Green and black teas, which contain antioxidants and compounds that reduce inflammation in the body, are generally considered to be good for our health, but there’s no need to worry if you can’t resist drinking a drop of the white stuff. there is no.
“It’s a health myth that adding milk to tea reduces the health effects of a cup of tea,” says Dr Ruxton. “Research studies have found inconsistent results in terms of antioxidant activity and polyphenol levels in the blood. As a result, there is no evidence that adding milk has a negative effect on the health benefits of tea. In fact, for women, adding milk to tea increases calcium intake, which protects bone density. and other health benefits.”
Supports heart health
“Tea is good for your heart in several ways,” Ruxton says. “Polyphenols, especially flavan-3-ols, which are part of the flavonoid family, have a positive effect on vascular function, making them easier for blood to flow, increasing their elasticity and lowering blood pressure. Blood pressure. Lower levels reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Gunter Kuhnle is Professor of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Reading. He says the flavanols found in tea have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, with the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommending consuming 400 to 600 milligrams per day.
“We tried to translate this into regular food, which is the equivalent of approximately three cups of green tea or eight cups of black tea per day,” says Professor Kuhnle.
A clinical trial found that drinking three cups of black tea a day for six months significantly lowered blood pressure by 2 to 3 mmHg. This is the same effect on blood pressure as losing a few pounds.
Professor Ruxton said polyphenols may also benefit heart health by helping to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, which Harvard University found in a large-scale study of tea drinkers. Researchers found that people who drank at least three to four cups a day were less likely to have negative effects on their heart health. I’m having a heart attack.
May improve gut health
We’re becoming increasingly aware of the importance of gut health, but not everyone likes drinking kefir or kombucha. Luckily, tea bags are much cheaper and offer some benefits for your tummy as well.
Some natural foods are prebioticsThis means promoting healthier bacterial species in your gut, and both green and black tea are among these special foods, Ruxton says.
“Having a healthy gut flora is associated with a lower risk of constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, and respiratory infections, and a more balanced immune system.”
She explains that this is because most of the polyphenols in tea are not digested in the upper intestine and are instead sent to the colon (large intestine), where they are broken down by gut bacteria and turned into food.
“The ‘good bacteria’ in your gut tend to enjoy polyphenols, so drinking tea regularly can encourage the growth of these bacteria.”
