Containing significant amounts of fluoride, tea can contribute considerably to daily fluoride intake, helping reduce tooth decay. Tea polyphenols may also inhibit the growth of bacteria which cause decay, or make them less harmful to the teeth. Recent research indicates that tea could also inhibit the growth of harmful micro-organisms that cause inflammation and oral diseases, including certain oral cancers.

•    Tea and your digestion It has been found that consumption of tea can reduce the quantity of harmful microorganisms such as Enterobacteriacea found in the digestive tract, simultaneously increasing the number of beneficial ones and promoting digestive health.

Categories: Health Tips, Tea