| After water, tea is the most popular beverage on | | | | that they consume a diet rich in fish also plays a part |
| earth. It is consumed in large quantities all over the | | | | in their overall health. But their enormous consumption |
| world, but is likely most popular in Asia. Tea was | | | | of tea, especially green tea, is a big part of the |
| even discovered in Asia, and most of the world's tea | | | | equation. |
| is still grown in this part of the world, though India is | | | | So, scientists have been examining the anti-oxidants |
| a close second. | | | | in tea and measuring how they prevent disease. A lot |
| Chinese mythology dates the discovery of tea back | | | | of the research has been performed on mice, but |
| to 2737 BC, when, supposedly, the Chinese Emperor | | | | many of the results have been so promising that |
| Shen Nung was drinking boiled water under a tree, | | | | more human trials are sure to follow. |
| when a leaf from this tree dropped into his cup. The | | | | A document reported by the UK Tea Council outlines |
| Emperor decided to try the concoction and found | | | | some of the findings on tea's health benefits. Some |
| that he loved it. He ordered a large planting of tea | | | | of the most significant findings include: |
| trees and a new crop was born. | | | | There is clear evidence that tea, both green and |
| It's not certain if this story is true, historians have | | | | black, reduces our risk for cardiovascular disease. |
| found stories in China about tea that date back to | | | | There have been many studies that link tea with a |
| the third century AD, and there are ads for tea in | | | | reduced risk of cancer, though some studies have |
| China that date back to 780 AD, when Chinese tea | | | | found no link. The cancer that seems to be most |
| merchants commissioned the writer Lu Yu to write a | | | | significantly reduced by tea consumption is colorectal |
| book about tea. | | | | cancer. |
| The book was written to help boost tea sales. As | | | | There have been studies that suggest that tea is |
| early as 805 AD, the Zen Buddhist missionaries in | | | | healthy for the teeth and prevents tooth decay. This |
| Japan were using tea as a medicine, because they | | | | is likely due to the fact that tea naturally contains a |
| believed that it enhanced one's ability to meditate. | | | | form of fluoride. However, there was not enough |
| Throughout Asian history, tea has been used as | | | | evidence on this to reach a formal conclusion. |
| medicinal purposes. Since the first medicines were | | | | Likewise, some studies suggest that tea can |
| herbs, it's likely that tea was used as the delivery | | | | positively affect mood and cognitive performance, |
| method. The correct mixture of herbs was mixed | | | | but results are inconclusive. |
| and brewed into the tea. However, tea, on its own | | | | However, one thing that we know for sure; there's |
| was used to heal. In China, tea is used to cure | | | | no downside to drinking tea. Tea is lower in caffeine |
| everything from headaches to female troubles to | | | | than coffee or soda, and has no side effects. And, if |
| depression. | | | | you consume 3-4 cups per day, you have very likely |
| Today's researchers are discovering what Asian | | | | lowered your risk of heart disease, at least. |
| cultures have known for many years: tea is good for | | | | Tea is available in many forms and is very |
| you. A lot of the attention that tea has received has | | | | inexpensive; making it simple to add to your daily |
| come from recognition that Asian cultures, where tea | | | | routine. And, research has shown that tea has the |
| is heavily consumed have far lower risk of many | | | | same benefits whether you drink it hot or cold and |
| diseases than many other cultures where tea is | | | | whether or not you add milk. |
| consumed in smaller quantities. | | | | As research continues, it's certain that we'll learn |
| For example, 75% of Japanese men smoke. This is | | | | more about just what tea can do for our health, and |
| significantly more men than smoke in the US, yet | | | | how it works its magic. Don't be surprised to find |
| Japanese men have a significantly lower risk of | | | | more conclusive evidence supporting tea's many |
| developing lung cancer and heart disease than | | | | health benefits coming out over the next few years. |
| American men. Cancer and heart disease in general | | | | In the meantime, why not get a head start on |
| are far less prevalent in Asian countries than in the | | | | protecting your health. Tea certainly can't hurt you - |
| Western world. Researchers wondered why this is | | | | and it's likely you already have some in your kitchen |
| so. | | | | cabinets. So start adding a cup of your favorite tea |
| And, it seems that tea is a big part of the reason | | | | to your diet each and every day - you may be |
| that Asians are healthier than we are. Of course, the | | | | helping to ensure that you live a long and healthy life! |
| fact that they're far less likely to be overweight and | | | | |