Tea Health Benefits

TEA CELL

Tea Health Benefits


The heart Black tea - several research studies have shown black tea decreases heart attacks.

Green tea – associated with lower total cholesterol, LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and triglycerides, and higher HDL (the “good cholesterol”). Its components have possible protective effects against heart disease. Although many studies have been done, definite conclusions cannot yet be reached on whether it is helpful for most of the purposes that it is used. Oolong tea – also found to lower bad cholesterol levels.
Blood pressure and blood pressure medications Green tea – reduces blood levels and therefore the effectiveness of the drug Nadolol, a betablocker used for high blood pressure and heart problems. Also prevents clogging of the arteries.

Hibiscus tea – small study found that drinking 3 cups of hibiscus tea daily lowered blood pressure in people with modestly elevated levels.
Cancer It is believed that polyphenol compounds in tea, specifically catechins, may prevent cancer. But studies about the relationship between black tea and cancer are limited and conflicting. Green tea – antioxidants from green tea may interfere with growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.

White tea – one study showed that white tea has the most potent anti-cancer properties compares to more processed teas.
Teeth Studies have shown that the pH of the tooth surface is lowered by tea, which in turn decreases the growth of periodontal bacteria. Tea also has an anticariogenic (substance that interferes with dental caries or cavities) effect due to its fluoride content. Tea acquires fluoride naturally from the soil and when brewed in fluoridated water.
Weight loss Studies showing the effect of tea on weight loss are based on tea extracts, polyphenols, and caffeine, and are not specifically related to brewed tea consumption.

Caffeine content of tea depends on which type of tea and the way it is brewed. Typically, caffeine levels of tea are less than half that of coffee per 1 cup or 8 oz. Black tea has the highest caffeine content.

Brain Green tea – improves mental alertness (due to caffeine content), relieves headaches, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Black tea and green tea may reduce risk of stroke.

Digestion Green tea – relieves digestive symptoms, burns fat,
The liver Liver problems have been reported in a small number of people who took concentrated amounts of tea extracts. This finding is inconclusive but experts suggest consuming the concentrated green tea extracts with food.
The lungs Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by cigarette smoke exposure.

Tea and drug interactions People who take warfarin, a blood thinning medication, should not drink green tea since green tea contains vitamin K and can therefore make warfarin ineffective. Also green tea should not be taken with aspirin because they both prevent platelets from clotting. Green tea also interacts with Adenosine (irregular heart rhythm med.), Antibiotics, Benzodiazepines (anxiety med.), medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, blood thinning medications, chemotherapy, clozapine (anti-psychotic med.), Ephedrine, Lithium (depression med.), MAOIs (blood pressure and depression meds.), Oral contraceptives (can prolong amount of time caffeine stays in body), and Phenylpropanolamine (found in over-the-counter cough and cold meds.)