Cup of daily hot drink 'reduces chance of cognitive impairment'

Extensive scientific data points to the wellbeing benefits of a regular cup of tea. However, International Tea Day, which took place on Wednesday, coincides with the publishing of a new

real-world research survey of more than 1,000 Brits, reviewed by the Tea Advisory Panel. It said it shone "a harsh light" on our lack of knowledge of the health benefits of regular

tea drinking. More than four in five Brits, it said, fail to make the link between their daily cuppa and benefits to their health – including brain and bone health as well as mental health.

BENEFITS OF A DAILY CUP OF TEA MENTAL HEALTH Scientific evidence that tea supports our mental health is stacking up. Yet, 67% didn’t associate drinking tea with reducing stress or anxiety.

“People simply aren’t aware of the science despite the potentially grave consequences for our physical and mental health,” says Dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton from the Tea Advisory Panel,

adding, “For example, a recent review of the latest scientific evidence suggests that certain active ingredients in tea could help reduce the effects of depression, anxiety, and sleep

problems. These substances include L-theanine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), arginine, catechins, theaflavins, caffeine, theacrine, and a number of volatile compounds.” BRAIN HEALTH “When it

comes to keeping our brain healthy, a study of more than 4,000 people found that regular tea drinking was significantly associated with a lower chance of having cognitive impairment in

middle age and older age,” explains Tea expert and researcher Dr Tim Bond from the Tea Advisory Panel. Cognitive impairment is an umbrella term for problems with memory, understanding,

reasoning and problem-solving. Frequent tea drinking and drinking green tea in particular were noted to be especially beneficial in this study. However, 91% of TAP study review respondents

didn’t make the connection between drinking tea and better cognitive health. BONE HEALTH Research also shows that tea is supportive of our skeletal system. For example, as Dr Bond Tim

explained: “A super study of 18 individual studies involving more than 48,000 postmenopausal women found that drinking tea resulted in higher bone mineral density around the hips. Drinking

tea also lowered their risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.” Despite this scientific evidence to back tea’s bone supporting capabilities, when polled, 94% of respondents to the latest

TAP data review didn’t associate drinking tea with supporting bone health. Dr Carrie Ruxton concluded: “The latest TAP data review demonstrates how much of a worrying knowledge gap exists

between Brits’ understanding of the health benefits of a brew and the latest scientific research. International Tea Day is a chance for us to raise awareness of the boost we can all give to

the health of our hearts, brains, and bones – as well as to reducing our risk of poor sleep and mental health problems – simply by sticking the kettle on for a regular cuppa throughout the

day.”