Tea And Heart Health

A bag of hype.

"'Drinking more than three cups of tea a day cuts the risk of a heart attack', The Daily Telegraph reported. The newspaper said that according to research, tea - with or without milk - may also strengthen bones. It adds that the "beneficial effects on many biochemical effects in the body" are due to polyphenols, which are natural plant antioxidants in tea."

Nope.

"For now, it may be best for people to continue to enjoy a cup of tea because they like it, rather than hoping for any protection from heart attacks. There are many medical and lifestyle risk factors which contribute to the development of heart disease."

More bad reporting. In fact...

"The author has carried out a very thorough analysis of the status of research into black tea consumption and its effects. However, due to the nature of the topic, there are several limitations to the trials conducted in this field. The author says, 'Taken together the evidence indicates a positive role for tea in human health, although the final proof from intervention studies remains elusive.'

- The methods used in each of the individual studies were not reported, and therefore the reliability of their findings are unclear from this report...

- Intervention trials were very variable in the outcomes that were examined...

- Other risk factors for heart disease or for other outcomes examined such as bone disease are not clear...

- The high variability in the trials makes it difficult to draw the results of the studies together to provide conclusive results.

- The methods used to conduct the search for reviews or individual tea studies are not clear from the report...

So,

"For now, it may be best for people to continue to enjoy a cup of tea because they like it, rather than hoping for protection from heart attacks. There are many medical and lifestyle risk factors that contribute to the development of heart disease."

And don't believe what the MSM writes.