Tea 'healthier' drink than water

[JODO 2]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5281046.stm

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.

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 it's 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.

[mRx 16]

Well, this sounds like a win for tea-lovers

[Aymerlu 3]

HA! I've been telling my co-workers this for years! I'm always getting lectured because I don't like to drink a lot of water, but I always have a huge glass of tea nearby. I can't wait to show them this.

[sereia 0]

this article said it contains flouride so its good for teeth. but if you're moroccan and add a cup (or more) of sugar for a small pot of tea, there goes your teeth! LOL

i do love me some iced tea though.........

Edited May 21, 2007 by abdounjen

[doodlebug 3]

I love my cup of green tea at 3pm. Keeps me going for the rest of the day.

[sereia 0]

ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! :energetic:

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Aha! I knew it! I am an inveterate tea drinker from way back - hot or iced - I more than make those 3 or 4 cups a day:-).

[PaulineA 1]

That's great news!!! I love tea

[doodlebug 3]

ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! :energetic:

No that's the caramel macchiato....YUM!!!!!!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I guess I should revive my weekend ritual cuppa (masala chai), but make it daily instead.

(btw, I mean with leaves and strainer not bags)

Edited May 21, 2007 by CherryXS

[Sinergy 3]

The ONLY thing i drink is tea, sweet iced tea this is good news.

If im not drinking iced tea im drinking coffee, atleast 1 of the 2 is good for me

[SteveLaura 0]

The Tea Council provided funding for the work.

So they're probably congratulating themselves on money well-spent, then...

[Tinker 0]

HA, as an avid tea drinker....

I drink more tea then the recommended amounts of water

[mawilson 2,133]

this article said it contains flouride so its good for teeth. but if you're moroccan and add a cup (or more) of sugar for a small pot of tea, there goes your teeth! LOL

Have they reached our obesity levels yet, consuming so much sugar through cups of tea?

[homesick_american 1]

I thought milk + tea = kidney stones?