Health Benefits of Tea provide more reasons than ever to enjoy a cuppa tea.

1 of 29. Tea Named "Beverage of the Year" Health benefits provide more reasons than ever to enjoy a cuppa from Tea Council of Canada - January 11, 1998

TORONTO, ON - Hot or cold, black, green or specially flavored - the popularity of tea continues to soar as prestigious Eating Well magazine has named this humble drink its beverage of the year" in its recent year-end food and health edition.

New studies, first released last fall at the 2nd International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health, suggest that tea - rich in antioxidants - may protect against certain cancers including oral, digestive, lung, colon, and may also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Couple that good news with its affordability - tea still costs just pennies a cup - and its traditionally good taste, and its no surprise that tea topped the list.

"The fact that one of the premiere food and health magazines would recognize tea's benefits reflects the increasing popularity we've experienced in Canada", says Danielle O'Rourke, President of the Tea Council of Canada. Last year, total sales of tea increased by 10%, and there is renewed interest in serving tea and tea drinks among food service operators.

"In 1999, we anticipate even more interest from consumers with the growing interest in loose tea varieties, popularity of iced tea and specialty beverages such as chai, a traditional Indian tea latte, that is now seen on many restaurant and coffeehouse menus. We also anticipate continued good news on the health benefits of tea as scientists further explore the protective effect of antioxidents, flavonoids and polyphenols - all significant compounds found inn tea" says Ms. O'Rourke.

According to Dr. John Weisburger, Chair of the Tea and Human Health Symposium and a senior Member of the American Health Foundation, drinking even one cup of tea a day can help boost the antioxidant activity in the body and contribute to improved health. "I suggest a daily intake of five or six cups, but more is fine." says Dr. Weisburger. "Tea is a soothing and delicious beverage , with only one third to one half the caffeine of an equivalent serving of coffee. Also the antioxidant potential of decaffeinated tea remains high."

Additionally, scientific information from the USDA points out that drinking one cup of tea could make a significant contribution to daily antioxidant intake, equivalent to approximately one serving of vegetables.

"it is exciting to see that tea compares favorably to vegetables." says Dr. Milly Ryan-Harshman a nutrition consultant with FEAST Enterprises and an advisor to the TEA Council of Canada. "TEA cannot replace the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables , but it can be a complimentary source of antioxidants, with heath potential in every fresh-brewed cup."

Futurists and trend watchers are also pointing to a banner year for tea in 1999. According to Lucy Waverman, a well-known Canadian food writer and author , and Art Siemering, editor of Trend/Wire, a North American food and beverage trend publication, more and more people will be attracted to tea as they search for exotic flavor experiences, food that fit healthier lifestyles and foods that speak to "comfort" and "simplicity" - key factors driving consumer trends this year.

"What could be simpler or more comforting than sipping a perfect cup of the world's most popular beverage - tea?" says Ms. O'Rourke. "Canadians already drink over seven billion cups each year and with the added attraction of its proven health benefits, it makes good sense to include tea as part of a healthy diet every day."



2 of 29. Big Red from Vegetarian Times, Jan2002 Issue 293

Aside from water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. And with all the evidence researchers have discovered about its health benefits, a humble cup of tea may also be one of our best defenses against illness, aging and disease.

A number of studies have linked tea consumption, particularly green tea, to improved health. Research indicates that it contains compounds called polyphenols--antioxidants that neutralize disease-causing free radicals. There are four primary polyphenols in green tea that are believed to increase longevity by boosting the immune system, regulating cholesterol levels and alleviating the inflammation associated with arthritis. They have also been shown to decrease the risk of certain cancers, including that of the bladder, stomach, liver and breast. Even black tea, the variety favored by most tea drinkers in the United States, has been proven to prevent blood clots and lower the risk of heart disease.

Scientists are now seeing red and turning their focus to rooibos (roy-boss) or red tea, so named because of the deep garnet color of its leaves. This naturally caffeine-free tea is indigenous to South Africa, where it's been touted for its medicinal properties since the early 1900s. Rooibos, in fact, is Afrikaans for "red bush." South Africans were the first to discover the tea's ability to ease headaches, digestive problems, allergy symptoms and colic. It's also used to combat irritability, insomnia and tension. Moreover, red tea is high in vitamin C, and contains generous amounts of minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Although research is in the early stages, preliminary findings indicate rooibos tea may even contain more polyphenols than green tea. At least eight different polyphenols have been identified in rooibos. Scientists are trying to pinpoint how these antioxidants work in the body, particularly in relation to liver function, blood sugar levels and brain activity. Rooibos tea may very well be the next red-hot winner on the supplement scene.



3 of 29. Remedies: Tea Time; New study shows heart benefits from Newsweek; New York; May 27, 2002; Anne Underwood

Recently Dr. Kenneth Mukamal of Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reported that out of 1,900 heart-attack patients, those who drank two or more cups a day reduced their risk of dying over the next 3.8 years by 44 percent. The beneficial teas included black and green, bagged and loose leaf. But brewing is crucial. One cancer study found that instant and bottled teas afforded no protection, because they're too diluted and low in antioxidants. The stronger the brew, the better.



4 of 29. Say Oolong to Extra Pounds from Prevention Magazine, September 2002

Now you can add a tea traditionally served in Chinese restaurantts and sold in supermarkets to the growing list of fat fighting foods. In a small study at Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland, men who drank five cups of oolong tea a day burned 80 calories more over 24 hours. That 8 lb in a year-without making any other changes!

Researchers believe that caffeine and polyphenol compounds in the tea work to promote weight loss in two ways: by speeding up metabolism and by turning on your body’s fat burners. More reasons to sip: Oolong tea tastes richer than green tea, another calorie-burning brew. And it contains anti-oxidants that may prevent heart disease and cancer.



5 of 29. Deodorant in your Pantry from Prevention Magazine, July 2001

Looking for a natural deodorant? Simply simmer two tea bags (any variety of black tea will do) in a cup of water, and steep for five minutes. When the tea cools, dab it on your underarms with a wash cloth. Tea contains tannic acid an astringent thought to trigger antiperspirant action. For sweaty feet, boil five tea bags in a quart of water; when the solution cools, soak your feet for twenty minutes. Depending on your sweating capacity, a tea soak will last 1-3 days.



6 of 29. Tea for me from Runners World Magazine, July 2002

Two new studies report that green tea can fight inflammation and protect your joints. The polyphenols in green tea act as anti-inflmmatory agents, while the catechins protect collagen, strengthening the tissues in joints.



7 of 29. Tea for Two From the Sunday Telegraph

"It appears that tea improves your ability to do two consecutive tasks and also to do two things at once," Kimron Shapiro a professor of psychology at the University of Wales, told The Sunday Telegraph. "There is some property in tea that helps the brain deploy from one task to another." He demonstrated that caffeine was not the responsible agent because tea drinkers in his research outperformed coffee drinkers.



8 of 29. Healthy heart may be just your cup of tea from The Atlanta Constitution - July 1999

Iced tea on a hot summer day refreshes the body and mind. It may also help you live longer. Drinking at least 8 ounces of tea a day - whether hot or cold - appears to cut the risk of heart attack by 44 percent, a study suggests. The beneficial results probably are due to the powerful amounts of natural substances in tea known as flavonoids, vitamin-like nutrients that make blood cells less prone to clotting. Flavonoids are one of the most powerful antibodies. Flavonoids are also found in fruits and vegetables and red wine. While several studies have suggested that drinking teas could be good for the heart, the latest findings indicate the most dramatic effect. The study by Dr. Michael Gaziano, a heart specialist at the Harvard Medical School affiliate Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, was presented at a Royal Society of Medicine conference in London. It examined 340 men and women who had heart attacks and matched them by age, sex and neighborhood with people who never had heart attacks. It then investigated their coffee and tea drinking habits over the year. The study involved regular tea from black tea leaves, as opposed to green or herbal teas. Scientists say black tea contains the most powerful flavonoids. Other studies have shown that adding milk, sugar or lemon to the tea does not diminish the effect of the flavonoids. The study did not compare the benefits of one cup vs. two, three or four.



9 of 29. Drinking tea is good for your teeth. from Sunday Mirror - May 2000

New research from Japan shows that just drinking an extra cuppa could be invaluable in the fight against decay and reducing plaque. "Tea is a healthy drink with many beneficial properties for teeth," said Stuart Boulton , of the British Dental Health Foundation. In a survey eight out of ten dentists agreed, pointing out that tea was a natural sourse of fluoride..



10 of 29. Green and Herbal Tea in Canada from Canada NewsWire - May 2001

Canadian tea drinkers are having a love affair with tea, with 22 per cent drinking more tea than they did two years ago. This according to a new ACNielsen survey of 2000 Canadians conducted in March 2001 and released today by the Tea Council of Canada. And while regular black tea continues to be the most popular among Canadians, green and herbal teas sales are fueling the growth within the tea category. British Columbia leads the nation with the highest percentage of green tea drinkers in the country -- 27 per cent compared to the national average of 19 per cent, while the Atlantic Provinces have the lowest percentage -- just seven per cent. Herbal teas are most popular with Albertans and British Columbians, and least likely to be consumed by Maritimers, who are the leading black tea drinkers in the country. Almost one half of all Canadians (45 per cent) believe that tea offers significant health benefits and awareness is most evident in Ontario and the West and also among women rather than men.



11 of 29. Tea for all ages * from Tea Council of Canada - (*Results of an AC Neilson survey of 2229 Canadians conducted in late February and early March 2000

a. What types of tea are teens 12 to 17 drinking?

41 per cent drink regular black tea
24 per cent drink green tea
48 per cent drink herbal infusions
80 per cent drink iced tea
Top two reasons why teens vary their tea choice:

#1 depends on how they feel or what mood they are in
#2 depends on what type of food they are eating

b. What makes a great tea experience?

Teens (12 to 17) are more interested in loose leaf teas than other age group.
Teens closely rank the cup and saucer and the mug in importance, but like tea served in a mug more than any other age group.
More than other age groups, teens want a wide selection of herbal infusions and specialty black teas when ordering tea in restaurants.



12 of 29. Civilized and healthy from The Toronto Star - Jan. 4, 2002

Drinking green tea can help prevent mouth cancer, says the U.S. Academy of General Dentistry, which has published a study in its journal. Polyphenols in the tea act as antioxidants, working to remove free radicals that cause gene mutation. The tea also kills off cancerous cells that may be present and prevents them from spreading. The catch is that a person needs to slurp up four to six cups of green tea a day to get the benefits. However, actually drinking it isn't necessary: You can swish and rinse, please.



13 of 29. The most potent health drink ever from U.S.A. Today - November 18, 2001

It's tea time , say intriguing new research findings. Recent studies in leading medical journals declare tea a potential heart tonic, cancer blocker, fat buster, immune stimulant, arthritis soother, virus fighter and cholesterol detoxifier. Not bad for a lowly shrub soaked in a little hot water. "Tea is beating all scientific expectations as the most potent health beverage ever, " says researcher John Weisburger at the American Health Foundation. "The many ways tea can promote health is truly astonishing."
Bottom Line : Each day you should drink three to six 8-ounce cups of tea. It can be black or green, hot or iced, decaf or not.

Here's how tea helps your health :

a. Saves arteries. Drinking black tea helps prevent deadly clogging of arteries and reverses poor arterial functioning that can trigger heart attacks and strokes, two major new studies have found. In a large 10 year study in the Netherlands, men who consumed the amount of antioxidents called "catechins" found in three cups of black tea were 50% less likely to die of ischemic heart disease, caused by narrowed clogged arteries, than were men who consumed only the catechins in half a cup of tea. In another recent test, Joseph Vita, M.D., of the Boston University School of Medicine, had heart patients drink either plain water or four cups of black tea daily. In a month, impaired blood vessel functioning (a risk for heart attack and strokes) improved about 50% in the tea drinkers.

b. Inhibits cancer growth. Tea has long been tied to a lower risk of stomach, colon and breast cancer, although the connection is not proven. Now lab studies find that tea chemicals actually may stop cancer growth. Rutgers University researchers showed that a compound in black tea called TF-2 caused colorectal cancer cells to "commit suicide"; normal cells were unaffected. "The effect is quite dramatic," said Rutger's professor Kuang Yu Chen, who speculates that the chemical might one day be made into an anti-cancer drug.

c. Tames inflammation. Researchers at Case Western reserve University gave arthritis-prone mice either green tea or water. The human equivalent of four cuos of green tea daily halved the mice;s risk of developing arthritis. Also intriguing : TF-2, the newly discovered anti-cancer compound in black tea, suppresses the Cox-2 gene that riggers inflammation, says research at Rutgers. That's the same way the drugs Vioxx and Celebrex work. Also, in a UCLA study of 600 Chinese men and women, drinking green tea halved the risk of chronic stomach inflammation which can lead to cancer.

d. Wipes out viruses. Previous tests prove tea can neutralize germs, including some that cause diarrhea, pneumonia, cystitis and skin infections. New research by Milton Schiffenbauer of Pace University finds that black and green tea deactivates viruses, including herpes. When you drink tea, he says, chances are good you will wipe out viruses in your mouth. Flu viruses, too? Possibly. A recent Japanese study showed that gargling with black tea boosted immunity to influenza. recent research at Harvard indicated that tea chemicals stimulated gamma-delta T-cells that bolster immunity against bacterial and viruses.

e. Burns calories. Most suprising, green tea's antioxidant EGCG stimulates the body to burn calories, notably fat. In a Swiss study, a daily dose of 270mg EGCG (the amount in 2 to 3 cups of green tea) caused men to burn 4% more energy - about 80 extra calories a day. Green tea did not increase heart rate, and the calorie burning was not due to caffeine.
Plus : Canadian researchers block cavities in mice by replacing their water with tea. Indian eye researchers have retarded cataracts in rats by feeding the animals tea extract. Israeli scientists block Parkinson's-like brain damage in mice by giving them green tea extract or pure EGCG.

For best benefits ...
Drink both black and green tea, the regular kind sold in bags or leaves in grocery stores. Their antioxidants are equal. But green tea boasts special acting EGCG.
Bottled tea and instant tea have few antioxidants, research shows.
Herbal teas do not have the same health properties as real tea (Camellia sinensis).
Tea with caffeine has slightly more antioxidant activity.
Steep tea leaves or bags in hot water 3 to 5 minutes to thoroughly release antioxidants.
Adding milk to tea does not block absorption of antioxidants, new Dutch research finds.
Don't give much tea to kids. Tea "chelates" iron, removing it from the body. That may help chronic disease but can cause anemia in young people.



14 of 29. Tea for Teeth from Men's Health; Sep2003, Vol. 18 Issue 7

"Green" and "teeth" are two words you rarely see together. But new research suggests that green tea may be good for your teeth. In trials, researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago found that drinking green tea may reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. In a separate study, Pace University researchers determined that compounds called flavornoids in green tea work with the germ killers in toothpaste and mouthwash, making them even more effective at fighting viruses and preventing cavities. If that's not reason enough to pour yourself a cup, green tea is also a good source of the B vitamin PQQ-the first new vitamin to be discovered in more than 50 years.



15 of 29. Green tea could hold the key to cancer's riddle from The Village Voice - Forrest Hill Village, Toronto by Pat Young. Jan 2004

There is mounting evidence that green tea's ability to fight cancer is even more potent and varied than scientists suspected. Researchers from Rochester University have discovered that chemicals in the tea also shut down a key molecule that can play a significant role in the development of cancer. Professor Thomas Gasiewicz says, "Green tea may work differently than we thought to exert its anti-cancer activity. It's likely that the compounds in green tea act through many different pathways." Green tea contains a molecule known as aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor, which has the ability to activate genes but not always in a positive way. The Rochester team showed that the chemicals in this tea shut down the AH receptor in cancerous mouse cells. Early results indicate the same is true in human cells. However, green tea is not a cure-all for cancer. Dr. Julie Sharp, a science information officer at Cancer Research UK, says, "This research describes additional properties of green tea that may be beneficial but which have yet to be tested properly. The causes of cancer are complex, both diet and our genetic makeup act together to influence our risk of developing the disease."



16 of 29. Green tea may curb prostate cancer in men at risk from Reuters, April 19th , 2005

"Compounds found in green tea may prevent the development of prostate cancer in men with a precancerous condition called high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)" said Dr. Saverio Bettuzzi from the University of Parma in Italy. High-grade PIN progresses to invasive prostate cancer within a year in about 30% of men if no treatment is given. Green tea catechins (GTCs) may be the answer, Bettuzzi told the American Association for Cancer Research in Anaheim. The investigator performed a trial on men with high-grade PIN. 30 were given a placebo and 32 a preparation containing 600 mg of GTCs daily, (equivalent to 12-15 cups of green tea). After a year, only 1 man among 32 in the GTC group developed prostate cancer, a rate of 3%. In contrast 9 out 30 treated with placebo developed prostate cancer, for a rate of 30%. "To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that GTCs have potent invivo chemoprevention activity for human prostate cancer." Bettuzzi noted. "There are other studies strongly suggesting that similar results could be obtained for prevention of other types of cancer. As a matter of fact breast and colon cancer are possible targets," said Bettuzzi.


News source listed below are courtesy of their respective suppliers:


17 of 29. Flavonoids - Tea may reduce the risk of many cancers, according to new research. Flavonoids such as catechins and EGCG and other flavonoids in tea may combat cancer on several fronts. EGCG is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin E; both neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Catechins may protect arteries from plaque build up. Some evidence suggests that flavonoids in tea may lower blood cholesterol.



18 of 29. Pay 80% less for antiperspirant - The average bottle of antiperspirant costs about $3 - but a tea bag costs just pennies. A tea bag? Yes! says Andre Rubman M.D. of the University of Bridgeport's College of Naturopathic Medicine. Research shows black tea has the power to control odor and wetness just like antiperspirant! Tea is rich in tannic acid, which studies show is a powerful germicide, killing the germs that cause odor on contact. "Black tea is also an astringent, which temporarily inhibits sweat production by shrinking pores," explains Dr. Rubman. For the best results he advises, drop two tea bags in one cup of boiling water; steep for five minutes, then remove tea bags and cool. Store tea in a tightly closed container, and each day, use a cottonball to dab a small amount under your arms.



19 of 29. Protect your skin from sun damage - with tea! - You've probably heard about green tea's power to prevent heart disease, but did you know it can also protect your skin from sun damage? Recent studies have found that a chemical in green tea called EGCG literally halts the growth of cancers caused by too much sunlight says Deborah Sarnoff, M.D., of New York University Medical School. In fact, the effect is so powerful, you can get the benefit just by drinking tea! To protect your skin, simply cool off at the beach with 32 oz. of iced green tea per day-the effect kicks in right away!



20 of 29. Researchers have found that black tea might give a quick boost to blood-flow to the heart. In a small study they found that blood flow in the coronary arteries improved 2 hours after black tea consumption. The same was not true of a caffeinated drink used for comparison.



21 of 29. The jounal of nutrition reports: Consuming between 30 and 32 ounces of tea everyday over a period of time (the fluid equivalent of 2.5 cans of soda) may reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels by more then 10% and decrease DNA damage caused by smoking.



22 of 29. Research undertaken in Japan indicates that rooibos is high in antioxidants which scavenge on free radicals. Free radicals are toxic compounds which attack healthy cells and accumulated damage contributes to aging and a decline on the immune system.



23 of 29. In a study published by Nature Structural & Molecular Biology; researchers state that a powerful antioxidant in green tea known as EGCG binds to protein found on tumor cells and dramatically slows their growth.



24 of 29. January 5, 2005 - the BBC reported: The popular herbal tea camomile may help relieve a wide range of health ailments, including colds and mentrual cramps. Elaine Holmes, a chemist at Imperial College, London says more research is needed to confirm a firm link.



25 of 29. Georges Friedli in his thesis at the University of Surrey, has written: "Peppermint is frequently used to relieve stomach and bowel spasms and promote the expulsion of flatus. It is a good tea to drink either during meals or after meals to aid digestions."



26 of 29. A study at the University of Oregon indicated that consumption of moderate amounts of green or white tea might provide a protection against colon tumors about as well as a prescription drug, sulindac, that has been shown effective for that purpose.



27 of 29. Pace University - New studies conducted have indicated that White Tea Extract may have prophlactic applications in retarding the growth of bacteria that cause Staphylococcus, Streptococcus infections, pneumonia and dental caries.



28 of 29. Drinkers of green tea are less likely to develop high blood pressure that nondrinkers, a Taiwanese study said Monday. They added that the risk of hypertension, a condition that can lead to heart disease and stroke, declined the more green tea was regularly consumed.



29 of 30. As the temperature outdoors heats up and you're lookingfor a thirst quencher, consider making specialty iced tea which contains a healthy dose of flavonoids. Avoid the pre-sweetened sugar-laden ones that pack a caloric wallop and often contain very little high quality tea.