Tea and Preventing Heart Attack
Research continues to stream in showing that antioxidant polyphenols in tea fight heart attack, stroke, and certain cancers. If your still among those that have not converted to drinking tea, these new studies might be enough
for a re-consideration.
- In Taiwan, researchers studying 1,000 people found that those who averaged just 2 cups of tea-black, green, or oolong-once a week for 10 years had 20% lower body fat and 2% lower waist-to-hip ratios compared with those who didn't drink tea.
- Tea is rich in polyphenols, which have activities consistent with blood pressure–lowering potential. Australian researchers report that tea intake is inversely related to blood pressure. In a study of 218 women, the researchers report that for each one cup increase of tea drunk daily, up to four cups, systolic pressure dropped to points, and diastolic pressure dropped 1 point.
- USDA scientists recently reported that 15 people cut their mildly elevated cholesterol by 7% and their "bad" LDL cholesterol by 11% after just 3 weeks of drinking 5 daily cups of black tea. "A cup or two a day for a longer period should also work," says Joseph Judd, PhD
The mistake most people make is that after reading research based reports like this, they head straight for the nearest super market and buy low grade green tea. Upon returning home, they waste little time in boiling water and tossing in a tea bag. The result is anything but a satisfying elixir. And good health or not, the foray into the world of tea is over before it really ever began.
Select a high quality tea, invest in an appropriate teaware, and spend a few moments to learn moments on proper brewing technique.
