Tea is mind-soothing brew, study finds!
|
 |
A recent research has shown that a regular cup of tea can reduce the harmful effects of stress.
Stress hormone levels fell by nearly twice as much in tea drinkers compared with those given a tea-like drink, after all had been put under stress.
The research from University College London was designed so that neither the drinkers nor the scientists knew what was taken during the exercise. |
The research involved 75 young men who were regular tea drinkers. All gave up normal tea, coffee and decaffeinated drinks for six weeks and drank one of two "tea" mixtures, four times a day instead.
One group had a tea-coloured drink which was caffeinated and fruit-flavoured, containing all the constituents of black tea. The other was a fake tea, identical in taste but with no tea properties. The participants could add milk to their "tea" or not as they chose.
The real tea was disguised so that the volunteers could not derive accustomed comfort from the brew.
After six weeks they were given role-playing tasks to put them under stress. Volunteers were exposed to one of three stressful situations - being threatened with unemployment, being accused of shop lifting or being involved in an untoward incident at a nursing home.
All had to prepare a verbal response and argue their case in front of a camera.
Both groups exhibited significant levels of stress measured by increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, increased heart rate and raised blood pressure. Statements of how they felt were also taken.
Fifty minutes after the task, levels of cortisol in the real tea group had fallen by 47 per cent compared with 27 per cent in the fake tea group.
There was also an effect on blood platelets, linked to blood clotting and heart attacks. The tea group showed less platelet activity and reported a "greater degree of relaxation" after the task. |
|
|
Prof Andrew Steptoe, of the department of epidemiology and public health at UCL who led the study said that tea had traditionally been associated with stress relief.
"Many people believe that drinking tea helps them relax after facing the stresses of everyday life. However, scientific evidence is quite limited.
He said they did not know which of the many constituents of black tea produced the beneficial effects.
"Tea is chemically very complex, with many different ingredients such as catechins, polyphenols, flavonoids and amino acids. All have been found to have effects on neurotransmitters in the brain, but we cannot tell from this research which ones produced the differences."
Ready to take that first step toward a healthier life?
Buy Herbal Tea here!
|
Home
