New research reveals that drinking black tea may have health benefits and be associated with a moderately lower risk of mortality, as detailed in a large study published Monday by the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world and is known to have effective substances to reduce inflammation. Previous studies conducted in China and Japan, where green tea is very popular, also suggest health benefits. The new study spreads the good news for the UK’s favorite drink: black tea.
A risk between a 9 and a 13% lower
Experts from the National Cancer Institute of the United States analyzed a large database of almost half a million adults in the United Kingdom. These people were asked about their tea drinking habits and followed up to 14 years.
The 85% of the people studied said they drink tea regularly and, of them, 89% said they drink black tea. A wide variety of risk factors were taken into account, including health, socioeconomic status, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, age, race, and gender.
The analyzes showed that higher tea consumption – two or more cups per day – was associated with a modest benefit: between 9 and 13% lower mortality from any cause compared with those who did not drink tea. The temperature of this drink, the addition of milk or sugar or the consumption of coffee did not change the results.
It is not a study that can prove cause and effect
The association held for deaths from heart disease, but there was no clear trend for deaths from cancer. Researchers aren’t sure why, but there may not have been enough cancer deaths for any effect to show up, said study leader Maki Inoue-Choi.
This research, based on the observation of people’s habits and health, cannot prove cause and effect: “Observation studies always raise the question: Is there something else about tea drinkers that makes them healthier?” asked Marion Nestle, professor of food studies at New York University.
“Enjoy your cup of tea”
“I like tea. I think it’s a good drink. But it would be better to interpret these results in a prudent way”, added Nestle.
Meanwhile, Inoue-Choi, assures that there is not enough evidence to advise changing tea habits: “If you already drink a cup a day, I think that’s good. And, please, enjoy your cup of tea”, concluded the specialist.
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