ORIGIN OF TEA || TEA GLOSSARY || BENEFITS OF TEA || TEA RECEPIES || TEA GROWING AREAS

The natural antioxidant properties of tea may help combat the risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease. Research has suggested that drinking around 4-5 cups of tea a day may have beneficial effect on two long established heart disease risk factors : high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. Studies have shown that average blood cholesterol and blood pressure drop, as tea consumption increases and experts believe the flavanoids in tea are responsible for the effect. Other studies have shown that tea flavanoids may also decrease blood clotting which is another common cause of cardiovascular disease.

Now scientific studies are finding that tea is rich in the plant substances known as flavanoids, which function as antioxidants that neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and lead to diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Researchers from several countries and have presented evidence suggests that black teas, green teas and oolong teas, have a protective capability against oral, lung, colon and other cancers. Green teas especially ,with more than thirty polyphenols, has unique beneficial effects on the human system. These polyphenols are found in fruits and vegetables and act as antioxidants like vitamin C,E and beta carotene and may reduce serum cholesterol and the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Although the healthful effects have been known to countless generations, recent research shows that drinking tea both black and green, can lead to a long and healthy life. In addition to being a soothing, calming beverage, tea is reported to aid digestion, strenghten the immune system, and reduce the risk  of heart disease, all of which play a role in healthy aging. The fluoride in tea can strengthen bones in the same way it strengthens dental enamel. Recent studies in the United States, China and Japan found that drinking green tea inhibits the formation action cancer causing substances, such as nitrosamines, which are the byproducts of cooking meats and fish.

In addition to other dietary and lifestyle factors, tea has been shown to contribute to a healthy heart. By inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract, tea helps prevents the formation of unwanted clots which may cause a heart attack or stroke or stroke. All types of tea, black, green and oolong, contains some caffeine, although the amounts vary . green tea, which is not fermented, has about one third the caffeine per cup of black tea. Coffee by constrast, has about twice as much caffeine as black tea.

1.The longer the tea leaves have fermented during manufacture, the greater their caffeine content . Green tea, which is unfermented , has one-third the caffeine per cup as black tea, which is fully fermented. Oolong is semi-fermented and has about half as much as caffeine as black tea.

2. The shorter the brewing time, less caffeine ends up in the cup. A four-minute infusion of black tea will produce40 to 100 milligrams of caffeine, a three-minute infusion only about 20 to 40 milligrams.

3. The smaller the leaf, the stronger the extraction of caffeine. Using comparable amounts and brewing times, a tea bag filled with cut leaf or "dust" will release nearly twice as much caffeine per cup as full-Leaf tea.

4. Caffeine primary effects last about 15 to 45 minutes, depending on an individual sensitivity.

5.Scientific studies of caffeine to date have been contradictory. There is no conclusive evidence that caffeine causes or exacerbates any specific illness or medical condition.

One Cup of Tea Daily Can Reduce Heart Attack Risk
By Emma Ross
The Associated Press

LONDON,July 7 - Drinking at least one cup of tea a day could cut the risk of heart attack by 44 percent, according to new research presented today.

Researches say the beneficial results probably are due to the powerful amounts of natural substances in tea known as flavors, vitamin-like nutrients that make blood cells less prone to clotting.

Flavonoids also are one of the most powerful antioxidants, or substances that offset the damaging effects of oxygen in the body. Scientists have become excited about the potential benefits of Flavonoids, which also are found in fruits and vegetables and are famously connected to the heart-healthy effect of red wine.

While earlier studies have suggested that tea-drinking could be good for the heart, the latest findings are the most comprehensive and indicate the most dramatic effect.

Tea May Bolster Heart

Seems to Lower Symptoms of Heart Disease

CHICAGO, Oct. 11 - More evidence published Sunday indicates that tea may ward off heart disease - in this case coronary artery disease, especially in women.

A Dutch study found that those who drank one to two cups of tea daily lowered their risk of severe aortic atherosclerosis, a narrowing of the arteries caused by a build-up of fat and other substances on the inner walls, by 46 percent. At four cups a day the risk dropped by 69 percent.

The findings, based on a study of 3,454 people in the Netherlands who were free of cardiovascular disease, was published in this week's issue of the Chicago-based Archives of Internal Medicine. Teas's protective effect may come from Flavonoids, which act as antioxidants, the researchers from Eramus University Medical School in Rotterdam said.

Are there really any benefits gained from drinking green tea?

Green tea has a high content of vitamins and minerals. It contains ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in amounts comparable to a lemon. Green tea also contains several B vitamins which are water soluble and quickly released into a cup of tea. Five cups of green tea a day will provide 5-10% of the daily requirement of riboflavin ,niacin, folic acid, and pantothenic acid. The same five cups of green tea also provide approximately 0.1 mg of fluoride, which is higher than in fluorinated water. Scientific studies have shown strong evidence that green tea may help reduce the risk of strokes and heart disease, and may also prevent some cancers.

To further enrich your knowledge of green tea and its health benefits, read Green Tea - a natural elixir

How much caffeine does tea contain?

Tea contains anywhere from 8 mg to 110 mg per 6 ounce (200 ml) cup. Caffeine content can be a confusing subject.