Tea's antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging... of skin etc

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Last Updated: Thursday, 24 August 2006, 09:51 GMT 10:51 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Tea 'healthier' drink than water The researchers recommend people consume three to four cups a day 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. Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so its got two things going for it Lead author Dr Ruxton 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. Tea is not dehydrating. It is a healthy drink Claire Williamson of the British Nutrition Foundation 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 Williamson 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 as 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 is a healthy drink." The Tea Council provided funding for the work. Dr Ruxton stressed that the work was independent.

This is from the Org Rules:

In general, post if you have something to say. If you want to start a new thread, make it worthwhile. Don't be lazy and give a 1-sentence "what do you think about X?". At least explain your position, why, etc... make it interesting to read; you're more likely to get quality responses.

Don't copy and repost an entire webpage for us to sift through... State your claim and be prepared to back it up. If needed, show your work.

^ They posted an article that backs up their claims; nearly every third thread in GD is started like that.

Anyway, nice to hear, I love tea! However, if tea really were that good for your teeth, why is it the English often have such bad teeth?

ZombieKitten said:

My dad told me that the tannins from black tea stain your teeth just like red wine does.

And that's true, just like caffeine. But the tan is not necessarily bad or unhealthy for your teeth, that's why it probably wasn't addressed in the article. The fluoride actually is good for your teeth, regardless of the colour the tannin leaves behind.

However, this only occurs with black tea and (occasionally) green tea. All other kinds of tea are quite safe when it comes to tooth colouring.

In America, it has long been believed that tea has a effeminizing effect, causing men to develop certain undesirable fey features, like loss of body hair, heightenned cortizon production, and dropping of the 'r' at the end of words (example, the word "car" would end up sounding "cah" with a slightly girlish posh air to it).

As such, adopting tea has been really difficult, and we have been slow to do so.

I have however learned to really love Oolong tea which uses green tea leaves

but slightly ferments them before production--I drink it a few times a week,

and have learned to love the stuff. I am, however, quite cautious to check

my testosterone and cortizone levels.

imago said:

In America, it has long been believed that tea has a effeminizing effect, causing men to develop certain undesirable fey features, like loss of body hair, heightenned cortizon production, and dropping of the 'r' at the end of words (example, the word "car" would end up sounding "cah" with a slightly girlish posh air to it).

Dave1992 said:

imago said:

In America, it has long been believed that tea has a effeminizing effect, causing men to develop certain undesirable fey features, like loss of body hair, heightenned cortizon production, and dropping of the 'r' at the end of words (example, the word "car" would end up sounding "cah" with a slightly girlish posh air to it).

Sometimes I think only you and Ace understand that I'm just taking a piss.

( our maybe, others understand, but only you two think it's funny. )

Dave1992 said:

ZombieKitten said:

Dave1992 said:

And that's true, just like caffeine. But the tan is not necessarily bad or unhealthy for your teeth, that's why it probably wasn't addressed in the article. The fluoride actually is good for your teeth, regardless of the colour the tannin leaves behind.

However, this only occurs with black tea and (occasionally) green tea. All other kinds of tea are quite safe when it comes to tooth colouring.

My dad also said if you put milk or lemon in it, it doesn't stain

I'm afraid that's not true...

no shit thank you BBC news, you're just as hlepful as a repost of Yahoo news blog

I drink green tea all the time at work and sometimes people ask me if I'm sick.

Americans are a trip.

3rdeyedude said:

Dave1992 said:

ZombieKitten said:

Dave1992 said: My dad also said if you put milk or lemon in it, it doesn't stain

I'm afraid that's not true...

it's not entirely untrue

ZombieKitten said:

Dave1992 said:

I'm afraid that's not true...

it's not entirely untrue

How come?

Dave1992 said:

ZombieKitten said:

it's not entirely untrue

How come?

you can't prevent it but you CAN reduce it

http://www.freysmiles.com...dding-milk

Theaflavins and thearubigins, the dark tooth staining molecules that love to stick to teeth, also have a very high affinity for milk proteins called caseins that are found in animal milks. Caseins surround the staining molecules and keep them from sticking to your teeth. This binding between milk proteins and theaflavins/thearubigins is enhanced by milk fats, so the higher the fat content in the milk you add the greater the stain reduction.

Unfortunately, this effect on staining doesn't apply to soy, rice, almond, or any other type of non-animal milk (using non-animal milks may actu...e staining), but it will work a bit with creamers because they contain small amounts of caseins. The bottom line is choose whatever tastes good to you, but know that cow milk or any other animal milk with a high fat content will give the greatest reduction in staining. Sorry skim milk fans.

Lemon I've never believed

Interesting, thank you!

ZombieKitten said:

Dave1992 said:

you can't prevent it but you CAN reduce it

http://www.freysmiles.com...dding-milk

Theaflavins and thearubigins, the dark tooth staining molecules that love to stick to teeth, also have a very high affinity for milk proteins called caseins that are found in animal milks. Caseins surround the staining molecules and keep them from sticking to your teeth. This binding between milk proteins and theaflavins/thearubigins is enhanced by milk fats, so the higher the fat content in the milk you add the greater the stain reduction.

Unfortunately, this effect on staining doesn't apply to soy, rice, almond, or any other type of non-animal milk (using non-animal milks may actu...e staining), but it will work a bit with creamers because they contain small amounts of caseins. The bottom line is choose whatever tastes good to you, but know that cow milk or any other animal milk with a high fat content will give the greatest reduction in staining. Sorry skim milk fans.

Lemon I've never believed

I love TEA - all kinds - and yes of course it's more nutritious than water. Water really has no nutritional value other than to keep your blood moving and filtering the liver. This is why it's suggested to drink daily. And with Lemon being a natural blood cleanser, a cuppa hot water and Lemon is one of best ways to at least start your day.

Cheers!

imago said:

In America, it has long been believed that tea has a effeminizing effect, causing men to develop certain undesirable fey features, like loss of body hair, heightenned cortizon production, and dropping of the 'r' at the end of words (example, the word "car" would end up sounding "cah" with a slightly girlish posh air to it).

As such, adopting tea has been really difficult, and we have been slow to do so.

I have however learned to really love Oolong tea which uses green tea leaves

but slightly ferments them before production--I drink it a few times a week,

and have learned to love the stuff. I am, however, quite cautious to check

my testosterone and cortizone levels.

What do they say about ICED tea? Because that's really the only type I ever drunk.

imago said:

In America, it has long been believed that tea has a effeminizing effect, causing men to develop certain undesirable fey features, like loss of body hair, heightenned cortizon production, and dropping of the 'r' at the end of words (example, the word "car" would end up sounding "cah" with a slightly girlish posh air to it).

As such, adopting tea has been really difficult, and we have been slow to do so.

I have however learned to really love Oolong tea which uses green tea leaves

but slightly ferments them before production--I drink it a few times a week,

and have learned to love the stuff. I am, however, quite cautious to check

my testosterone and cortizone levels.

What? Born and raised and I have never heard that about tea.

Timmy84 said:

What do they say about ICED tea? Because that's really the only type I ever drunk.

IT would be the same. I don't know where he gets this thing about tea in America. He's never lived down South where that was on the table every Sunday and usually during the week. No soda. Ice tea.