elow is a summary of some of the health benefits of Tea. To sum it up, by drinking 2-4 cups of tea daily, you can reap in the numerous curative and preventive tea health benefits.
Anti-cancer properties
Numerous studies suggest that green tea protects against a range of cancers, including lung, prostate and breast cancer. The reason being is the antioxidant, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). According to research done at Japans Kyushu University, that growth of human lung cancer cells with a cell receptor called 67 LR is slowed significantly after drinking just two or three cups of green tea, which contains EGCG. According to another research White tea can be even more effective due to a higher rate of EGCG.
A study at Taiwan's Chung Shan Medical University found that people who drank at least one cup of green tea per day were five times less likely to develop lung cancer than those who did not.
Topical applications of green tea extracts also have protective effects on UVA and UVB induced skin damage and may suggest reduced risk of skin cancer.
Antidepressant properties
In a Japanese a study of more frequent consumption of green tea was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms.
Anti-diabetes effect
There is evidence that drinking green tea and black tea may help prevent diabetes however this is evidence of an association, and more in depth studies are needed to confirm the effect.
Effects on bacterial and fungal infections
A study at Pace University reported in May 2008 found white tea extracts to be effective at treating bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and dental caries. White tea was also found to be effective in treating fungal infections and research also showed that white tea extracts have a greater effect than green tea extracts.
Effects on bad breath
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago stated that Tea helps to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath.
Cardiovascular health
Research published in April 2009 by University of L'Aquila suggests that drinking just one cup of regular, black tea per day may help to protect against cardiovascular disease.The research showed that black tea consumption improves blood vessel reactivity, reduce both blood pressure and arterial stiffness, indicating a notably better cardiovascular health profile.
Effects associated with caffeine
A cup of green tea contains between 15 and 50 mg of caffeine. Certain cognitive benefits are associated with caffeine consumption, such as a reduction in the likelihood of Parkinson's disease and a temporary increase in short term memory. Further, caffeine consumption has been linked with greater athletic performance, healthy weight loss, reduction in duration and severity of headaches and is effective in treating the symptoms of asthma.
Lowers chances of cognitive impairment
A 2006 study showed that elderly Japanese people who consumed more than 2 cups of green tea a day had a 50 percent lower chance of having cognitive impairment, in comparison to those who did not. This may be explained due to the effect of EGCG, which passes through the blood-brain barrier.
Effect on Dental Health
Scientists believe that drinking tea may be a good way to keep your teeth healthy. They found that compounds in black tea, white tea and green tea were capable of killing or suppressing growth and acid production of cavity-causing bacteria in dental plaque.
Effects on HIV
A recent study appearing in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology stated that EGCG found in green tea can lead to the inhibition of HIV virus binding and may be used as a complementary therapy for HIV patients. Important to note is that it’s not a cure, and nor is it a safe way to avoid infection; however it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected.
Boosts immune system
Details of a research project concluded by Brigham and Women's Hospital indicated that theanine may help the body's immune system response when fighting infection, because the production of anti-bacterial proteins was up to five times higher in the tea-drinkers, an indicator of a stronger immune response..
Iron overload disorders
Researchers in Germany have found that a daily cup of black tea can help stop excess iron damaging the bodies of people who suffer from hemochromatosis due to its high content of flavonoids which limit iron absorption.
Boosts mental alertness
Theanine found almost exclusively in the tea plant, alters the attention networks of the brain, according to results of human trials. The result is a calmer, yet more alert, state of mind.
Increases metabolic rate
Clinical trials conducted by the University of Geneva and the University of Birmingham indicate that green tea raises metabolic rates, speeds up fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. In addition to caffeine, green tea contains catechin polyphenols that raise thermogenesis (the production of heat by the body), and hence increases energy expenditure. There is also a suggestion that it can increase endurance in exercise by improving fat metabolism.
Lowers stress hormone levels
According to research, drinking black tea can lead to lower levels of the stress hormone after a stressful event. Fifty minutes after being subjected to challenging tasks, subjects who had been drinking 4 cups of black tea daily for 6 weeks, had a 20% greater drop in cortisol than the placebo group.
Stroke
The research, conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles found that drinking green and black varieties of teas has a significant impact on the risk of stroke. Drinking three or more cups of tea per day can reduce the risk of suffering a stroke by as much as 21%.
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