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Nov 8, 2006 6:17 pm US/Eastern
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Understanding Health Benefits Down To A Tea
by Dr. Mallika Marshall
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
Many studies indicate that drinking tea can have many health benefits but what kind of tea is best? How much do you need to drink? Will hot or cold tea work?
Other than water tea is the most consumed beverage in the world and research shows it's one of the healthiest beverages you could ever choose.
"People who drink the most tea but are at a reduced risk for several forms of cancer heart disease maybe even osteoporosis," said Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg of Tufts University. "The health benefits of tea have been attributed to their contents of flavinoids these are antioxidant compounds that are found in the tea leaf."
While green tea has gotten a lot of publicity in recent years Dr. Blumberg says it's no better than the rest when it comes to health benefits.
Experts say tea drinkers find the optimal benefits in drinking four or five cups a day.
Another important factor is strength - the stronger the brew the greater the benefits.
Experts also say that drinking decaffeinated tea doesn't make a significant difference.
Will you get the same affect drinking iced tea?
That's the bad news the nutrients get diluted in iced tea and if you put the tea in the refrigerator for three days all the health benefits will be gone.
So the bottom line is to pick the tea of your choice make it nice and strong and drink it while it's hot.
So what if you don't like tea?
A small number of studies have been done on tea supplements, and the results so far are promising.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)