Need another reason to drink tea? On Sept. 19, 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture released research highlighting the positive health benefits of consuming tea.
The research was sponsored by a number of groups including the Tea Council of the USA, a non-profit association with a goal of increasing overall awareness of tea.
The findings showed that the consumption of tea may help aid in many health aspects of our lives and may help reduce the incidence of stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases.
Drinking tea may help support weight loss as well as improve bone formation in older men and women. It may also improve mental sharpness, enhance the effect of chemotherapy drugs and may help prevent cells from becoming cancerous.
“Drinking as little as one cup of tea per day supports healthy arterial function and blood pressure,” said Claudio Ferri, MD, University L’Aquila, Italy.
Ferri conducted a study that included 19 normotensive and 19 hypertensive individuals who found that drinking a cup of tea after a high-fat meal helped counteract the negative affect it normally would have on their blood pressure.
Other studies revolved around weight loss and the consumption of green tea.
Researchers' findings showed that subjects who consumed green tea and caffeine lost an average of 2.9 pounds over a 12 week period, without changing their regular diet.
But those who don’t need to worry about their blood pressure or weight loss can also enjoy their next cup of tea, as it can help build strong bones and combat osteoporosis.
According to data from the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about 44 million Americans suffer from low bone density or osteoporosis.
The results of a study conducted at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center found that women consuming four to six cups of green tea each day improved bone formation and reduced inflammation while increasing muscle strength.
If these findings still aren’t enough to make you reach for a cup of tea, consider switching your morning cup of coffee for tea.
“We found drinking tea improved attention and allowed individuals to be more focused on the task at hand,” said Suzanne Einöther, PhD, Unilever R&D, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Einöther said the effects were found after subjects consumed two to three cups of tea within a 90-minute time period.
Since tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world next to water, it shouldn’t be hard to incorporate a little more of it into your life, for the sake of better health.
Sources:
Smaller Waistlines, Sharper Minds, Stronger Bones and Healthier Hearts? New Findings Released at 5th International Scientific Symposium on Tea & Human Health. The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. Web Jan. 24, 2013.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smaller-waistlines-sharper-minds...
Learn about Osteoporosis | National Osteoporosis Foundation. National Osteoporosis Foundation. Web. 23 Jan. 2013.
http://www.nof.org/learn/basics
Reviewed January 25, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith