Tea time
Is drinking tea really better for you than drinking water? After studying the positive effects of tea, one British researcher thinks so.
Dr. Carrie Ruxton and investigators at King's College London searched databases for relevant epidemiological and clinical information on tea in studies published between 1990 and 2004. Their review, published online in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that drinking three or more cups of tea a day could reduce the risk of a variety of health problems, ranging from cancer to heart disease.
After gathering the evidence, Dr. Ruxton told Nutraingredients.com that tea's antioxidant properties, linked to its polyphenol content, make it a healthier drink than water. Green tea contains 30 to 40 percent of water-extractable polyphenols and black tea contains 3 to 10 percent.
While green tea has generated more interest as a healthful drink, with consumption linked to a lower cancer risk, weight loss, and protection against Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Ruxton and her colleagues also found benefits to drinking black tea, most notably a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Although they did note a possible slight increase in the risk of colorectal cancer with black tea consumption.
As for the theory that drinking multiple cups of tea could be dehydrating due to its caffeine content, researchers are dismissive, saying the amount in a standard cup of tea (250 mg) wouldn't be enough to cause a problem. Sources: Nutraingredients.com: Europe, 8/25/06 |
