Fant(e)astic!: Tea reduces risk of breast cancer, new study suggests

Tea is a t(r)ea(t) for many and its health benefits are surely an added bonus. New research reveals that tea drinkers are at a lesser risk of breast cancer.

The purpose of this latest analysis was to evaluate the links between tea consumption and physical activity and breast cancer risk among Chinese women, according to IANS. Commenting on the new research, women’s health specialist Catherine Hood said, “Compared with non drinkers, regular tea drinkers had a 21 per cent decreased risk of breast cancer. This beneficial finding is likely to be associated with the polyphenol content of tea.”

Tea is rich in polyphenols, including catechins and gallocatchins, which have been reported to have antioxidant activity and potential anti-tumour effect. Hood said 39 studies involving 13,204 breast cancer cases and 87,248 controls were identified for the entire study. Among the total number of studies, 16 involved tea consumption with a total of 28,737 cases and 60,936 controls.

A new study also says that black tea improves the function of the blood vessels. Looking at this research further, another health expert, Tim Bond, said, “Several previous studies have found that black tea and its flavonoids have direct effects on the blood vessels improving vascular function.”

“The aim of this study was to see if tea improves vascular function by helping to prevent injury of the blood vessels in the face of ischaemia (restriction in blood supply), which is a frequent occurrence in cardiovascular disease.”

According to femalefirst.co.uk, the study suggests that tea consumption resulted in an “immediate increase in flow-meditated dilation (FMD: a measure of blood vessel function) whilst no such change occurred after drinking hot water. This finding helps to confirm previous research findings suggesting that improvement in blood vessel function is a key mechanism by which black tea reduces cardiovascular risk,” as Bond shared.

“There is far more to the nation’s favourite drink than we realise. These latest studies highlight how tea packs a powerful punch with many health benefits particularly for the heart,” Hood stated. “And studies also show that tea works its health magic whether or not we choose to add milk. All in all, drinking four or more cups of tea each day is, quite simply, very good for us as is just as hydrating as water,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2014.

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