Benefits of Tea

well, as far as i think Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world after water.
Whether it is black, green or red (oolong) tea, they all contain polyphenols which give tea its antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants may help protect our body from free radical damage.
tea contains following potential effects:

Anti-cancer properties
numerous studies suggest that green tea protects against a range of cancers, including lung, prostate and breast cancer.
The reason cited is the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), according to Hirofumi Tachibana's team at Kyushu University in Japan.
Their research showed that growth of human lung cancer cells that have a cell receptor called 67 LR is slowed significantly after drinking just two or three cups of green tea, which contains EGCG.
The research also showed that 67 LR is involved in the propagation of prion diseases such as mad cow disease in humans.
So knowledge of EGCG's effect on 67 LR might have implications in the treatment of these diseases.

According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, in laboratory studies using animals, catechins inactivated oxidants before cell damage occurred, reduced the number and size of tumors, and inhibited the growth of[B] cancer cells[/B.

White tea has been claimed to be even more effective, based upon preliminary work by Santana-Rios et al.

Another study from the Oxford Life Science journal Carcinogenesis showing a capacity of green tea in combination with tamoxifen is effective in suppressing breast cancer growth in vitro human breast cancer tumors and in vivo animal experiments in mice.

Increases metabolic rate
Clinical trials conducted by the University of Geneva in Switzerland indicate that green tea raises metabolic rates and speeds up fat oxidation.
In addition to caffeine, green tea contains catechin polyphenols that raise thermogenesis (the rate at which calories are burned), and hence increases energy expenditure.

There is also a suggestion that it can increase endurance in exercise by improving fat metabolism.


Boosts immune system and mental alertness
On 21 April 2003 the Brigham and Women's Hospital released details of a research project which indicated that the amino acid L-theanine may help the body's immune system response when fighting infection, by boosting the disease-fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells.
The study included a four-week trial with 11 coffee drinkers and 10 tea drinkers, who consumed 600ml of coffee or black tea daily.
Blood sample analysis found that the production of anti-bacterial proteins was up to five times higher in the tea-drinkers, an indicator of a stronger immune response.

L-theanine has also been found to increase alpha wave production in the brain, which is associated with a state of "alert relaxation".


Lowers chances of cognitive impairmentA 2006 study showed that elderly Japanese people who consumed more than 2 cups of green tea a day had a 50 percent lower chance of having cognitive impairment, in comparison to those who drank fewer than 2 cups a day, or who consumed other tested beverages.

Lowers stress hormone levels
According to a study by UCL researchers published in the journal Psychopharmacology, drinking black tea has an effect on stress hormone levels in the body and thus helps in recovering more quickly from life's stresses.
The study showed that, 50 minutes after a high stress event, subjects who drank 4 cups of black tea per day for a 4 week period experienced an average cortisol drop of 47%, compared to 27% for the placebo group.
Blood platelet activation, which is linked to blood clotting and the risk of heart attacks was also lower in the tea drinker's group.

Effects on HIV
A recent study appearing in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology stated that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) found in Green Tea can help to boost one's immune system, therefore helping to prevent HIV.
University of Sheffield Research Professor Mike Williamson stated that, "Our research shows that drinking green tea could reduce the risk of becoming infected by HIV, and could also slow down the spread of HIV" however was quick to point out that, "It is not a cure, and nor is it a safe way to avoid infection, however, we suggest that it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected" as well as the fact that the research is in very early stages.

NOTE: beside having all these benefits tea also hold some side efects also, main point is that every thing should be taken in balance form so that we can benefit from it without any harmful effects.

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