By Talking Health TV –

Experts highlight heart, hydration and relaxation benefits ahead of Afternoon Tea Week

Ahead of the upcoming Afternoon Tea Week (11th – 17th August), new research suggests that putting the kettle on might be more than just a comforting ritual.

A survey of over 1,000 British adults, analysed by the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP), has found that one in three people turn to tea to ease stress, with other health benefits including improved heart health, blood pressure support, and hydration.

“With 99% of Brits admitting to daily tea drinking, stopping for a cuppa is one healthy habit the vast majority of us can get on board with,” says TAP member and GP Dr Nisa Aslam.

“In fact, the TAP-research analysis of over 1,000 British adults revealed that Brits recognise a range of health benefits associated with drinking tea – from reducing stress and anxiety (33%), to boosting hydration (30%), to supporting a healthy heart (16%) and blood pressure (17%).”

A fifth (21%) of those who had switched from herbal teas to more black tea said they did so for health and wellbeing benefits.

Tea expert and TAP member Dr Tim Bond adds: “Brits’ instincts on the health supporting capabilities of a regular cuppa are definitely on the right lines, as there is extensive scientific evidence to back up these benefits of their regular brew.”

The Science Behind the Brew

Specific plant compounds in tea appear to be behind many of these benefits. Dietitian and TAP member Dr Carrie Ruxton explains: “It’s the polyphenols in tea that are thought to contribute to its ability to support our efforts to stay healthy – from our hearts, to our blood pressure, to our ability to regulate inflammation – while the amino acid L-theanine helps us stay calm and focused.”

Dr Tim Bond adds: “We’ve found, through scientific research, that the thearubigins – major pigments – in black tea help to lower blood pressure, improve glucose and insulin regulation, reduce inflammation, improve digestion – and potentially even inhibit some cancer cells.”

Dr Ruxton continues: “What’s more, black and green teas both contain the amino acid L-theanine. Brain scans have shown that this increases alpha-wave activity which, in turn, induces relaxation without drowsiness – a great support to those planning a tea party this Afternoon Tea Week.”

Dr Aslam notes: “Green teas also offer important health benefits, as they contain high levels of catechins – a type of flavonoid associated with a wide range of heart health benefits, including regulating blood pressure, blood clotting and inflammation.”

Brits Know the Benefits — But Not Always the Science

While many people understand tea’s positive effects, fewer know the scientific reasons why. Just under a third (31%) of respondents knew that polyphenols were a plant bioactive, and the same proportion knew they were found in tea, more than those aware they are found in fruit (23%) or vegetables (19%). Only 17% had heard of the flavonoids in tea.

Knowledge of L-theanine was even lower, with just over one in 10 (11%) knowing what it was, and only one in 10 (10%) believing it had cognitive effects.

Tea as a Workout Ally

“Besides direct health benefits, tea can also support us in our efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, as it’s a source of hydration recognised by the NHS Eatwell Guide.

Reassuringly, over four-fifths (83%) were aware of this,” says Dr Aslam.

“What’s more, nearly a quarter of Brits (23%) said they choose to drink tea before working out, while two-fifths (40%) said they reach for a post-workout cuppa.”

Dr Bond adds: “When I and some scientist colleagues looked at tea in the context of sport and fitness, we found that when healthy males drank up to six mugs of black tea a day they achieved similar levels of hydration as drinking water, so the Brits reaching for a brew to support their sporting activities are certainly onto a winner.”

Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’

So how much tea is ideal?

“Research suggests that four cups a day is the sweet spot for regular tea consumption,” says Dr Bond.

“It’s a pity that only 17% of those surveyed had heard of the flavonoids in tea, which have the potential to dampen the negative effects of stress on the body.

“If they knew this, they might be aware that consuming 400-600 mg daily of a type of flavonoid known as flavan-3-ols has been shown to support heart health and healthy blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels.

“This equates to drinking just four cups of black tea a day.”

Tea tops the list of flavan-3-ol-rich foods per 100g:

• Brewed black tea – 115 mg

• Green tea – 54 mg

• Apples – 9.3 mg

• Pears – 6.8 mg

• Raspberries – 5.8 mg

• Strawberries – 4.6 mg

Dr Ruxton concludes: “Encouragingly, a third (35%) of Brits are already drinking three to four cups of tea a day.

“So, hopefully this Afternoon Tea Week will provide the impetus for the 45% who drink less than that to up their tea intake to support their health.”