Brewed tea eclipses bottled varieties on polyphenols
Comparing brewed and bottled tea, scientists have discovered that home-made versions have more antioxidants than bottled ones. The experiment found that brewed tea contains between 50 and 150 mg of polyphenols, whereas bottled tea holds anywhere from 81 to 3 mg of polyphenols per 16oz. (500ml) unit. Researchers say that polyphenol content in bottled teas is extremely variable and low due to added sugar and high dilution, in an attempt to keep bitterness and astringency low. Authors of the study warn that polyophenol levels on labels of bottled teas may not be correct because of lack of government regulations for measuring and listing the compounds.
USDA report links soft drinks to obesity, emphasizes taxing
A new report by the US Department of Agriculture has reaffirmed the link between carbonated soft drink consumption and obesity. This puts further pressure on the beverage industry, whose previous strategies have not yielded sufficient results. Furthermore, the USDA report endorses the idea of taxing beverages with high levels of sweeteners that may lead to excess weight. It estimates that a 20% tax on sweetened beverages could result in "savings" of 38 calories per day for the average American, adding up to 3.8lbs (2kg) weight reduction per year. Experts say that even though the reduction in caloric intake from such an initiative would be relatively small, it may lead to a change in consumer behavior with long-term effects on health and medical bills.
Warning over high fluoride content of black tea
Scientists have discovered that black tea contains far more fluoride than previously thought. Early studies suggested that black tea had 1 to 5 milligrams of fluoride per liter, but a new study by Medical College of Georgia found that the beverage can hold up to 9 milligrams of fluoride. A couple of daily cups is thought to prevent dental cavities, yet high intake or long term ingestion can lead to bone health problems. According to the study, it is safe to consume 2 to 3 milligrams of fluoride per day (through water, toothpaste and food), whereas ingesting 20 milligrams per day for more than 10 years may lead to serious bone deficiencies.
Less cognitive problems for elderly tea drinkers
People who regularly drink tea are less likely to suffer from memory loss later in life, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of California in Los Angeles have established a link between tea consumption and cognitive function in individuals over 65 years old. Data from over 4800 senior citizens shows that regular tea consumption reduces the likelihood to develop memory problems by 17 to 37 percent. Scientists working on the study point out that the protective effect is unlikely to be linked to caffeine, and suggest that it may be attributed to flavonoids or theanine contained in tea. The research was supported by the Lipton Institute of Tea.
Tea decreases risk of death from heart disease
A Dutch study has found that daily tea intake can significantly lower the risk of dying from a heart disease. In one of the largest and longest studies ever, researchers followed more than 37,000 people for 13 years in order to establish the impact of tea and coffee on heart health. It turns out that people who drank three to six cups of tea per day had a 45% lower risk of death from heart disease than people who drank less than one cup of tea a day. The association held up even when other lifestyle factors associated with heart disease, including smoking and exercise level, were taken into account. Scientists believe that antioxidants called flavonoids found in tea and other beverages and "super foods" may explain the protective effect seen in the study.
Breakthrough study touts tea's anticancer properties
In a breakthrough study, American researchers have figured out how polyphenols contained in green tea and red wine inhibit cancer growth. The experiment, carried out on mice genetically altered to develop a human prostate cancer tumour, shows that green tea compounds EGCG and polyphenol E disrupt a specific cell-signaling pathway that is often responsible for cancer growth. The finding is important because it may lead to the development of drugs that could stop or slow cancer progression, or improve current treatments. Scientists working on the study are convinced that as long as they are taken in moderation, tea and wine may be ranked among the most potent 'health foods'.
Drinking tea may reduce ovarian cancer risk
Scientists from Australia announced a study that indicates that drinking tea may lead to a reduction of the risk of ovarian cancer. The study looked at food and lifestyle habits of about 2700 women, half of whom had a history of ovarian cancer. Total tea intake emerged as the key factor, as women who drank four or more cups of tea per day were linked with a 30 percent reduction of the risk of ovarian cancer. It is interesting to note that the decrease in risk is associated with all varieties of tea (black, green and herbal) and there was no added benefit from drinking green tea. Although the reasons for the findings remain unclear, scientists suspect that antioxidants in tea are responsible for these effects.
Green tea extract could slow leukemia
Green tea extracts may be instrumental in reducing cancer cells in the blood of patients with a form of leukemia and may slow the progression of the disease. According to findings from Mayo Clinic in the US, two thirds of patients in the early stages of the most common form of leukemia showed a significant reduction in the number of leukemia cells in their blood. The active ingredient is epigallocatechin galeate (EGCG), an antioxidant found abundantly in green tea and already associated with many beneficial effects. Although these findings will require more research to confirm the results, the lead author of the study believes this non-toxic treatment may be useful for stabilizing this form of leukemia and potentially slowing it down.
Smoking addiction reduced by tea ingredient
Scientists from Chinese Academy of Sciences have found a way to use tea to inhibit nicotine addiction. They identified theanine, an amino acid commonly found in tea, as an active ingredient to help reduce addiction to cigarettes with better efficacy and fewer side effects. The study, carried on over 100 male smokers, found that the participants' average daily cigarette consumption decreased by about 50% after using filters containing theanine for one month, with additional drops in consumption after prolonged use. Toxicological studies also showed that the tea filters could significantly reduce the intake of carcinogenic materials such as tar and free radicals generated by cigarette smoking.
Green tea may promote dental health
A research paper suggests that drinking green tea increases dental health. Researchers found that people aged 40 to 64 who drank one cup of green tea a day were less likely to lose teeth. They found that men who drank at least one cup of tea a day were 19% less likely to have fewer than 20 teeth than those who did not drink green tea. Tea drinking women had 13% lower odds. Scientists suspect that antimicrobial molecules called catechins present in green tea and, in lesser amounts in other tea varieties, kill mouth bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum disease.
Green and black tea to prevent ovarian cancer
A study, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, has revealed that consumption of black or green tea on a daily basis reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. It analyzed the lifestyle of around 2000 women in different professions. One daily cup of green tea was shown to reduce the risk of suffering from ovarian cancer by 54 percent. Antioxidants found in tea are thought to be responsible for stalling cancer cell growth by substantially reducing the production of numerous proteins that are believed to promote the cells’ survival. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women and fourth leading cause of deaths in women due to cancers.
Green tea may protect against eye diseases
Latest research has confirmed that green tea may protect against glaucoma and other eye diseases. Scientists have found that green tea catechins, known for their antioxidant properties, penetrate into tissues of the eye and are absorbed by the lens, retina, and other tissues. In a study on rats, it was shown beyond a doubt that eye structures absorbed significant amounts of individual catechins and that the effects in reducing harmful oxidative stress in the eye lasted for up to 20 hours.
Tea associated with slimmer waistines among men
Latest research shows that men who drink at least two cups of tea per day have slimmer waistlines than those who drink coffee or nothing at all. The study, which examined links between tea and coffee consumption and obesity among 3,823 adults in the US, also noted that men who use sugar in their tea have smaller waistlines compared to men who use artificial sweeteners. The benefits of drinking tea did were not found among women. However, the exact connection between tea and a thinner waistline isn't exactly understood.
Caffeine could prevent certain brain tumors
According to a new study by London's Imperial College, drinking at least five cups of coffee or tea every day could help prevent brain tumors. Scientists, analyzing over 300 cases of glioma brain tumor in men and women, found that people who consumed five or more cups of coffee or tea a day had a 40% smaller chance of developing the cancer. Men benefited more from the protective effects of caffeine, although the exact cause of that could not be pinpointed. Decaffeinated tea or coffee was not associated with the same benefits.
Tea may prevent endometrial cancer
A Chinese review of studies found that tea may help prevent endometrial cancer. The researchers noted that an increase in tea consumption of two cups per day was associated with a 25% reduced risk of developing the disease. The association was significant for green tea, but not for black tea. Endometrial cancer - which forms in the lining of the uterus - is the fourth most common cancer in American women. The National Cancer Institute says there are 42,000 new cases in the United States each year, and nearly 7,800 deaths.
Positive effects of green tea on lung cancer
Drinking green tea may offer some protection against lung cancer, according to Taiwanese scientists. In as study of more than 500 people, they discovered that among smokers, those who did not drink green tea at all were more than 12 times as likely to develop lung cancer than those who drank at least a cup a day. Researchers also analyzed the DNA of people in the study and found certain genes appeared to play a role in the risk reduction.
Green tea to relieve from depression
Japanese scientists have found that green tea has the potential to cut the risk of developing depression among elderly people. Tohoku University researchers discovered that 44% of elderly men and women studied were less likely to have depression symptoms if they drank four or more cups of green tea daily. The researchers established the link even after considering such factors as social and economic status, gender, diet, history of medical problems, and the use of antidepressants. There was not a similar effect found with other teas, such as black or oolong tea, or coffee.
Tea and coffee might fight off diabetes
An Australian study found that regular tea and coffee consumption lowers the risk of developing type II diabetes. In a review of 18 studies including more that 450000 people, scientists noted that drinking three to four cups of tea each day lowered their risk of diabetes by about twenty percent, whereas three to four daily cups of coffee accounted for a 25 percent reduction in the risk of developing the disease. The beneficial effects include better blood sugar regulation and insulin secretion. They are believed to stem not from caffeine, as previously thought, but from other components, such as magnesium, lignans and chlorogenic acids.
Mint tea may be an effective painkiller
A UK study suggests that Brazilian mint tea has pain relieving qualities to match those of commercially available analgesics. Research, which was carried out on mice, indicates that when the mint was given at a dose similar to that prescribed by traditional healers, the medicine was as effective at relieving pain as a synthetic aspirin-style drug called Indometacin. Scientists plan to launch clinical trials to find out how effective the mint is as a pain relief for people.
Study hints at tea's cancer prevention potential
Research carried out by scientists form University of Texas found green tea may prevent the onset of oral cancer. Subjects with pre-malignant lesions were given green tea extracts, equivalent to eight to ten cups of tea, and were more clinically responsive than those given the placebo. Although at the end of the two-year study period there was no difference in oral cancer development overall between those who took green tea and those who did not, patients who presented with mild to moderate dysplasia had a longer time to develop oral cancer if they took green tea extract.
Stress and fatigue are eased by green tea
A large scale study in Japan reveals that green tea can relieve stress from overworking. The study was carried out on over forty thousand individuals and found that green tea was beneficial for those who suffered from psychological stress. Those who drank five cups of green tea per day showed considerably less psychological distress than those who drank less than a cup a day. These results were calculated after making adjustments for variables such as age, diet, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and disease histories.
Eight cups of tea a day to reduce risk of stroke
Drinking up to eight cups of tea a day may offer significant health benefits, according to a dietician from London's King's College. A review of 47 published studies suggests that a daily intake of 400mg of caffeine, equivalent to eight cups, delivers key benefits in terms of mental function and heart health without any adverse consequences. The scientist found that regular tea drinking could help lead to reduced mortality, a lower risk of heart attack and lower cholesterol.
Study to probe green tea's potential against HPV
Researchers at University Medical School in Arizona are looking for test subjects to participate in a study on green tea's potential in preventing the human papilloma virus, a virus that can lead to cervical cancer in women. Previous experiments have shown that green tea extract helps clear up cervical lesions created by the virus. The goal of the study is to see if more women who receive treatment with Polyphenon E, a chemical present in green tea, clear the HPV than those receiving the placebo.
Green tea may help women prevent pneumonia
Japanese scientists have found that green tea helps women reduce the risk of suffering from pneumonia. According to the study, drinking 5 cups or more of green tea daily has shown to cut the risk by up to 47%. However, even small amounts of green tea have a positive impact, researchers say. Drinking as little as one cup of tea or less per day was associated with a 41% decrease in risk.
Blood cancer risk reduced by green tea
A new study by Japanese scientists has shown that green tea may prove highly beneficial for health and cut down the risk of developing blood cancer. Drinking 5 cups of tea per day was found to slow down the growth of cancer-causing viruses and micro-organisms. The study, carried out on more than forty thousand adults in Japan, suggests that those who regularly consume 5 cups of green tea have 42% lower chances of developing all types of blood cancer than those who drink one or fewer cups of the green tea.
Studies hint at green tea's weight loss properties
A human trial studying the relationship between green tea and body weight has found that men receiving catechin-enriched green tea showed a significant reduction in body weight, waist circumference and body fat as compared to men given catechin-depleted green tea. Average weight loss in catechin-enriched group was 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), as compared to 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) in subjects ingesting catechin-depleted product. In a separate study, scientists discovered that consumption of green tea catechins increased energy expenditure, by boosting the total amount of fat burned at rest and increasing the total number of calories burned on a daily basis.
Less stomach cancer for women tea drinkers
Scientists at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo examined six studies involving links between tea consumption and stomach cancer, and noted a 20 percent decrease in stomach cancer risk for women drinking 5 or more cups of green tea per day. The results remain true, even when smoking was taken into account. However, the researchers found no correlation between tea drinking and stomach cancer among men.
New study suggests green tea may help lose weight
According to a new Chinese study, funded by Lipton Institute of Tea, regular consumption of green tea was shown to promote weight loss and improve body composition in moderately overweight individuals. This study analyzed the effects of green tea consumption on body weight, body fat mass, as well as the distribution of fat. It found that body weight, waist circumference, intra-abdominal fat and the total lean mass all decreased after 90 days in the group that drank the tea with the highest concentration of catechins, equivalent to 6 to 10 daily cups of green tea.
Green tea may have potential to strenthen bones
Scientists from Hong Kong have found that chemicals in green tea may help strengthen bones by stimulating their formation and slowing the process of weakening them. In a laboratory experiment on rat cells, they have noted that the ingredient epigallocatechin (EGC) in green tea boosted the level of a key enzyme that promotes bone growth by nearly 79 percent. Also, they found that EGC increased the density of bone minerals in the cells, thereby reducing the risk of pain and fracture.
Heart disease may be prevented by a cuppa
A study from Scotland and France indicates that green and black tea may lower the risk of heart disease by preventing fatty deposits from building up in arteries. The research, carried out on hamsters with a high-fat diet, found a "remarkable" reduction in fatty build-ups of up to 96%. Scientists believe similar effects can be replicated in human trials, as the administered amounts were equal to a cup of tea per day. The protective effect apparently comes from plant-derived chemicals known as phenolic compounds and flavonoids found in tea and some juices.
Vitamin C, sugar may enhance green tea's effects
A study from Purdue University found that including sucrose and vitamin C in ready-to-drink green tea beverages may boost their health profile. Research suggests that adding sugar and vitamin C increases the absorption of green tea compounds, epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), by up to 200%. A separate study from Hong Kong has recently discovered that the cells of regular tea drinkers may have a younger biological age than cells from non-drinkers - difference being about 5 years of life.
US heart group issues guidelines on sugar intake
American Heart Association has issued guidelines on daily sugar consumption aimed at cutting sugar intake drastically from current levels. An average American consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar each day, whereas the new guidelines suggest 6 teaspoons for women and 10 for men. The guidelines include added sugar, commonly found in soft drinks, candy, cakes, and cookies. Some of the most common added sugars are corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup and honey. The biggest source of extra sugar in a typical diet are soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages.
White tea may help prevent skin aging
Latest study from Kingston University in the UK suggests white tea reduces age-associated wrinkles. Results showed white tea prevented the activities of the enzymes which breakdown elastin and collagen which can lead to wrinkles that accompany aging. The findings also indicate that white tea reduces the risk of inflammation which is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers.
Ritual of tea drinking shown to reduce stress
Scientist found that tea-making can reduce stress levels by up to a quarter. The findings reveal that even a single cup of tea can significantly reduce anxiety levels after suffering a stressful experience. Moreover, psychologists discovered that the act of putting the kettle on also helped by tapping into a collective conscious and symbolism. The study showed a 25% increase in anxiety for those that did not receive tea immediately after the stress-inducing test, whereas those who were given tea actually demonstrated a four per cent reduction in stress.
Black tea may help control diabetes
According to a study published in Journal of Food Science, black tea has the potential of managing the development of diabetes. Chinese scientists, examining the polysaccharide levels of different tea varieties, found that polysaccharides in black tea had the most glucose-inhibiting properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate that may benefit people with diabetes because they help retard absorption of glucose. Black tea polysaccharides are also shown to have the highest scavenging effect on free radicals, which are involved in the onset of diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
Prolonged tea consumption may weaken bones
Japanese scientists discovered that prolonged consumption of tea could weaken bones due to high content of toxic fluorine. Particularly black and oolong tea are known to hold large amounts of the substance. According to the study, tea beverages contain up to 70% more fluorine than standard tap water, which typically has 0.8 milligrams per liter. Researchers concede that there is no immediate risk to human health, yet they call for a standard to be set and displayed on tea-based products in order to reduce the risk of bone rupture.
Mixed reviews for green tea's health benefits
A wide ranging new Cochrane review of studies that examined the affects of green tea on various cancers, including breast, lung and prostate, has yielded conflicting results. The review, compiling 51 studies that included more than 1.6 million participants and were conducted from 1985 through 2008, found that green tea alone couldn't account for cancer prevention in most cases. Researchers believe further studies are needed to investigate its health benefits, yet remain optimistic about green tea's potential to fight off certain types of the disease.
Tea spray to protect against skin cancer
Scientists have discovered that a spray made from green tea could offer powerful protection against skin cancer. Researchers from Cleveland, Ohio say the tea spray has the capability to enhance skin's in-built immune system and reduce the damage caused by sun's ultraviolet light. It is believed that this blend can not only protect the skin, but prevent cellular damage that leads to skin cancer. Antioxidants known as polyphenols are thought to explain these beneficial effects.
Cancer progression may be slowed by green tea
Findings of a recent study into the effects of green tea on prostate cancer found that certain compounds have an influence on the progression of the disease. The studied substance, polyphenon, was found to significantly reduce the serum markers predictive of prostate cancer progression. In collaboration with Columbia University in New York City, the researchers are currently conducting a comparable trial among patients with breast cancer.
Green tea's impact on cervical cancer to be tested
Scientists from Arizona are conducting a clinical study to analyze if green tea can help prevent cervical cancer. The research, funded by the National Cancer Institute, is testing a green-tea extract's effect on viruses that can cause cervical cancer in hopes of finding the first non-surgical way of preventing the disease. The group of viruses, commonly known as HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with an estimated 20 million people carrying the virus.
Frequent green tea intake can help avoid strokes
In a new study, Australian scientists have found that frequent tea consumption can significantly reduce the risk of suffering a stroke. Researchers discovered that long-term consumption of green tea, at least once a week, substantially decreases ischemic stroke risk. The study looked into green tea consumption of Chinese patients who suffered a stroke and found encouraging news when comparing frequent drinkers with infrequent or nondrinkers. Major inverse dose-response relationships were also found for years of drinking and the amount of dried tea leaves brewed.
Green tea compound could help treat leukemia
Scientists found that high doses of a chemical found in green tea could kill cancer cells and reduce symptoms of leukemia, a blood or bone marrow cancer. Preliminary results suggest that humans are tolerant to very high doses of an active ingredient in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and that many trial patients saw a regression of the disease. Researchers believe that the treatment would not be potent enough on its own, but could make other anti-cancer treatments like chemotherapy more successful.
Green tea extract helps prevent HIV
A green tea compound is found to inhibit sexual transmission of HIV virus when used as an ingredient in vaginal creams. German researchers discovered that the green tea polyphenol, called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is capable of neutralizing a protein in sperm which serves as a vector for viral transmission during sex. Scientists believe that EGCG could provide a simple and affordable prevention method for poor and developing nations, and would also enable women to ensure proper protection during sexual intercourse.
Delicate white tea may help fight obesity
White tea, made from the youngest and most tender buds of the plant, is capable of breaking down fat cells and preventing new ones from forming, according to latest research. Scientists from Germany tested extracts of white tea on human fat cells and found that they reduced the amount of genes associated with the growth of new fat cells and prompted existing cells to break down the fat they contain. In the US, a third of the population is categorized as obese, compared to a quarter in the UK.
Tea strikes gold in new anticancer treatment
Researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that chemicals in tea produce consistent, biologically safe gold nanoparticles, which show promising anticancer properties. Scientists discovered that nontoxic formation of gold nanoparticles can be achieved by adding gold salts to a simple cup of tea. Gold nanoparticles have many potential medicinal and technological uses, such as targeted anticancer drugs, but currently their synthesis needs toxic reagents that make them unsuitable for use in the body. The natural chemicals used in this new method are harmless in the body and produce no toxic byproducts.
Green tea may provide weight loss help
A study published in Clinical Nutrition suggests that green tea may help people lose weight by enhancing the feeling of satiety and preventing hunger. 27 persons were subject to three weeks of negative and three weeks of positive energy balance, during which bioactive ingredients such as capsaicin and green tea were ingested on 10 separate test days while the effects on appetite, energy intake, body weight and heart rate were assessed. The Danish study indicates that a combination of capsaicin and green tea may be helpful in reducing energy intake and might support weight loss periods by relatively sustaining satiety and suppressing hunger.
Tea linked to reduction of uterine cancer risk
According to latest research, women who drink a few cups of tea or coffee each day benefit from a lower risk of endometrial cancer, which arises in the lining of the uterus. Women who drank more than two cups of tea per day had a 44 percent lower risk of the disease, caused mainly by older age, obesity and higher levels of estrogen. Scientists point to caffeine as a possible explanation, as it induces certain enzymes that help neutralize potentially cancer-causing substances in the body. Underscoring this theory was also the absence of any link between decaffeinated coffee and cancer risk in the study.
Caffeine during pregnancy may alter heart growth
A new study suggests a link between caffeine intake during pregnancy and heart growth and cardiac function later in life. The experiment, carried out on mice, showed that even small amounts of caffeine delivered during development may negatively impact the heart. While the preliminary findings may not be directly relevant to human health or disease, they shed light on the question of prenatal caffeine exposure, as approximately 60 percent of women say they have consumed coffee during the first month of pregnancy.
Antioxidant content in tea decreases with time
New research on antioxidant activity in commercially available green tea bags reveals steep drops take place within the first six months if products remain unopened and unexposed to light or moisture. Scientists, who analyzed eight teas sold in different countries, discovered a slight drop-off in catechin antioxidant content early on in the storage process, and went on to observe a significant decline of 32% by the end of six months. They hope this preliminary study will prompt more research into the antioxidant storage conditions.
Scientists cautious about effects of yerba mate
Yerba mate tea, made from a shrub widespread in South America, is causing discord among scientists regarding its health benefits. While the plant contains many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, experts caution on comparisons with green tea. A recent review of existing studies confirmed that people who regularly drink large amounts of the tea, as much as a liter or more each day, had significantly increased risk of cancers of the esophagus, lungs, mouth, pharynx and larynx. Although the studies remain inconclusive, researhers urge to enjoy yerba mate in moderation.
Drinking very hot tea linked to cancer risk
Iranian scientists have discovered that drinking steaming hot tea may increase the risk of oesophageal, or food tube, cancer. They found that drinking black tea at temperatures of 70C (158F) or higher increased the risk of cancer in the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Compared with drinking warm or lukewarm tea (65C or less), drinking very hot tea (70C or more) was associated with an eight-fold increased risk. Oesophagus cancers kill more than 500,000 people worldwide each year and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of the disease.
Green tea and mushrooms may ward off breast cancer
A study of eating habits among Chinese women found that mushrooms and green tea have the potential to cut breast cancer risk by up to 90 percent. Women who ate at least 10g (0.3 oz.) of fresh mushrooms daily were 64% less likely to develop breast cancer. And those who combined mushrooms with green tea saw an even greater risk reduction. Researchers suspect chemicals in the foods block tumor growth and boost the body's natural defenses against cancer.
Tea tastes better from your favorite cup
Latest research suggests tea and coffee really do taste better from a favorite cup or mug. Scientists from the UK found that a person's brain is trained to believe the daily ritual of making coffee or tea should be done in a certain way in order to derive maximum enjoyment. The study indicates that caffeine is a drug of reward and people develop preferences as to how the drug is delivered. According to research, 65 percent of British have a favorite cup or mug they use for their morning cuppa.
Green tea contributes to dental health
New research suggests that green tea can improve the health of teeth and gums. The study, carried out on 940 men in Japan, found that people who regularly drank green tea had very healthy teeth and gums, compared to those who did not routinely drink it. According to research, the anti-inflammatory effects of green tea catechins reduce the risk of periodontal disease - less bleeding with probing, decreased depth of periodontal pocket and decreased clinical loss of attachment of tooth to gum.
Green tea may counter effects of cancer drug
A study by the University of Southern California found that green tea may negate the effects of bortezomib, a drug used for treatments of certain types of blood cancer. The cancer drug, sold under the brand name Velcade, is said to be countered by green tea polyphenols, and could be entirely blocked by green tea supplements, containing up to 50 times as much polyphenol as a single cup of tea. Velcade is used to treat multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer.
EU plans strict probes for health claims
The European Union has announced plans to crack down on foods that advertise health benefits without scientific backing. The EU has decided claims must be based primarily on human clinical trials. Animal studies can be used, with a few exceptions, only as supporting evidence. Moreover, the evidence must in most cases be "convincing," not merely plausible. The EU's rules are the strictest in the world, industry experts say, and may affect food giants such as Danone and Nestlé, as well as hundreds of smaller manufacturers.
US cities ranked based on caffeine consumption
The second annual HealthSaver Caffeinated Cities Survey analyzed 20 metropolitan cities in the United States to rank them based on overall levels of consumption of caffeine, as well as specific categories, with regard to coffee, cola, tea, sweets containing chocolate, pain relievers, energy drinks, and caffeine pills. The Tampa / St. Petersburg / Clearwater area of Florida ranked first in the United States, after having come in second in the 2007 survey. Seattle ranked second in 2008, though when broken down into the coffee category alone, the city ranked a solid first. According to the survey, tea represents 20% of the overall caffeine intake.
Tea may ward off late-life dementia
Research from Finland suggests coffee and tea consumption in midlife may protect against the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease later on in life. The study tried to look at the long-term impact of caffeine on the central nervous system, as the pathological processes leading to Alzheimer's disease are believed to start decades before the clinical manifestation of the illness. Although the findings need to be confirmed by other studies, they point towards the possibility that dietary interventions could modify the risk of these diseases.
Tea consumption may improve brain performance
According to new research, people who consume tea, wine or chocolate have higher brain performance than those who do not. An international team of scientists examined the relation between cognitive performance and the intake of those three substances. They found that those who consumed chocolate, wine, or tea had significantly better mean test scores and lower prevalence of poor cognitive performance than those who did not. The active ingredients studied were flavonoids, micronutrients found in plant-derived foods.
Brewed tea prevents tooth erosion
A study on the effects of drinks on teeth has found that brewed tea possesses much less negative erosive properties compared to other soft drinks. According to research published in General Dentistry journal, tea poses virtually no risk to the hard part of teeth, or enamel, whereas refined sugars and acids found in soda and citrus juice promote tooth erosion, which is irreversible. Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson has therefore highly recommended patients to choose tea as an alternative to more erosive drinks like soda and fruit juice.
Green tea may slow diabetes
Scientists at the Medical College of Georgia found that green tea antioxidants may slow or even prevent the development of type 1 diabetes. The study, carried out on laboratory mice, tested the effects of green tea's predominate antioxidant, known as EGCG, on type 1 diabetes and Sjogren's syndrome, which damages moisture-producing glands causing dry mouth and eyes. It was discovered that the antioxidant compound reduced the severity and delayed the onset of salivary gland damage associated with Sjogren's syndrome - a condition with no known cure. EGCG also dramatically slowed the development of type 1 diabetes in the rodents.
Hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure
According to a recent study, drinking hibiscus tea lowered blood pressure in a clinical trial of 65 pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults, aged 30 to 70 years. For six weeks, about half the group was randomly selected to drink three cups of hibiscus tea daily while others drank a placebo beverage containing artificial hibiscus flavoring and color. The findings show that the volunteers who drank hibiscus tea had a 7.2 point drop in their systolic blood pressure, compared to a 1.3 point drop in the volunteers who drank the placebo beverage. The study was co-sponsored by Celestial Seasonings tea company.
Chamomile tea may help fight diabetes
According to recent research, drinking chamomile tea daily may help prevent the complications of type 2 diabetes, such as loss of vision and nerve and kidney damage. In laboratory tests on rats, UK and Japanese scientists found that chamomile extract appears to cut blood sugar levels and block activity of an enzyme associated with the development of diabetic complications. Scientists cautioned that further research would be needed to confirm the plant's role in fighting diabetes-related complications, yet noted that the study raised hopes of a new anti-diabetes drug.
Rooibos shows cardiovascular benefits
The first-ever human clinical trial on the effects of rooibos tea on the cardiovascular system was carried out in South Africa. The research, conducted by a group of scientists from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, shows that short-term consumption of rooibos tea is safe for the liver and kidneys while keeping various blood parameters in a normal range. Provisional results from the study indicate that "red bush" tea protects the body against oxidative damage, as seen by the 21 percent decrease in conjugated dienes in the blood.
Green tea goes nano
A new study has found that greet tea catechins encapsulated in nanoparticles may be released in a controlled manner. In vitro research showed that chitosan nanoparticles had an encapsulation efficiency of over fifty percent and thus a controlled release of antioxidant-rich polyphenols was achievable. Nanotechnology is already being used in food and packaging industries and focuses on altering matter at an atomic or molecular scale. A more effective delivery system could pave the way for a more widespread use of green tea catechins.
Tea halves risk of dementia
Research from the University of Singapore shows that drinking two to three cups of tea a day can halve the risk of early signs of dementia. In a study of lifestyle habits of 2,500 people aged 55 and over, it was found that sipping through a couple of cups of black tea per day can cut the risk of cognitive decline by 55%, and up to 63% for heavy tea drinkers. According to scientists, no protective effects on the brain were noted for caffeine, which indicates that polyphenols found in tea were responsible for increased brain function. It is believed that polyphenols prevent oxidation of brain cells and block build-up of plaques in the brain.
Tea may offer hope to smokers
A new study by a group of Swedish scientists suggests that coffee and tea consumption may reduce the risk of stroke caused by a blockage. The study, carried out on over 26,000 Finnish male smokers, examines ties between diet and risks of different types of strokes caused by bleeding in the brain and artery blockage. The results show that men who drink two or more cups of tea per day have a 21% lower risk of this type of stroke compared to non-drinkers. Scientists suggest tea's phenolic compounds may be instrumental in preventing cerebral infarction and hope to confirm the results among women and non-smokers.
Green tea may prove beneficial for atheletes
A Brazilian study measuring the effects of green tea on athletes undertaking resistance training indicates that its consumption increases body's antioxidant defense capacity. Researchers say that if the results can be confirmed on a larger scale, the antioxidant-rich beverage could be proven valuable in fighting oxidative damage caused by exercise. The findings may pave the way for green tea to gain access to the energy drinks market, which is valued at £137 million in the UK and almost $3 billion in the US.
Green tea boosts antibiotics' efficiency
Researchers in Egypt found that green tea enhances the effects of antibiotics up to threefold in fighting drug-resistant bacteria. The study, carried out by the Alexandria University, suggests that in almost every case and for all types of antibiotics they tested, drinking green tea at the same time as taking the antibiotics appeared to increase the action of the antibiotics and reduce drug resistance in bacteria.
Study highlights fat-burning qualitites of tea
A study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that green tea can not only prevent heart diseases, but also help to burn fat. The authors of the study found that green tea extracts increased the rate at which the body metabolizes fat, enhancing the amount of generated energy by up to 17 percent.
Tea is good for women's hearts
A recent French study suggests that women who drink three or more cups of tea per day reduce their exposure to heart attacks and strokes. The study examined the thickness of plaques in blood vessels, which are build-ups of fat or cholesterol and are linked to an increased risk of heart complications, and found those plaques were less frequent with increasing tea consumption in women. Strangely, no benefits were recorded among women who drank less than three cups of tea a day or for men.
Black tea may help combat diabetes
Latest research from the University of Dundee, Scotland suggests that black tea may help prevent type 2 diabetes, which develops when the body fails to produce enough insulin. The researchers have discovered that several components of black tea, namely theaflavins and thearubigins, mimicked insulin action and could have beneficial effects on the most widespread form of the disease.
Tea helps toughen older women’s hips
An Australian study suggests that drinking tea may help strengthen hips in older female patients. Patients who drank about three cups of tea per day showed a higher bone density compared to non-drinkers. Antioxidant flavanoids are believed to contribute towards bone mineral density by a stimulatory effect on new cells that build bone. Hip fractures and osteoporosis remain a major cause of disability for older women.
Well brewed tea to cut cancer risk
Green tea may protect from bladder inflammation
Green tea may help rheumatoid arthritis patients
Green tea may help combat cancerous chemicals
Green tea may prevent autoimmune diseases
Green tea effective against severe sepsis
A new laboratory study suggests that EGCG, one of the main components of green tea, is a powerful medicine against severe sepsis, an abnormal immune system response to a bacterial infection. Researchers found that a dose equivalent to ten cups of green tea raised the survival rate in mice by nearly 30%. The findings could pave way to clinical trails in search for a cure for a disease that is known to cause death in half of medical cases.
Green tea to fight bacteria
Citrus juice helps absorb green tea oxidants
Tea may improve alertness
Tea extracts help treat damaged skin from radiation
FDA rejects green tea health claims
Japanese study links green tea with longer life
Coffee and tea reduce risk of chronic liver disease
Tea reduces ovarian cancer risk
Green Tea Shows Anti-influenza Effects
Green Tea Slows Cancer
Cancer Specialist Requests FDA Add Stomach Cancer
Benefits of Green Tea, Concentrated
DSM Nutritional Products, the world’s leading producer of vitamins and carotenoids, has developed a patented process to further purify green tea extracts. This process permits concentration of the most important active principle of green tea, EGCG. EGCG is the most abundant catechin in green tea, and most of the scientifically validated health effects are attributed to this constituent. DSM offers this extract under the brand name TEAVIGO as an ingredient for foods, beverages and supplements. The company claims that while TEAVIGO contains the major benefits of pure green tea, it does not significantly alter color and taste of the food or beverage.
Clue to Green Tea’s Anti-Cancer Properties
A new mechanism has been found that might explain green tea's protective effects against cancer. A "promiscuous chaperone protein" has been discovered - so-called because it binds to many different cells and receptors in the body-known as hsp90, is involved in conferring green tea's protective effects.
Tea Might Prevent Diabetes
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton suggests that tea might prevent diabetes and its ensuing complications, including cataracts. This new research has found that both green and black teas have been shown to decrease glucose levels which, in turn, affects other biochemical pathways that accelerate diabetic complications such as cataracts.
Black Tea Controls Plaque Buildup
A recent Chicago College of Dentistry study showed that people who rinsed their mouths with black tea multiple times a day had less plaque buildup than those who rinsed with water. "Polyphenols in tea suppress the bacterial enzyme that triggers plaque accumulation," says Christine D. Wu, Ph.D., the lead study author. "Drinking tea a few times a day could have the same effect."
Dueling Theories on the Benefits of Green Tea
In contrast to previous research and the FDA, the American Institute for Cancer Research study found that a substance in green tea intercepts one of the proteins that activate cancer cells in some cases, stopping the process at an earlier stage than researchers assumed. The study results were published in the April issue of Biochemistry, a peer reviewed science journal.
In the Flow with Black Tea
Drinking black tea reduces LDL and total cholesterol, and it may do more. Researchers in Japan have found black tea also improves blood flow. They measured the coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) of men given various types of hot drinks. The CFVR indicates the amount that blood flow can speed up when demands are put on the heart. CFVR improved two hours after drinking black tea.
Soothing Chamomile
For centuries tea drinkers have sipped chamomile for relief from problems ranging from colds to menstrual cramps to jet lag. Now, scientists are beginning to investigate how chamomile works. A study at Imperial College London found recently that the tea raises the body's levels of hippurate, a substance that increases antibacterial activity. Chamomile also increases glycine, an amino acid that relieves muscle spasms. The beneficial effects of chamomile appear to last for as long as two weeks after drinking it.
Green Tea May Protect Against Autoimmune Diseases
Green tea, already lauded for its cancer-fighting ability, may also protect against certain autoimmune diseases, new research suggests. Green teas inhibit the expression of antigens made by the body, substances that can trigger an immune response, explained study author Stephen Hsu, an associate professor in the School of Dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. While the research is very preliminary, eventually green tea might help protect cells from being attacked by the autoantigens.
Tea Drinking Part of Smoking Cessation
Among many other steps and practices, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (a branch of the Centers for Disease Control), recommends people trying to quit tobacco drink tea instead of coffee.
Tea Major Source of Antioxidants
Research team from Michigan State University claims tea is the major source of flavonoid antioxidants in the U.S. diet, supplying roughly 55 percent of the estimated 134 mg consumer per/day in the U.S. diet. Other major food groups contributing to flavonoid intake include fruits, vegetables, and various carbohydrates (bread, cereal, rice and pasta). It is thought that any health effects from tea drinking may stem from its naturally occurring antioxidant content. "For most Americans, drinking a cup of tea a day -- hot or cold -- will increase their daily flavonoids by over 50 percent. This in turn, may further reduce risk for chronic diseases," said Douglas Balentine, Ph.D., Director Nutrition Sciences, Unilever Health Institute.