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. 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 its got two things going for it."

 

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.

 

Dr Ruxton's team found average tea consumption was just under three cups per day. She said the increasing popularity of soft drinks meant many people were not drinking as much tea as before. "Tea drinking is most common in older people, the 40 plus age range. In older people, tea sometimes made up about 70% of fluid intake so it is a really important contributor," she said.

 

Claire Williams of the British Nutrition Foundation said: "Studies in the laboratory have shown potential health benefits. "The evidence in humans is not as strong and more studies need to be done. But there are definite potential health benefits from the polyphenols in terms of reducing the risk of diseases such heart disease and cancers. In terms of fluid intake, we recommend 1.5-2 litres per day and that can include tea. Tea is not dehydrating. It's a healthy drink."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5281046.stm?ls

That's very interesting considering i've tried to cut my tea intake and increase my water intake recently. I'm confused now. Gotta wonder how creditalbe these scientist are.

hmm...that seems really interesting

jesus....that's good new for me.

 

Unless of course they are telling big fat lies.

 

I don't like the bit about fluoride because it's actually bad for you.

That's very interesting considering i've tried to cut my tea intake and increase my water intake recently. I'm confused now. Gotta wonder how creditalbe these scientist are.

 

So am I. I've been starting to drink tea, and they are saying it's good for you, yet it might impair your body's ability to absorb iron from food...and that it might protect from cancer, but it's not clear-cut yet. Maybe I'm just stupid, but my head's spinning! :confused:

I don't like the bit about fluoride because it's actually bad for you.

at least you'll have nice choppers when you die

at least you'll have nice choppers when you die

 

 

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Well I've always drunk loads of tea! It's easily my number one drink, and I always take it with a spoonful of honey! Bring it on!!:D

Tea is the best drink---that's for sure! Actually it's a truth which has been passing on for thousands of years!

I wonder who sponsered the research.

 

Could have been sponsered by a tea-company either directly or in-directly, if that is true then the entire project must be rejected due to the fact that it might be bias to find things in favour of the tea company.

And here was me thinking that all the water I drink was making me healthy, why did I bother?

typhoo or pg tips probably sponsored this one! :lol:

typhoo or pg tips probably sponsored this one! :lol:

 

I gnu it!!:rolleyes:

 

But I bet Betley prefers Tetley!!:P

But I bet Betley prefers Tetley!!:P

So lame, but i laughed.

^^HEHE....

^^HEHE....

 

Don't you mean "Tea-hee"??:P

jesus....that's good new for me.

 

Unless of course they are telling big fat lies.

 

I don't like the bit about fluoride because it's actually bad for you.

 

Really? my doc has me on a floride rinse every night

 

But anyways i stopped drinking tea because it has so much suger when i make it, but since its good for me ill start up again.

Really? my doc has me on a floride rinse every night

 

But anyways i stopped drinking tea because it has so much suger when i make it, but since its good for me ill start up again.

 

Well in that case you should do what I did and get into the habit of using honey instead of sugar. Honey is very good for you, too!!:D

Thats a great idea, i never thought about that. thanks.

Thats a great idea' date=' i never thought about that. thanks.[/quote']

 

No problem. I got into the habit several years ago after a visit to Vancouver Island!!

Now I wouldn't have it any other way!:D

Don't you mean "Tea-hee"??:P

 

That's cute! How come I didn't think of that....

Really? my doc has me on a floride rinse every night

 

But anyways i stopped drinking tea because it has so much suger when i make it, but since its good for me ill start up again.

 

Yeah, check it out.

 

Fluoride is actually pretty bad.....increasing numbers of people (doctors) have identified fluoride as a health concern, and more US jurisdictions are fighting fluoridation of water.....

 

We have Fluride in the water here.....and I try not to drink it....

 

It's long been said that it's good and has been just accepted......when in fact it probably should be avoided. Lot's of people don't even realise this as it's what they have been taught......even doctors.

 

Just like they are now saying that Mercury is good for your brain, I mean what the fuck?!? It's in vaccines you know.......here's a news report saying Mercury is good....

 

VIDEO: News Report about how good Mercury is for you (madness)

 

That's why autism is rising in kids after vaccines then?? What lies, it's a horrible poison.

 

Mercury = Brain Damage

That's cute! How come I didn't think of that....

 

Not enough practice!:P

^^True...I gotta work on my puns...:P

^^True...I gotta work on my puns...:P

 

Yesirtea!!:rolleyes: