Tea can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death
A recent study reported that Japanese researchers, tracking over 40,000 adults aged 40 to 79 since 1994, found that compared to those who drank less than one cup of tea per day, men who drank five or more cups of green tea daily had an average 22% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and women had a 31% lower risk. The most significant decline was in cerebral infarction, with a 42% decrease for men and 62% for women. According to a report in the UK's Daily Mail, a new study found that drinking three cups of tea a day can reduce the risk of myocardial infarction by 70%. Studies from Finland and France also show that drinking 2-3 cups of tea per day can reduce the risk of stroke.
Tea has the effect of lowering cholesterol and blood pressure
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong found that drinking tea can reduce total blood cholesterol levels by 25%. Another study investigating the relationship between tea drinking and hypertension found that the incidence of hypertension was 10.55% in non-tea drinkers and 6.95% in regular tea drinkers, indicating that tea does have a certain blood pressure-lowering effect.
Tea helps reduce the risk of diabetes
Researchers conducting a long-term follow-up observation of 17,000 men and women aged 40-65 found that those who drank more than six cups of green tea per day had a 33% reduced risk of diabetes compared to those who drank less than one cup per week. Some information also suggests that drinking green tea brewed in cold water is more effective in preventing and treating diabetes.
Tea helps prevent Alzheimer's disease
Tea has a protective effect on brain cells, effectively delaying brain degeneration and helping to maintain the health of brain blood vessels. Latest research shows that drinking more tea can improve memory and prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Tea has anti-stress and anti-anxiety effects
The fast pace and high pressure of modern life and work often lead to psychological symptoms such as anxiety, tension, irritability, and depression. Green tea contains theanine, a relaxant without sedative effects, which can help the brain increase the production of gamma waves. Gamma waves can help control anxiety, improve attention, enhance mental state, and overall function. Generally, 3-4 cups of green tea contain 100-200 milligrams of theanine, giving green tea good efficacy in combating stress and anxiety.
Tea can improve immunity
If there's a recent flu outbreak, you should drink more tea. Harvard University researchers pointed out that people who drink five cups of tea daily for two consecutive weeks produce large amounts of antiviral interferon in their bodies—ten times more than non-tea drinkers. This infection-fighting protein can boost the immune system and effectively help the body resist the flu.
Tea can enhance bactericidal power
In May 2008, a report stated that Egyptian scholars tested "green tea plus antibiotics" on 28 kinds of bacteria. They found that green tea could significantly enhance the potency of antibiotics, increasing bactericidal efficiency by up to three times or more. It also helps reduce the drug resistance of various bacteria.
Tea has weight loss effects for obese individuals
Researchers found that compared to non-tea drinkers, those who had been drinking tea for over ten years had approximately 20% less body fat for men and 30% less for women. Losing weight while enjoying tea is a wonderful thing! Not only that, tea is also a great beauty agent for the skin; people who drink more tea tend to be more radiant.
Other health benefits of tea
Tea can also eliminate fatigue, refresh the mind, improve eyesight, aid digestion, act as a diuretic and detoxifier, prevent dental caries, and eliminate bad breath. Tea is an alkaline beverage, beneficial for correcting acidic体质 (body constitution)... Tea truly deserves to be called the healthiest drink of the 21st century.
The above introduces the excellent health care benefits of tea. Next, we will elaborate in detail on the specific beneficial components in tea that have health effects on the human body.
Tea polyphenols are the most abundant type of soluble component in tea and are the main substances responsible for its health benefits. The most typical representative is catechin (phenol), which has multiple effects including antioxidation (eliminating oxygen free radicals), anti-inflammation, reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease, preventing cancer, lowering blood lipids, reducing body fat formation, antibacterial properties, and altering gut microbiota ecology. Studies show that half an hour after drinking a cup of tea, the antioxidant capacity in the blood (the ability to fight oxygen free radicals) increases by 41% to 48% and can remain at a high level for an hour and a half.
Tea pigments mainly include chlorophyll, beta-carotene, etc., and have effects such as anti-tumor, anti-aging, and beauty enhancement.
Theanine can improve brain function, enhance memory and learning ability. It has preventive effects against Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and autonomic nervous disorders.
Tea polysaccharide is a complex mixture of components. Tea polysaccharide has anti-radiation effects, increases white blood cell count, improves immunity, and can also lower blood sugar. The folk practice of using coarse tea to treat diabetes primarily utilizes the effects of tea polysaccharide.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is not abundant in natural tea leaves, but its content increases significantly after tea processing. The main功效 (efficacy) of GABA is to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure, thus it can assist in treating hypertension. It also improves brain blood circulation and enhances the metabolic capacity of brain cells, which aids in the rehabilitation treatment of conditions like stroke and sequelae of cerebral arteriosclerosis.
Source: Tea Art