Tea-Enjoy The Benefits

By Bryon Zirker

You may have heard or read about the outstanding
health benefits of green and black tea. Many of these
teas have been shown to boost brain health, increase
metabolism, protect the prostate, and reduce the risk
of cancer and heart disease.

How you drink your tea may be negating its benefits.
For example adding milk will decrease or eliminate
the benefits.

In the European Heart Journal, a study of subjects
were given either a pint of black tea or the same amount
of hot water. Of those who were given tea, half drank
it straight, while the other half had it with milk. The
researchers discovered that blood flow to the forearms
increased noticeably in those who drank the tea straight,
but those who had either hot water or tea with milk
saw no such benefit.

It is seen in studies that flavonoids in tea (catechins)
help to relax the blood vessels. It has also been observed
that these catechins, including the highly beneficial
antioxidant EGCG, are bound and rendered ineffective
by casein, one of the proteins found in milk.

In order to benefit from the full range of health benefits
that your favorite tea has to offer, make sure to drink
it straight or with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of
stevia.