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Tea is Good For You according to study

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5281046.stm?

Either way it's gotta be far healthier then coffee.


ls Tea 'healthier' drink than water
Drinking three or more cups of tea a day is as good for you as drinking plenty of water and may even have extra health benefits, say researchers.

The work in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition dispels the common belief that tea dehydrates.

Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers, UK nutritionists found.

Experts believe flavonoids are the key ingredient in tea that promote health.

Healthy cuppa

These polyphenol antioxidants are found in many foods and plants, including tea leaves, and have been shown to help prevent cell damage.

Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so its got two things going for it
Lead author Dr Ruxton

Public health nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton, and colleagues at Kings College London, looked at published studies on the health effects of tea consumption.

They found clear evidence that drinking three to four cups of tea a day can cut the chances of having a heart attack.

Some studies suggested tea consumption protected against cancer, although this effect was less clear-cut.

Other health benefits seen included protection against tooth plaque and potentially tooth decay, plus bone strengthening.

Dr Ruxton said: "Drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water. Water is essentially replacing fluid. Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so its got two things going for it."

Rehydrating

She said it was an urban myth that tea is dehydrating.

"Studies on caffeine have found very high doses dehydrate and everyone assumes that caffeine-containing beverages dehydrate. But even if you had a really, really strong cup of tea or coffee, which is quite hard to make, you would still have a net gain of fluid.

"Also, a cup of tea contains fluoride, which is good for the teeth," she added.

There was no evidence that tea consumption was harmful to health. However, research suggests that tea can impair the body's ability to absorb iron from food, meaning people at risk of anaemia should avoid drinking tea around mealtimes.

Tea is not dehydrating. It is a healthy drink
Claire Williamson of the British Nutrition Foundation

Dr Ruxton's team found average tea consumption was just under three cups per day.

She said the increasing popularity of soft drinks meant many people were not drinking as much tea as before.

"Tea drinking is most common in older people, the 40 plus age range. In older people, tea sometimes made up about 70% of fluid intake so it is a really important contributor," she said.

Claire Williamson of the British Nutrition Foundation said: "Studies in the laboratory have shown potential health benefits.

"The evidence in humans is not as strong and more studies need to be done. But there are definite potential health benefits from the polyphenols in terms of reducing the risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancers.

"In terms of fluid intake, we recommend 1.5-2 litres per day and that can include tea. Tea is not dehydrating. It is a healthy drink."

The Tea Council provided funding for the work. Dr Ruxton stressed that the work was independent.

Comments

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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I like tea, so I approve.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Tea is full of antioxidants, that's the main reason its good for you.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    God, I drink so much tea, I must be one of the healthiest people alive!
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i totally agree with it, i drink tea almost every day.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Do they mean your average 'Cuppa Tetley' or specialist green teas/black teas?
    If it's the former, then I'm all good... I drink about 5/6 cuppa's a day :thumb:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    But going by the average person using sugar, the more cupps of tea your drinking, the more sugar you use. Best to use splenda.
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    littlemissylittlemissy Posts: 9,972 Supreme Poster
    Good stuff. I shall just have another one :thumb:
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    littlemissylittlemissy Posts: 9,972 Supreme Poster
    HIT wrote:
    But going by the average person using sugar, the more cupps of tea your drinking, the more sugar you use. Best to use splenda.

    Ah, that's why you don't put sugar in your tea. It makes it taste crap :thumb:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Mmmmm tea.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    HIT wrote:
    Splenda.
    I honestly couldn't live without it. I use it on my cereal in the morning and in every cup of tea/coffee during day and night. (I only use Skimmed Milk also) So all in all, rather healthy :eek: :lol:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    oooh cool, i love tea! I don't put sugar in mine, only semi skimmed milk! So i'm all good...i think. I did go to a village in new forest yesterday and found a bag of tea leaves which i was going to try....so do they mean tea bags or real tea?
    Coffe is just :yuck:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    ........ *goes off to put the kettle on* :)
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    otter wrote:
    ........ *goes off to put the kettle on* :)
    Two sugars please. :D
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    HIT wrote:
    But going by the average person using sugar, the more cupps of tea your drinking, the more sugar you use. Best to use splenda.

    But isn't splenda just made up of chemicals?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    considering all the waste that passes through my body and brain its nice to have a break with peace and quiet to which tea is an essential component.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sofie wrote:
    But isn't splenda just made up of chemicals?
    :yes:
    at least with sugar, its something natural you're putting in your cuppa.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    otter wrote:
    :yes:
    at least with sugar, its something natural you're putting in your cuppa.

    Indeed.

    So, if Splenda is made up of chemicals, how exactly is it better than sugar?:confused:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Chemicals does the body good. :cool: :D
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Depends what they are though?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I know there was some controversy surrounding the sweetener aspartame, that it could cause cancer, but tbh I dont think the was sufficient evidence proving so.

    But everything give you Cancer these days, including overcooked steak I think.
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