Just The Tea FAQs: Health Benefits (Part I)

Hands up all those who can't get through the day without their shots of coffee... ah, that's most of us then! Call it an espresso, cappuccino or a regular coffee, if it's not decaffeinated then the caffeine will have our central nervous system jumping to its own coffee beat, that much we know. But, while the jury may still be out as to whether long-term coffee consumption is detrimental to our health, there is an altogether more wholesome alternative readily available in shops, cafes and restaurants near you - tea.

A third lower in caffeine content than coffee, tea is the original health drink. Since before the birth of Christ the people of China have held an appreciation for tea's medicinal qualities, transforming tea growing (and tea drinking) into what can only be described as an art form. More than two thousand years later and Western science is now just starting to prove what the Chinese have known all along - that tea is good for us!

The health benefits of tea
Tea is derived from the buds and leaves of the evergreen tea bush, or Camellia Sinensis to give it its correct Latin name. It is a bush native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of Asia, and is the progenitor of six different types of tea, these being White Tea, Green Tea, Yellow Tea, Oolong Tea, Red Tea and Black Tea. Each tea type is identified by the level of processing - i.e. length of fermentation and firing - that the tea leaves and buds undergo, White Tea (the least processed) and Black Tea (the most processed) positioned at opposite ends of the tea spectrum.

But, regardless of which tea is chosen, each brew of leaves brings with it health protection that even Medicare would be proud of. From stronger teeth and bones to lowering the risk of contracting certain cancers, tea it seems really does have a positive impact upon the health of the people who drink it.

So, why is tea so good for us? According to the latest research it is all down to a trio of health-giving properties that a cup of tea yields: -

Polyphenols
Tea contains some 4000 natural chemical compounds, many of which are classified as polyphenols. Tea polyphenols protect the tea bush and its growing leaves from infection by disease. They also fortify the plant against the harmful effects of UV light, and help the plant's seeds to germinate.

For humans, it is the sub-group of tea polyphenols known as the flavonoids that are the most important in terms of health. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants that cleanse the body of oxygen and nitrogen-based free radicals. These chemical critters, if left unchecked, can cause tissue damage in the human body, accelerating the aging process and opening the door to diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and cataracts. Flavonoids neutralize this threat by interacting with the unpaired electrons in free radicals, thus removing the danger.

In tea, catechins (especially epigallocatechin gallate (ECCG) which can account for up to 50% of catechin content in Green Tea) and tannins are the flavonoids that really walk the walk. As antioxidants they are some 25 - 100 times more effective than vitamin C and vitamin E are, and research studies suggest that their anticarcinogenic properties may help reduce the risk of contracting skin cancer, stomach cancer, oral cancer and colon cancer. Recent work by a Japanese group at the Aichi Cancer Center have even concluded that catechins in Green Tea lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence in its early stages. The biggest result on cancer though has to be in the domain of lung cancer. One study reported that sipping just one cup of Black Tea each day could reduce the risk of lung cancer development by 50%.

Amazingly, the health benefits of tea polyphenols do not stop here. Flavonoids offer protection against heart disease and stroke by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol - the bad cholesterol that is a forerunner to athersclerosis and high blood pressure. In some animal studies tea flavonoids have also been demonstrated to reduce blood lipids and enhance blood vessel performance.

Flavonoids too have antibacterial properties, scientists having proven that tea polyphenols equip us with a greater immunity to bacterial infections such as Salmonella. Even weight watchers have been rejoicing over the past few years since U.S. and Swiss research scientists announced that catechins in Green Tea might promote fat oxidation above and beyond what would normally be expected from caffeine. It has long been realized that tea when taken on its own contains no calories. Now though, tea it seems has found itself in a more central role on some diet regimes around the world!

Fluoride
The second health-giving member of our trio is fluoride. Well known as an effective preventative of tooth decay, fluoride is abundant in tea leaves, the nutrient having been drawn from the soil by the tea shrub during growth. Brewed tea contains between 0.5ppm and 6ppm fluoride; this translates to approximately 0.3mg - 0.5mg of fluoride per standard cup of tea - certainly enough to protect dental cavities against decay. Recent research has also suggested that fluoride in tea may help to keep our bones strong too!

Water
Water is essential for life. It helps our bodies regulate core body temperature and to transport oxygen to our organs. Keeping our water level topped up is an important element of a balanced diet, and it is recommended that 2.5 - 3.5 liters of water are consumed everyday to achieve this.

Contrary to popular belief a cup of tea does contribute positively to our daily need to hydrate, providing that we drink tea in moderation at each sitting. The diuretic impact of tea is inextricably linked to caffeine intake, and it is only when we consume a 250mg-300mg dose of caffeine over a short space of time will it have a negative impact on our hydration level. Given that a regular cup of tea contains approximately 50mg of caffeine, we'd have to drink 5 or 6 cups at once for tea to be considered detrimental to our hydration needs.

Getting back to nature
Adoption of a simpler, natural and healthier lifestyle is a goal many of us cherish. Getting back to nature though is sometimes easier said than done when there is a sea of conflicting information about what is and isn't good for us. But in tea we have our champion. Years of research have proven this, placing it at the head of the table as far as natural health drinks are concerned. With further proof that tea is healthy almost certain to materialize over the forthcoming years, isn't it about time you took a tea break?

Gary W. Griffin, Ph.D. is a researcher and an entrepreneur. He is also an avid tea drinker. This article is brought to you by Tea FAQS. If you're searching for information on tea, visit us at http://www.teafaqs.com

---

Focus Your Light: Earning Money From Home When You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /Fibromyalgia

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /Fibromyalgia makes you extremely tired, exhausted and... Read More

Constipation and Natural Remedies

There are two types of constipation, organic and functional. Organic... Read More

New Hope for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Sufferers

There are numerous theories with regard to the causes of... Read More

Natural Healing For The Body

Back-to-Nature AromatherapyBack-to-nature is a new health initiative by people living... Read More

The Many Advantages of Herbal Medicine

Nowadays is the era of everything that is herbal and... Read More

Anxiety & Panic - Two Steps to Take Before the Healing Process Begins

Anxiety sufferers are usually at a loose end after trying... Read More

Human Health Modification Using Sun Light and Frequency

Human behavior could be modified using light preferably real sunlight.... Read More

Benefits of Human Growth Hormone ? HGH Enhancing Products

Human Growth Hormone has often been referred to as the... Read More

Pranic Therapy - Part I

Pranic Therapy Part I - An IntroductionPranic Therapy is an... Read More

Fruits and Juices Important for Relieving Hemorrhoids Part I

Foods to AvoidChili Peppers It has been found that when... Read More

Sports Massage

What is Sports Massage? Rapidly gaining in popularity, Sports Massage... Read More

The Healing Power of Water Gardens

If you experienced a day filled with running from one... Read More

Magnetic Therapy: The Facts (and Some Myths)

Is magnet therapy regarded yet as a mainstream therapy? I... Read More

Constipation Relieved Naturally

Constipation is a problem that affects many Americans every day.... Read More

Fixing it with Hypnosis

There are many fears and misunderstandings about the use of... Read More

The Science Of Mind Over Matter

We possess an incredible power. It's the power of mind... Read More

Storing, Handling And Using Essential Oils

Pure Essential Oils are a natural product and contain no... Read More

Chronic Back Pain

Magnetic Advantage Newsletter FEATURED TOPIC... Read More

The Healing Effect of Scented Candles

In June 2002, I was a bridesmaid at my cousin's... Read More

Herb Remedies

Herb remedies are made of natural substances that come from... Read More

Water: The Best Medication Ever Created!

How much water do you drink every day? The majority... Read More

Vitamins And Minerals

It is obvious that each of our bodies is unique... Read More

Ethical Guidelines For Hypnotherapy

The study of ethics concerns moral choices, generally in the... Read More

Natural Sleep Aid Tips and Remedies

This article is a summary of some of the sleep... Read More

Hypnosis CDs vs One-to-One Treatment

What's best?Whenever we are about to invest money, whether it... Read More

Not Now, I Have A Headache

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More

An Aspirin A Day Can Give You Cancer

I want to share a health alert with you. So... Read More

The Importance of a Parasite Cleanse

A parasite cleanse is required if your body is overburdened... Read More

Some Smells Cause Headache

Did you know that some smells cause headache?Its true, the... Read More

Alternative Treatments For Arthritis Pain Relief

Natural, herbal remedies can help arthritis sufferers who have tried... Read More

Cleansing Your Elimination Organs to Achieve Good Health

Benefits of Cleansing Your Elimination Organs Colon cleansing, kidney cleansing,... Read More

Kundalini Questions

Alex Wrote;"What is the difference after the kundalini awakens, and... Read More

Cure Arthritis? Right!

Arthritis sufferers are daily bombarded with new, better, more exciting... Read More