Few things are as delightfully warm and delicious as a hot cuppa. And when a group of nutrition scientists met recently at the United States Department of Agriculture, they presented convincing new evidence that confirms the enormous health benefits of tea.
Tea Tantalises the Experts
In the past five years, a staggering 5,600-plus studies have been conducted to unveil the health benefits of tea. This is great news for consumers, as the suite of research provides in-depth analysis of tea and its role in improving our health and wellbeing.
At the symposium, Jeffrey Blumberg from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy said that "there is now an overwhelming body of research from around the world indicating the drinking tea can enhance human health."
He pointed to the "bioactive compounds" in tea that aid the body's cells, which is why tea is seemingly beneficial for almost every bodily system and function.
Good for the Heart
Among the research presented at the meeting were findings that tea works wonders for the heart. The latest study out of Italy found that black tea reduces blood pressure. A group of patients with hypertension were asked to drink black tea after a high-fat meal. Interestingly, the black tea counteracted the adverse effects of the fatty meal on participants' blood flow and blood pressure.
Claudio Ferri, who presented the research, said the results indicated that drinking tea could help significantly reduce the risk of stroke, heart attacks and other cardiovascular events.
Wonderful for Weight Loss
Weight loss is a hot topic these days, as researchers strive to find a solution to the western world's obesity rates. While many ‘solutions' promise rapid weight loss that can't be sustained, tea may be beneficial in providing long-term weight loss.
Researchers from Maastricht University in the Netherlands discovered that green tea increases 24-hour energy expenditure and fat oxidation. This equates to a higher rate of calorie burning of 100 calories per 24 hours.
Encouragingly, participants lost around 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg) in 12 weeks, without altering their diet. These findings have prompted health experts to praise tea as an ideal calorie-free drink for weight loss, when combined with a healthy diet.
Other Health Benefits of Tea
New research has also found that tea can benefit:
- Bone and muscle strength
- Mental alertness
- Prevent cancerous cells
- Enhance the effects of some chemotherapy medication
- Prevent inflammation
More information about the research presented at the United States Department of Agriculture can be found on the Health News Digest website.
Keen to try tea and experience its health benefits? Speak to your local naturopath or nutritionist about tea tonics and mixes to suit your health profile and needs.
