Research indicates that tea may be 'better than water'
Research from the UK indicates that drinking black tea may have a more beneficial effect than previously thought, and not dehydrate drinkers. The researchers looked at studies into tea drinking carried out between 1990 and 2004, and performed a meta-analysis on the findings. The results, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that tea was effective for rehydration, but also acted as an effective preventative against heart disease and certain cancers. The active ingredients are flavonoids, powerful antioxidants found naturally in tea. The strongest effect was for heart disease, which the authors said showed 'clear evidence' of a beneficial effect when consuming three or more cups per day. 'Drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water. Water is essentially replacing fluid. Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so it's got two things going for it,' lead author Dr Carrie Ruxton told the BBC. Effects of black tea on cancers were less conclusive, although it did show a 'slightly positive' effect for colorectal cancer. Dr Ruxton wrote the paper with colleagues from King's College London, with support from the UK's Tea Council. Dr Ruxton rejected the idea that tea and coffee are essentially dehydrating as a 'myth', saying that both drinks had a net hydrating effect. Finally, tea is shown to have trace quantities of fluoride, and so is also good for teeth. 'There is now overwhelming evidence that drinking tea every day can be beneficial to heart health. Our bodies need antioxidants to help fight off the attack by free radicals and tea provides the most abundant source in the UK diet,' she said. 'We should also consider the positive benefits that drinking tea has on hydrating Britons - many of whom are elderly and don't drink water.'
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