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WHY IT'S HEALTHIER TO BREW TEA IN A POT

Monday May 28,2007

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THE traditional cuppa brewed in a pot is healthier than one from a dunked tea bag, research reveals.

Cancer-fighting chemicals found in black tea peak when it has been brewed for at least five minutes, the study found.

Scientists in Aberdeen tested the levels of chemicals, known as polyphenols, in the blood of male volunteers who drank black tea left in a pot for varying periods up to ten minutes. They found that 60 per cent more of the chemicals which also help stave off heart disease, were present when tea was brewed for five minutes compared to one minute.

This dropped to 30 per cent for a three-minute brew.

Leaving tea in the pot for more than five minutes or adding milk had no extra health benefit.

Study co-author Dr Garry Duthie, professor of molecular nutrition at Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen, said: "Infusion time certainly makes a difference.

"These days, people tend to dunk the tea bag, so they are consuming fewer of these potentially beneficial chemicals."

US scientists at Harvard medical school claim drinking tea can reduce the risk of cancer, heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.

Experts have long proclaimed the health benefits of green and black tea.

One study found that drinking five or more cups of green tea a day can slash the risk of heart disease and even lengthen life.

A study revealed that drinking just two cups of either green or black tea a day could slash the risk of skin cancer.

Both are rich in antioxidants, known to help fight the development of cancer cells.

Britons are the world's second biggest tea drinkers, behind the Irish, consuming 165 million cups a day but tea drinking is in decline.

AHHH, A NICE CUPPA

28.05.07, 12:27pm

You can’t beat a nice cuppa and it’s nice to know that my favourite drink is doing me some good as well. In my opinion pot brewed tea is MUCH nicer than ‘made in the cup’ and leaving it to brew for 5 minutes, in a pre-heated pot, is the best way to get a decent cuppa. Hmmm, think I’ll put the kettle on….. again!

• Posted by: Cynical_sid • Report Comment