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Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 1 p.m.
By Bill Freeman
An ever-increasing number of studies are suggesting that a simple cup of tea could help to protect us against diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson's. In fact, results of a recent study by scientists at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have led experts to believe that the health benefits of tea are so great that everyone should be downing cups of the beverage.
An ever-increasing number of studies are suggesting that a simple cup of tea could help to protect us against diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson's. In fact, results of a recent study by scientists at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have led experts to believe that the health benefits of tea are so great that everyone should be downing cups of the beverage. Study leader Dr Joseph Judd and his colleagues persuaded eight men and eight women to eat and drink only what was given to them by the scientists for two three-week periods. For the first three-week period the volunteers were given water flavoured like tea, while for the second they were given five cups a day of the real thing. Results showed that levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol dropped by as much as 10%, and total cholesterol levels fell by an average of 6% in the second study period. Meanwhile, another study led by Dr Iman Hakim at the University of Arizona tested smokers to see what effect drinking tea had on urine levels of a chemical called 8-OhdG, which is associated with cell damage. Results showed that 8-OhdG levels fell by an impressive 25% in smokers who drank several cups of green tea each day. However, no drop in 8-OhdG levels was seen in those who drank black tea.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 27th September 2002
