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| The cradle of tea culture is commonly known in Asia. Illustration photo: Phuong Mai/Tin Tuc Newspaper |
For a long time, the cradle of tea culture has been known in Asia with some countries such as Japan and China. But tea is also one of the popular drinks in the UK. About 1/3 of British people drink 4-5 cups of tea a day and the country is known as "the nation of tea drinkers". British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also has the habit of drinking tea, considering it a way to build the image of a close and simple leader.
Studies show that drinking tea has surprising health benefits. Green or black tea – which contains antioxidants and compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body – is often considered the healthiest type of tea.
According to Dr Carrie Ruxton, nutritionist at the British Tea Advisory Council, tea is rich in polyphenols – naturally occurring bioactive plant compounds – which have antioxidant effects in the body. Getting enough antioxidants in your diet from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beverages is important to counteract the effects of ageing and modern lifestyles that cause cell damage (through oxidation of cell membranes).
Regarding the notion that adding milk to tea will reduce the health benefits of tea, Ms. Ruxton said that this is a misconception. According to this expert, there is currently no evidence that adding milk reduces the benefits of tea. In fact, for women, adding milk to tea brings other health benefits because milk will add calcium to help protect bone density.
As for heart health, Ruxton says tea is good for heart health to a certain extent. Polyphenols have antioxidant properties, especially flavan-3-ols (a type of flavonoid - a plant compound rich in antioxidants) that help reduce high blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack.
According to Mr. Gunter Kuhnle - Professor of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Reading (UK), flavanol compounds found in tea have been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease to the point that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in the US even recommends consuming 400 - 600 mg of tea per day, equivalent to about 3 cups of green tea or 8 cups of black tea per day.
A clinical trial showed that drinking 3 cups of black tea per day for 6 months significantly reduced high blood pressure levels, similar to the effect on blood pressure of losing 2-3 kg of weight.
Another benefit is that tea can help improve gut health. According to Dr. Ruxton, tea is fortified with prebiotics, which promote the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms in the gut, thereby reducing the risk of constipation, inflammatory bowel disease and respiratory infections, as well as a more balanced immune system.
Drinking tea daily has been linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. A study in the journal Nutrition Research found that people who drank more than four cups of tea a day had a 17% lower risk of type 2 diabetes. This effect of tea may be due to polyphenols that help cells throughout the body better absorb glucose from the blood, helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
There are more than 100 different types of cancer, some of which cannot be prevented. However, the polyphenols in black tea may help slow the growth of some cancers and promote the death of cancer cells.
Dr Ruxton said large-scale studies showed that people who regularly drank green or black tea had a lower risk of cancer, particularly bowel cancer. One study found that those who drank the most green tea had a 22% lower risk of endometrial cancer.
Another benefit of drinking tea is that it helps reduce stress and improve mental focus in distracting work conditions, thanks to L-theanine found in green and black tea. L-theanine, along with other substances including polyphenols, theaflavins, thearubigins, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), all have a direct effect on the brain, helping to reduce stress while creating calmness and relaxation, thereby improving sleep.
Finally, Professor Kuhnle says tea also improves mental health. This is partly due to flavanols, which have been shown to improve cognitive function. In addition, the social aspect of sitting down to enjoy tea together plays an important role in the emotional health and mood of participants. Many studies have shown that better mental health leads to happier people, which in turn leads to longer lives.
According to VNA
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/doi-song/am-thuc/202506/loi-ich-suc-khoe-khi-uong-tra-moi-ngay-f8b5a71/
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