Sloane Wellness

The health benefits of tea...

For over 4,700 years people have been exploring the health benefits of tea.  Be it mental alertness, safeguard against disease, or rejuvenation of the soul that we seek, tea is a welcomed pleasure for many reasons.   

The research conducted on the health benefits of tea is plentiful.  As more studies continue to test the outcomes of the research on human subjects, immensely valuable information is gained as to how tea can be of positive use in our individual lives.    

We present you with some of the promising discoveries made to date.

In response to the array of toxins and adverse influences that impact each of us on a daily basis, our bodies produce unstable molecules called "oxidants" or "free radicals" that can damage healthy cells.  The outcome of these harmful influences can be chronic illnesses, damage to the immune system, organ disease, and many other health complications.   

The effects of these free radicals can be reduced by the naturally-occurring antioxidants found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and tea.  The antioxidants quench the free radicals so that they are unable to cause damage to other healthy cells.  In this way, it is believed that antioxidants may be responsible for the reduction in the occurrence and size of certain kinds of tumours, as well as inhibiting their growth.             

Below is a small glossary of terms associated with antioxidants and tea.  They are all very closely inter-related.

  • Antioxidants are molecules that slow or inhibit oxidants.     
  • Polyphenols found in tea have powerful antioxidant qualities.
  • Flavonoids are a type of polyphenol found in tea.       
  • Catechins are a component of flavonoids.  There are four types of catechins that exist in tea, with EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) being the one most often discussed with regards to tea's health benefits.

How tea aids our bodies...  

Bone Health  
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that older women who were tea drinkers had increased bone mineral density (BMD) than non-tea drinkers.1  
Cancer       
Early research indicates that certain components of tea may aid in cancer risk reduction.  This is one the most active areas of research currently being conducted.

Cardiovascular Health
Some of the benefits to heart health that have been indicated by research studies include lowering LDL cholesterol2 and boosting the ability of blood vessel lining to expand upon increased blood flow.3  It is also believed that tea might also aid in the lowering of blood pressure.
  
Cognition
The amino acids that exist in tea may aid in creating a calm, yet more alert, mental state.  This effect can continue for three to four hours.4  

Immune System
Antioxidants may aid in the safeguard of the immune system.5  The amino acid L-theanine present in tea may "prime" the immune system to help it prepare to fight infection, bacteria, viruses and fungi.6

The Nutritional Value of Tea 
In addition to valuable antioxidant properties and enhancing overall fluid intake, tea contains many vitamins, minerals and amino acids that include the following:

  • Vitamins C, K, B12, B6 and E
  • Minerals: Trace amounts of potassium, manganese, magnesium, calcium; Tea provides 70% of our daily fluoride intake
  • Amino Acids: Tea provides a strong source of amino acids including L-theanine

Oral Health
Tea contains a natural fluoride, promoting healthy tooth enamel, and the flavonoids in tea may reduce the formation of plaque by bacteria in the mouth.7 
 
Weight Loss
Tea is calorie-free and helps to hydrate the body.  Replacing unsweetened tea for sugar-loaded beverages like soda can make a massive difference in maintaining a healthy weight.

If you are a spa owner or manager and interested to learn how Sloane Tea Company can enhance your retail offerings, please click here.

 

1 Hagarty VM, May HM, Khaw K-T.  Tea drinking and bone mineral density in older women. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71:1003-7.


2 Davies MJ, Judd JT, Baer DJ, Clevidence BA, Paul DR, Edwards AJ, Wiseman SA, Muesing RA, Chen SC. Black tea consumption reduces total and LDL cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults. J Nutr. 2003 Oct;133(10):3298S-3302S 

3 Duffy SJ, Keaney JF Jr, Hoibrook M, Gokce N. Swerdloff PL, Frei B, Vita JA. Short- and long-term black tea consumption reverses endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease. Circulation 2001;104:151-6

4 Foxe, J. Investigating the Role of Tea in Human Cognition: Theanine and Caffeine Alter the Neurophysiology of Attention. International Scientific Symposium on Tea & Human Health. 2007 Sept 18. 

5 Kamath AB, Wang L, Das H, Li L, Reinhold VN, Bukowski JF. Antigens in tea-beverage prime human Vgamma 2Vdelta 2 T cells in vitro and in vivo for memory and nonmemory antibacterial cytokine responses. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2003 May 13;100(10):6009-14.

6 Murase T, Haramizu S, Shimotoyodome A, Tokimitsu I. Reduction of diet-induced obesity by a combination of tea-catechin intake and regular swimming. Int J Obesity 2005 Oct:1-8. 

7 Sarkar, S., Sett, P., Chowdhury, T., and Ganguly, D.K. Effect of black tea on teeth. J Indian Soc Pedod Pre Dent 2000;18:139-140. 

8 Murase T, Haramizu S, Shimotoyodome A, Tokimitsu I. Reduction of diet-induced obesity by a combination of tea-catechin intake and regular swimming. Int J Obesity 2005 Oct:1-8.