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In particular, L-theanine, which is found in black, oolong, white and
green teas, is shaping up to be a powerful substance with a wide range
of applications.
Tea
for Tumors and More
A team of scientists from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's
Hospital recently discovered that drinking 4 or 5 cups of ordinary black
tea each day resulted in human immune cells becoming 10 times more active
when exposed to bacteria than those cells from coffee drinkers.
Experts
say this type of immune activation not only helps the body fight everyday
germs but could be useful against tumor cells as well - an observation
supported by earlier studies. A review of previous clinical trials concluded
that there is "considerable evidence" that tea prevents tumor
development in animal and human cells.
Researchers
have found that the catechins found in tea can halt certain enzyme activities
linked to cancer. Tea catechins may also help repair damaged DNA caused
by free radicals.
Not
surprisingly, stomach and prostate cancer incidence is lowest in regions
of Asia, where green tea is the beverage of choice. After reviewing earlier
green tea studies, Israeli experts concluded that research "clearly
demonstrated that green tea and EGCG have anti cancer and cancer preventive
properties. "Green tea is considered the superior choice by some
experts, who attribute its higher antioxidant count to the fact that it
is less processed than black tea.
Tea's
health benefits extend far beyond increasing immunity against cancer.
Just last year, Japanese researchers found that L-theanine in green tea
protected animal brain cells from damage and death, primarily because
of its ability to prevent formation of LDL "bad" cholesterol,
maybe the fact that tea is also shaping up as a major player in weight
loss will do the trick. In a Swiss study, men who took a combination of
green tea extract and caffeine experienced 32% to 4% more weight loss
than those who were given only caffeine or a placebo. Additionally, USDA
researchers found similar results when they compared calorie burning among
men who drank 5 cups of black (oolong) tea daily with those who drank
plain water or caffeinated water. Caffeinated water scored highest (3.4%
more calorie expenditure), but black tea came in a close second, with
2.9% more calories burned than among the water drinkers.
Teeth
can benefit from tea drinking as well. New York University Dental Center
researchers found that regular intake of black tea significantly reduced
tooth decay in animals, even when sugar was included in the diet. Green
tea also reduces plaque and contains natural fluoride as well.
With
so many benefits, tea is healthier than once thought. For optimum results,
drink 5 to 6 cups daily.
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