Tea Drinking – Some Health Facts:

• Black Tea and Health
Recent studies indicate the compounds contained in black tea - theaflavins and thearubigens – not only contribute to the dark color and distinctive flavor but they represent potential molecules with therapeutic implication. Polyphenolic compounds present in black tea can protect cells and tissues from oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals. Synergistic interactions amongst black tea constituents play a major role in the beneficial effect of tea. Number of studies with black tea have demonstrated that plasma antioxidant capacity gets enhanced, ∼1 h after consumption of moderate amounts of tea.

• Neurological Disease
Reports suggest that Black tea could lower the incidence of Parkinsons disease, Theanine present in black tea increases alpha brain wave activity resulting in calmer state of mind and it also reduces stress.

• Diabetes
Tea consumption is said to be associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. It may blunten the spike in sugar level after the meal.

• Cardiovascular disease
Black tea is said to reduce the risk of heart problems by cutting levels of bad cholesterol and blood sugar. Studies have shown that there is risk reduction of coronary heart disease at intakes > 3 cups tea per day.

• Cancer
Studies suggest that Tea polyphenolics inhibit tumor cell proliferation. In addition, tea polyphenols may protect against damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) B radiation. Theaflavin and catechins modulate immune system function..

• Osteoporosis
Studies suggest that tea may positively influence bone mineral density (BMD) and that tea drinking may protect against osteoporosis in older women.

• Gastric ulcer
Tea does not cause acidity . Studies have revealed it reduces the incidence of ulcer, in experimental animals .

• Anti HIV Agent
Theaflavins in tea are potent anti-HIV-1 compounds. They inhibit HIV-1 entry into target cells.

• Oral health
Random surveys have reported that black tea reduces the incidence of dental cavities. Polyphenols in tea inhibit bacterial growth and wards off mouth infections. Tea is a natural source of fluoride, therefore helping to promote healthy tooth enamel. Also, tannins present in black tea inhibit the growth of plaque-causing bacteria apart from inhibiting the action of salivary amylase, thus making their contribution in cavity prevention.

• Immune defense
By making tea a common part of your everyday food intake you can build up your immunity. Tea won't keep you complete safe from getting sick but it can help.

• Anti aging
Being a very high source of antioxidants, black tea is said to slow down aging process and age induced diseases.

1) Tea contains Antioxidants. 
Like the Rust-Oleum paint that keeps your outdoor furniture from rusting, tea's antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution.

2) Tea has less Caffeine than Coffee. 
Coffee usually has two to three times the caffeine of tea (unless you're a fan of Morning Thunder, which combines caffeine with mate, an herb that acts like caffeine in our body). An eight-ounce cup of coffee contains around 135 mg caffeine; tea contains only 30 to 40 mg per cup. If drinking coffee gives you the jitters, causes indigestion or headaches or interferes with sleep -- switch to tea.

3) Tea may Reduce your Risk of Heart Sttack and Stroke. 
Unwanted blood clots formed from cholesterol and blood platelets cause heart attack and stroke. Drinking tea may help keep your arteries smooth and clog-free, the same way a drain keeps your bathroom pipes clear. A 5.6-year study from the Netherlands found a 70 percent lower risk of fatal heart attack in people who drank at least two to three cups of black tea daily compared to non-tea drinkers.

4) Tea Protects your Bones.
 It's not just the milk added to tea that builds strong bones. One study that compared tea drinkers with non-drinkers, found that people who drank tea for 10 or more years had the strongest bones, even after adjusting for age, body weight, exercise, smoking and other risk factors. The authors suggest that this may be the work of tea's many beneficial phytochemicals.

5) Tea gives you a Sweet Smile. 
One look at the grimy grin of Austin Powers and you may not think drinking tea is good for your teeth, but think again. It's the sugar added to it that's likely to blame for England's bad dental record. Tea itself actually contains fluoride and tannins that may keep plaque at bay. So add unsweetened tea drinking to your daily dental routine of brushing and flossing for healthier teeth and gums.

6) Tea Bolsters your Immune Defenses. 
Drinking tea may help your body's immune system fight off infection. When 21 volunteers drank either five cups of tea or coffee each day for four weeks, researchers saw higher immune system activity in the blood of the tea drinkers.

7) Tea protects against Cancer. 
Thank the polyphenols, the antioxidants found in tea, once again for their cancer-fighting effects. While the overall research is inconclusive, there are enough studies that show the potential protective effects of drinking tea to make adding tea to your list of daily beverages.

8) Tea helps keep you Hydrated. 
Caffeinated beverages, including tea, used to be on the list of beverages that didn't contribute to our daily .fluid needs. Since caffeine is a diuretic and makes us pee more, the thought was that caffeinated beverages couldn't contribute to our overall fluid requirement. However, recent research has shown that the caffeine really doesn't matter -- tea and other caffeinated beverages definitely contribute to our fluid needs. The only time the caffeine becomes a problem as far as fluid is concerned is when you drink more than five or six cups of a caffeinated beverage at one time.

9) Tea is Calorie - Free. 
Tea doesn't have any calories, unless you add sweetener or milk. Consuming even 250 fewer calories per day can result in losing one pound per week. If you're looking for a satisfying, calorie-free beverage, tea is a top choice.

10) Tea Increases your Metabolism. 
Lots of people complain about a slow metabolic rate and their inability to lose weight. Green tea has been shown to actually increase metabolic rate so that you can burn 70 to 80 additional calories by drinking just five cups of green tea per day. Over a year's time you could lose eight pounds just by drinking green tea. Of course, taking a 15-minute walk every day will also burn calories.