Usha Mani travels beyond the invigorating taste of tea to discover a cupful of healthy benefits

Now we all know how rejuvenating a cuppa chai can be - at all times, for all ages! But, did you also know, that hidden away inside every sip are substances capable of boosting our bodies' defences to help fight chronic diseases? Read on to know more.

Your Cup Of Tea Contains...
Antioxidants: They are one of the key requirements for human nutrition. Tea contains high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols or flavonoids, which reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancers, cataracts, macular degeneration, cognitive impairment, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and liver diseases.

Flouride: It is required to support bone mineralisation and protect teeth against dental caries. Tea provides 70 per cent of our daily fluoride intake.
Vitamins And Minerals like carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A; Thiamin (Vitamin B1); Riboflavin (Vitamin B2); nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Vitamin B6; folic acid; manganese and potassium. Plus, when added to milk, which is how tea is enjoyed by most, it can provide a number of other vitamins and minerals. Simply put, it's nutrition packed!

Tea And Health
Research shows that both black and green teas are excellent means of lowering the risk of heart diseases.

Due to the presence of antioxidants, tea acts as an 'oxygen radical scavenger'. In fact, several diet recommendations have included both green and black tea to help protect against cardiovascular diseases.

Tea helps in better metabolic functioning and thus keeps the intestines healthy.

Polyphenols, which are present in tea, have a beneficial effect in changing intestinal bacterial growth. What happens is the bacteria that are less useful in maintaining a healthy intestinal physiology are partially suppressed by tea, and beneficial bacteria are favoured. Also, tea (without milk), can be used to treat diarrhoea in children.

Studies have proved that tea resists the growth and development of various cancers.
Epidemiological studies have indicated that the high concentration of phytochemicals may help in stabilising free radicals, thereby decreasing the risk of cancer. It is also reported that tea could play an important role in changing the genes involved in the process of causing cancer, a claim, which has also been supported by chemical studies. It also increases apoptosis, a process whereby tumour cells are eliminated.

Tea helps develop strong teeth.
Since tea contains fluoride, it is considered teeth-friendly. It protects against tooth decay and inhibits plaque formation. It also improves the clinical manifestation of oral lesions.

It's helpful in the treatment of Osteoarthritis.
Tea has proved beneficial in treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis especially in post-menopausal women. Osteoporosis and liver disease may also be reduced by drinking green tea.

Tea also reduces injury induced by radiation.

What Is Herbal Tea?
Here is a type that is not really (read, technically) tea! That's because it's not made of leaves from the tea plant. It's named thus, simply because it is made in the same fashion as tea is. Herbal teas are, however, made from a wide variety of plants and herbs such as hibiscus and mint. A relatively modern creation, they've become popular, as medical science has paid great attention to the health affirming nature of certain plants and herbs.

Tea Trivia
Tea was discovered in 2737 BC by the emperor Sheng Nung, when tea leaves accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water.

Tea is the most commonly consumed liquid in the world (after water, of course!) with an estimated one billion cups consumed daily worldwide!

Dr John Weisburger, Director Emeritus of the American Health Foundation, has certified that a regular intake of upto 10 cups of tea a day will contribute to your health and wellbeing.

The most popular beverage in the world is tea, except in England and Ireland, where beer is more popular.

Bleeding is checked if a tea bag is applied on the wound. The tannin in tea activates the thrombocytes for rapid clotting.

Some Tea Myths Busted
Myth: Tea Contains More Caffeine Than Coffee
Tea contains far less caffeine. In a 190-ml cup of tea, the caffeine content is 50 mg, whereas in the same quantity of instant coffee, the caffeine content is 75 mg. It increases to 100-115 mg for filter or percolated coffee.

Myth: Tea Is Diuretic
No. Tea does not have a diuretic effect unless the amount of tea consumed at one sitting contains more than 250-300 mg caffeine, which is equivalent to five to six cups of tea. In fact, the British Dietetic Association advises that tea can contribute towards the daily recommended fluid intake of 1.5 to two litres.

Myth: Green Tea Contains No Caffeine
Both black and green teas are produced from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis and thus contain a natural amounts of caffeine.

Myth: Tea Stains The Teeth
Recent studies suggest that the flavnoids and fluoride in tea may actually be beneficial to teeth in reducing cavities and helping to prevent plaque from developing. As long as teeth are brushed regularly, stains, if any, can be removed.