With cold and gloomy days taking a firm hold of the UK, many Britons are reaching for hot drinks to keep warm and cosy. While mulled wine and hot toddy might be more seasonal, a drink already hiding in your kitchen cupboard could do wonders for your health.
A nutritionist has revealed a popular warming beverage that could benefit your heart and brain. What’s more, there’s not just one flavour that you need to stick to in order to reap benefits.
Nutritionist Dr Pamela Mason, from the Tea Advisory Panel, shared that your daily cuppa hides a “wealth of wellbeing wonders”. However, Britons’ knowledge of the health benefits of tea is lacking despite being avid tea drinkers.
A new poll of over 1,000 Brits reviewed by the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) found that only around a third of survey respondents included health benefits as one of their top three reasons for drinking tea. Yet, the hot beverage offers more than a pleasant taste.
Heart health
Dr Mason explained that a whole range of teas can benefit your heart. Whether you opt for the classic cuppa or venture out to herbal infusions such as hibiscus, chamomile and ginger, tea is packed with antioxidants.
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But the research from TAP found that 80 percent of Britons are unaware of the heart-promoting polyphenols a cup of tea provides.
The nutritionist said: “Teas contain various polyphenols that have an anti-inflammatory action, which is one of the ways in which they help protect against heart disease.
“A research review of the evidence found that drinking black and green tea could help lower cardiovascular disease through lowering blood pressure, dilating arteries and lowering cholesterol.
“Other data evidence has found that hibiscus tea has a blood pressure lowering effect and potentially may lower cholesterol.”
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By targeting markers like high cholesterol and blood pressure, you can benefit your overall cardiovascular health.
Brain health
The nutritionist added that black, green and chamomile tea could also help your brain.
Dr Mason said: “Black tea is also good for brain health. Yet in TAP real-world research, 61 percent of the nation could make no connection between tea and mental health.
“In further research, regular black tea consumption was associated with better memory in older age.”
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The nutritionist explained that green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which has been shown to prevent memory deficits.
Furthermore, chamomile tea has well-established calming effects, which could help decrease anxiety, according to the expert.
Dr Mason added: “Three to four cups of black tea daily is linked with heart health and brain health benefits.
“If you enjoy herbal infusions aim for one to two cups of your favourite herbal brew and or a couple of cups of green tea.”
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