London, Jan 29 (Mirror) Scientists have discovered the humble cup of tea contains a key ingredient that helps protect a vital human organ as we age.
Flavanols are a natural compound commonly found in foods and drinks such as cocoa, grapes, and teas. Research suggests they may have several beneficial health effects and boost brain power – in turn helping with memory and recall. This is because naturally occurring flavanols are rife in tea – and the effect is the same, no matter if you prefer your cuppa black or white.
The experts arrived at the conclusion after studying how flavanols – or antioxidants found in many vegetables, wines and fruits – affected the memory of over 3,500 healthy over-60s. One study group took 500mg a day, which is the same as in two cups of tea. Meanwhile, another group were given a placebo.
During the three-year study, the participants were given word recall tasks to test their memory. And at the end of the study, it found that those who digested flavanol were 10.5% better on average, rising to 16 per cent for those starting with the lowest intake in their overall diet. Professor Gunter Kuhnle, of the University of Reading, said tea drinking was the “easiest way” to boost flavanol intake. He added: “Two cups will provide enough for many people. If you do drink tea, it doesn’t really matter if you want to have milk — it does not affect the uptake of flavanols.”
Meanwhile, Dr Scott Small, of Columbia University in the US, said age-related memory loss varies between people. He said: “If this is due to differences in flavanols consumption, we’d see even more dramatic improvement in people who replenish flavanols in their 40s and 50s.” Plants contain over 5,000 flavonoid compounds, which play roles in producing cell growth, fighting environmental stress and attracting insects for pollination.
And, there are also other health benefits of tea, with green tea able to keep arthritis at bay. Researchers at the University of Sheffield in 2003 found that two compounds found in green tea can help prevent osteoarthritis by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
And, contrary to popular belief, drinking green tea may also help prevent tooth decay. A study carried out at the University of Illinois, USA has shown that bacteria present in dental plaque stopped growing when people rinsed their mouths with black tea five times for 30 seconds over a 15 minute period. It is the poplyphenol components of the tea that fights dental plaque.
