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