One study says consumption of three cups a day of tea has the same antioxidant power as eating six apples. Another study found one or two cups of tea has the same radical scavenging capacity as five portions of fruit and vegetables or 400mg of vitamin C. Green tea contains vitamin C. On average two small cups of brewed tea is nearly equal to that in a cup of orange juice.

Studies suggest that tea consumption decreases "bad" cholesterol by 10 percent when combined with a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol. Green tea antioxidants have been shown to lower cholesterol level and prevent sharp increases in blood-insulin levels because they cause carbohydrates to be released more slowly.

Consumption of as little as four cups of tea per day may contribute to cardiovascular health by improving endothelial function, as seen in clinical studies. Recent research suggests tea flavonoids may support endothelial function, an important indicator of cardiovascular health.

In the first intervention study using tea, preliminary findings suggest smokers who drank tea had significantly lower levels of oxidative DNA damage. Oxidative stress to DNA is implicated in a multitude of chronic diseases, including cancer. In this clinical study, smokers drank four cups of decaffeinated green tea, decaffeinated black tea or water for four months.

Fights Rectal Cancer

Tea consumption is linked with a 60 percent decrease in rectal cancer among women. According to a study conducted in Russia to determine the protective nature of black tea against rectal cancer, women who consume high levels of tea were shown to have a 60 percent reduction in the risk of rectal cancer, as compared to women who drank relatively low amounts of tea.

Tea: Morning, Noon and Night

Tea is an excellent hydrator and a refreshing morning perk-up or end of the day soother.

What's The Deal With Caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in the leaves, seeds or fruits of at least 100 different species worldwide and is part of a group of compounds known as methylxanthines. The most commonly known sources of caffeine are coffee, cocoa beans, cola nuts and tea leaves.

The amount of caffeine present in products depends on the type of the product, the serving size and the preparation method. For example a 6.5 ounce cup of tea contains 50mg of caffeine, one third less than the same amount of an instant cup of coffee (75mg).

What is a safe intake of caffeine?

Up to 300mg/day (6 cups of tea) is considered moderate, with no evidence of harmful effects in the vast majority of the adult population. Some individuals are sensitive to caffeine and may need to limit their caffeine intake. Despite recent publicity about caffeine, the fact remains that the consumption of caffeine at intakes of 300mg/ day has no adverse effects in the vast majority of the adult population. An average intake of three to four cups of tea a day is well within the level considered safe.

Metabolism and Clearance

Caffeine does not accumulate in the body over a course of time and is normally excreted within several hours of consumption. The rate of caffeine elimination varies between individuals and this maybe as a result of genetic factors affecting the enzymes involved in the metabolism, or due to certain lifestyle factors eg smoking.

Caffeine and Health

The role of caffeine in the development of certain diseases and conditions has been the subject of extensive research in recent years.

• Cancer
  A number of studies investigating the impact of caffeine in the development of cancer have failed to establish a relationship. In fact, tea is one of the richest sources of flavonoids, a powerful group of antioxidants. The role of antioxidants in the prevention of free radical damage has led to suggestions that tea maybe anti-carcinogenic. .
• Heart Disease
  A number of studies have investigated the relationship between caffeine and heart disease and results from these and epidemiological studies have led to the conclusion that the ingestion of moderate amounts of caffeine is not associated with any increased risk of heart disease.
• Parkinson's Disease
  Observational studies have suggested that caffeine may play a role in protecting against Parkinson's disease, although further research is required to determine the exact mechanism.
• Pregnancy
  Caffeine crosses the placenta and achieves blood and tissue concentrations in the fetus that are similar to maternal concentrations. Pregnant women should limit their intake of caffeine consumption to less than 300mg/ day (equivalent to 6 cups of tea/ day). At this level there is little evidence to suggest that the health of the unborn child or mother is affected.