Drinking tea seems to be one of the most inexpensive, accessible and even tastiest ways to take us one step closer to good health. And apparently, some research is being performed to back up claims that the National Institutes of Health consider somewhat dubious. I'll refer you to a great article from the April issue of Science Daily that discusses the health benefits of black, oolong, white and green teas.
The study found that water extracts of black tea had the highest effect on inhibiting the activity of alpha-glucosidase -- responsible for triggering the absorption of glucose by the small intestine, followed by white tea and oolong tea.
In addition, scientists compared the health benefits of red wine and white wine and compared how red wine and tea offered similar protection -- in a space that is lengthier than what we provide here.
Also, with regard to the caffeine content of tea, you'll find that our good friends at the U.S. National Library of Medicine say that green tea does have caffeine and is considered a stimulant. The average cup of tea has about half the caffeine content as a cup of coffee. You can find out more about that here. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-green_tea.html
Interestingly, the NLM and National Institutes of Health gave both green and black tea 'C's when it came to health benefits concluding that not enough scientific study has been completed to verify claims that tea is actually good for us.
In the meantime, I'll reach for it when I need a nice little stress reliever or to take a break from coffee.
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Great questions.
Drinking tea seems to be one of the most inexpensive, accessible and even tastiest ways to take us one step closer to good health. And apparently, some research is being performed to back up claims that the National Institutes of Health consider somewhat dubious. I'll refer you to a great article from the April issue of Science Daily that discusses the health benefits of black, oolong, white and green teas.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402212428.htm
The study found that water extracts of black tea had the highest effect on inhibiting the activity of alpha-glucosidase -- responsible for triggering the absorption of glucose by the small intestine, followed by white tea and oolong tea.
In addition, scientists compared the health benefits of red wine and white wine and compared how red wine and tea offered similar protection -- in a space that is lengthier than what we provide here.
Also, with regard to the caffeine content of tea, you'll find that our good friends at the U.S. National Library of Medicine say that green tea does have caffeine and is considered a stimulant. The average cup of tea has about half the caffeine content as a cup of coffee. You can find out more about that here.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-green_tea.html
For more about the alleged benefits of black tea here.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-black_tea.html
Nothing was noted in their database about white tea.
Interestingly, the NLM and National Institutes of Health gave both green and black tea 'C's when it came to health benefits concluding that not enough scientific study has been completed to verify claims that tea is actually good for us.
In the meantime, I'll reach for it when I need a nice little stress reliever or to take a break from coffee.
Hope that information helps.
June 24, 2008 - 8:40pmThis Comment
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