We all love tea. It is a British tradition like no other. And so hardly surprising that there is often a lot of research into the health and nutrition benefits, or lack of, for this hot drink.
But according to this latest research, tea really is good for your health. To reap the health benefits of tea you need to drink three cups a day, according to Simon Gibbons, Professor of Phytochemistry at the University of London School of Pharmacy.
He suggests drinking one cup in the morning, one at midday and one in the evening.
There are four main types of tea leaves – black (varieties like English Breakfast and Earl Grey), green, white and Oolong. They all contain antioxidants which we have all heard can be good for your health. And herbal infusions, which do not contain tea leaves, but have many health-giving properties.
One problem though – you can’t have milk. Adding milk prevents our bodies from accessing the valuable antioxidant qualities in the tea due to the proteins it contains. Apparently, though sugar does not have the same blocking effect, although then we still have the problem of the sugar rotting your teeth!
So what is the evidence?
REDUCE STROKE RISK: A 15-year study in the Netherlands found a strong link between regular consumption of tea made with black tea leaves drunk without milk and reduced risk of stroke. Researchers concluded that the flavonoids (nutrients with anti-oxidant properties) found in high concentrations in black tea helped reduce the production of LDL, the ‘bad’ cholesterol that can cause arteries to narrow, increasing the chance of stroke or heart attack.
A study in the USA found that five servings of black tea per day reduced LDL cholesterol by 11 per cent. The flavonoids also improve the functioning of blood vessels.
AID DIGESTION: Green tea - made from unprocessed tea leaves - stimulates intestinal muscle contractions, thereby moving food through the system. It can also help with weight loss: green tea has been found to block the absorption of bad fats by up to 30%. Ginger tea is said to relieve nausea and is commonly recommended for morning sickness.
BRAIN FUNCTION: Black tea can help you concentrate. A study at the University of Northumbria found that caffeine in black tea leaves improves cognitive skills. In a test, those who drank two cups performed better than those who drank placebo tea.
A study by scientists at Imperial College found that those who drink more than 100ml of tea (or coffee) a day appeared to have a 34% lower risk of being diagnosed with a glioma, the most common type of brain tumour.
ANTI-CANCER: Tea contains polyphenols, antioxidants that can stop cancer cells growing. Tea has about eight to ten times the polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables. Green tea is especially high in polyphenols.
A recent study in Taiwan found that drinking one cup of green tea a day can reduce the risk of lung cancer, particularly for those carrying a certain gene. It is also thought to slow the progress of prostate cancer and to reduce the risk of stomach cancer.
Oolong tea has even more polyphenols than either black or green. However, drinking tea too hot, at 70C or more, can raise the risk of throat cancer.
BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM: A study at Harvard University used blood tests to compare the immune function of tea drinkers with that of non-tea drinkers and found that those drinking five or six cups of black tea a day had an enhanced immune system.
Chemicals known as alkylamines that are found in tea are also present in some bacteria and parasites. It is thought that by drinking tea we prime our immune cells to recognise these alkylamines and be ready to fight them.
Ginger tea is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and can stimulate circulation. It also has an analgesic effect - one study found that, if taken at the onset of a migraine, it can help to relieve pain.
INSOMNIA AND ANXIETY: Insomnia is often caused by anxiety so herbs with calming properties are ideal. Chamomile has long been used to promote sleepiness as it contains chrysin, a chemical believed to relieve anxiety and promote drowsiness, and tryptophan, an amino acid known for its tranquillising effects. Lavender tea, made from dried lavender flowers, relaxes and soothes both mind and body.
DENTAL HEALTH: Although drinking black tea, particularly without milk, can discolour teeth, confusingly it can also protect them. This is because the polyphenols reduce plaque formation and protect against bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities. White tea and green tea also give protection from these bacteria. But fruit teas are acidic and can erode tooth enamel so choose your teas carefully if you want to look after your teeth at the same time.
So what does this have to do with travel? Well I don’t know about you, but I often feel that tea tastes different when I am on holiday – it is probably to do with all kinds of things like the hardness/softness of the water, the amount of time the tea is brewed, or even the different milk. However, it seems we should persevere with drinking tea while we are on holiday, because all the evidence points to how tea is good for you.
But what do you think? Do you drink tea while you are on holiday? Or avoid it because it ‘doesn’t taste the same’? Would love to know what you think…
