The one tea dietitians recommend for a healthier brain, heart, and gut

 I'm not a tea drinker, I stick to coffee for all its' benefits.

Let's see how long your doctor has been incompetent in not having EXACT POROTOCOLS for polyphenols! Over a decade is world class incompetence, give him/her a medal!

• polyphenols (39 posts to September 2012)

The one tea dietitians recommend for a healthier brain, heart, and gut

Key Takeaways

• Black tea stands out as a smart everyday choice because its natural plant compounds may support heart health, sharper focus, and a healthier gut all at once.
• If you want calm, steady energy, black tea can be a gentler option than coffee thanks to its mix of modest caffeine and naturally soothing compounds.
• To get the most benefit from black or green tea, another RD-approved option, drink it unsweetened, watch for added sugar in bottled versions, and choose decaf later in the day if caffeine affects your sleep.

Tea is generally considered one of the healthiest beverages you can drink—especially when it contains no added sugar. However, each variety of tea offers its own unique benefits, which can make choosing one for specific health goals a challenge.

If you’re looking for a tea that offers a range of whole-body benefits—including brain, heart, and gut support—you’re in luck. According to registered dietitians, black tea offers all of these benefits and more! Read on to learn exactly why.

What Makes Black Tea So Good for You?

Whether it’s standard black tea, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, or another black tea blend, any black tea variety can support heart, brain, and gut health, thanks to its unique bioactive compounds. Known as polyphenols, these compounds offer a range of important health benefits that support each of these vital body systems.

Meet Our Expert

• Carrie Gabriel MS, RDN, a registered dietitian based in Los Angeles, California
• Sheri Gaw, RDN, CDCES, a registered dietitian based in San Jose, California
• Jaime Shelbert, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian based in Chicago, Illinois

Black Tea Supports Heart Health

When it comes to heart health, registered dietitian Jaime Shelbert, RDN, LDN explains why black tea can be helpful. “Black tea is rich in polyphenols called theaflavins—antioxidants that give black tea its dark color and bold flavor. Research suggests these polyphenols may support heart health by helping improve blood vessel function, circulation, and overall vascular health,” she says. Black tea also contains catechins—specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)—which are tied to impressive heart health benefits through helping to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels while also reducing cardiovascular disease risk. 

 Related video: Coffee and heart health (KXAN Austin)

Black Tea Increases Steady Focus and Brain Health

“Black tea is rich in L-theanine, an amino acid that supports brain health by improving mood, alertness, and rest. The combination of L-theanine and lower caffeine levels makes black tea a better choice than coffee for a smoother energy boost without the jitters,” shares registered dietitian Sheri Gaw, RDN, CDCES. EGCG also contributes to black tea’s overall brain health benefits. “EGCG protects brain tissues from oxidative stress, thereby reducing the risk of cognitive decline,” adds dietitian Carrie Gabriel MS, RDN. Research even points to ECGC boosting cognitive function and memory.

Black Tea Champions Gut Health

Emerging evidence even shows that black tea can support gut health. “Research further suggests that black tea polyphenols interact with the gut microbiome, helping support beneficial bacteria linked to both gut and overall health,” offers Shelbert. These benefits are amplified for those who drink several cups per day. This is partly because black tea polyphenols stimulate the growth of bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the gut, which reduce inflammation and promote intestinal barrier health. And the more black tea you drink, the greater the gut health benefits. “A 2023 study provided evidence that drinking three cups of black tea per day helped to increase healthy gut bacteria,” Gaw affirms.

Runner-Up: Green Tea

“Green tea also contains catechins, particularly EGCG, along with naturally occurring L-theanine and caffeine. Green tea’s polyphenols also act as antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress, which is important to both brain and cardiovascular health. From a gut health perspective, green tea polyphenols also support a healthier gut microbiome by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing inflammation in the digestive tract,” says Shelbert. Plus, green tea offers many of the same brain health benefits as black tea, along with steady energy that’s less likely to cause crashes or jitters.

These benefits are even more pronounced with matcha, since this powdered green tea allows you to consume the entire tea leaf. “Matcha powder contains about one gram of fiber in every two teaspoons—and fiber supports digestion as well as blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. A 2022 study found a positive change in gut microbiota with two weeks of continuous matcha consumption,” adds Gaw.

Regardless of whether you’re enjoying green or black tea at home, you’ll get the most gut, heart, and brain health benefits when you drink them without added sugar. This is because added sugar promotes inflammation in the body, which can detract from many of these benefits by counteracting tea’s anti-inflammatory effects. Bottled versions of green and black tea are more likely to contain added sugar, so be sure to check the ingredients list and nutrition facts panel before buying.

As an added bonus, these beverages can contribute to your daily fluid needs—especially if you opt for decaffeinated versions. Just be mindful of when you drink caffeinated green or black tea throughout the day if you’re sensitive to the stimulant, as sipping them later in the day may interfere with restful sleep.

Read the original article on Real Simple

New Study Reveals One Overlooked Nutrient That Supports Aging Well by mindbodygreen

 Your incompetent? doctor knew about flavonoids well over a decade ago and NEVER CREATED A PROTOCOL ON IT, right! What are YOU going to do about that incompetent doctor?

I don't do black tea, so I'll have to look at my other posts to see what to do

• flavonoids (70 posts to December 2013)

New Study Reveals One Overlooked Nutrient That Supports Aging Well

 We all want to age well, staying sharp, strong, and independent for as long as possible. And while there’s no magic bullet, researchers may have uncovered something surprisingly simple that supports all three: flavonoid-rich foods. A new study,spanning over two decades and nearly 90,000 participants, has found that adding just a few servings of flavonoid-rich foods like berries, black tea, apples, and citrus fruits to your daily routine may help protect your body and mind as you get older. 

The flavonoid-aging connection, explained

 Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in many fruits, vegetables, teas, and wines. They're already known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but this large-scale study set out to see if they could directly influence aging outcomes like frailty, physical decline, and mental health. 

Spoiler: 

They can. Using data from two long-term health studies, the researchers tracked participants aged 60+ for up to 24 years. Participants regularly completed food frequency questionnaires and reported health outcomes like energy levels, physical ability, and mood. 

What the study found

 For women with the highest intake of flavonoid-rich foods:15% lower risk of frailty, 12% lower risk of impaired physical function, 12% lower risk of poor mental health. In men, the most consistent benefit was mental health: 15% lower risk of poor mental health higher flavonoid consumption. And those who increased their intake over time saw greater benefits. Adding three extra servings of flavonoid-rich foods a day led to a 6–11% lower risk across all aging outcomes in women. 

Which foods did the heavy lifting?

 The foods most strongly associated with healthy aging were: Blueberries, Apples, Oranges, Black tea, Red wine (in moderation) These were linked to reduced risk of all three major aging concerns: frailty, loss of physical ability, and mental decline. Even modest increases (about a half-serving per day) of these foods showed measurable improvements over time.  

The power of flavonoids 

Flavonoids work in several ways to protect aging bodies and brains. They: Reduce oxidative stress & chronic inflammation. Support blood vessel and skeletal muscle health, neuroprotection & cognitive resilience Potentially through brain-signaling pathways. Some clinical trials have also shown flavonoids can in older adults, further supporting their role in preserving independence and quality of life. 

How to up your intake

 You don’t need a total diet overhaul. You don’t need expensive superfoods. You just need a few daily servings of flavonoid-rich foods to make a difference, such as: Adding in a daily cup of black tea Packing an apple or an orange as a snack high-quality chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth 

The takeaway

 Aging well isn’t just about genetics or luck—it’s about consistent, simple habits that support your body and brain over time. With a few extra servings of berries, tea, or fruit, you’re not just eating well, you’re investing in a future that’s stronger, sharper, and more independent.

8 of the Best Drinks to Support Healthy Aging, According to Nutritionists

The only one I do is coffee for all these reasons:

I'm not taking chances and do a 12 cup pot of coffee a day. 

How coffee protects against Parkinson’s Aug. 2014 

Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Dementia Feb. 2013

Coffee drinkers rejoice! Drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease 

And this: Coffee's Phenylindanes Fight Alzheimer's Plaque December 2018

New research suggests drinking coffee may reduce the risk of frailty May 2025

I think I'm in this category:  I never get the jitters or flushed skin.

Genetics determine how much coffee you can drink before it goes wrong

I'm doing a 12 cup pot of coffee a day with full fat milk to lessen my chances of dementia and Parkinsons. Tell me EXACTLY how much coffee to drink for that and I'll change. Yep, that is a lot more than the 400mg. suggested limit, I don't care! Preventing dementia and Parkinsons is vastly more important than whatever problems it can cause! 

8 of the Best Drinks to Support Healthy Aging, According to Nutritionists

While a well-balanced diet and frequent exercise are often emphasized in discussions about healthy aging, the fluids you drink are just as important. Many beverages are marketed as "good for you," but they often contain added sugar and fall short on their promises.

To find out which drinks actually support healthy aging, we spoke to registered dietitians. Here, they share some of the best options to include in your diet. Some may surprise you, while others might already be a staple in your daily routine.

Meet Our Expert

• Adiana Castro, MS, RDN, CLT, New York City-based metabolic dietitian, founder of Compass Nutrition

• Shelley Balls, MDA, RDN, LDN, founder of Fueling Your Lifestyle

The Best Drinks for Healthy Aging

Below, our nutrition experts share their go-to beverages for aging well.

Kefir

Probiotics are a vital part of a balanced gut microbiome. Kefir, a fermented milk product, is a probiotic powerhouse. It can feature many dozens of 60 strains of bacteria and yeast that promote a healthier microbiome for our gut. "As we age, gut health can play a huge part in disease prevention, immunity, and even mental health," says Shelley Balls, registered dietitian and founder of Fueling Your Lifestyle.

If you're looking to add Kefir into your daily routine, Adiana Castro, a New York City-based metabolic dietitian and founder of Compass Nutrition, recommends going for the plain version at the grocery store, and to make sure it includes information about live and active cultures on the label for maximum health benefits. "I would recommend drinking 4 to 8 ounces of kefir every day. Start with 2 ounces per day and then work your way up to 4 to 8 ounces per day," says Castro.

Bone Broth

Getty Images

If you enjoy the savory flavors of chicken broth, try incorporating 3 to 4 cups of bone broth into your wellness routine each week. It's a warm drink that is packed with nutrients to help support the function of the intestinal barrier, says Castro. It's rich in amino acids such as glutamine, glycine, proline, histidine, arginine, as well as minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Getting enough minerals is essential to maintaining bone strength.

"Glutamine is especially helpful in reducing inflammation," says Castro. The gelatin in bone broth helps repair the gut lining, improving absorption, which is crucial as digestion capacity decreases with age.

In addition to promoting bone and gut health, bone broth can also benefit the skin. It contains a significant amount of collagen, which helps with skin elasticity. When buying bone broth, check the label to see if it has been simmered for at least eight hours, "the levels of nutrients released from the bones are higher with longer cooking times," says Castro.

Herbal Tea

Getting enough sleep each night supports healthy aging, and herbal tea can help. These teas are rich in plant compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which protect the cells from oxidative stress that accelerates the aging process. "Chamomile or lemon balm can help with restful sleep and stress reduction, which are both crucial for aging well. I recommend 1 cup of any flavor of herbal tea daily," says Castro.

Coffee

jmsilva / Getty Images

Coffee is rich in antioxidants, which have protective effects on our health concerning Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. "There is increasing evidence in favor of protective effects of coffee consumption in development and progression of liver disease. Caffeine may stimulate liver enzymes and improve liver function," says Castro.

She also notes that the recommended daily coffee intake varies based on the individual, but the average tolerance is up to 2 to 4 cups per day before 2:00 p.m. To ensure that your body properly absorbs the benefits, it's best to consume coffee at least one hour before mealtime, according to Balls. "If possible, it’s best to eat breakfast first, then drink it after breakfast, so you’re not consuming coffee on an empty stomach, which can irritate your stomach lining," says Balls.

While drinking coffee has health benefits, it's essential to note that adding excess sugar, cream, or flavored syrups can cancel out these benefits.

Green Tea

Green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and is brewed at a lower temperature, resulting in a lighter, fresher flavor. "It is rich in the polyphenol EGCG, which acts like a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which greatly impact aging," says Castro. Green tea helps balance blood sugar, which is also important for longevity.

If you choose to drink green tea daily, Castro recommends 2 to 3 cups steeped for about 2 to 3 minutes and consumed before 2:00 p.m. to maximize health benefits and ensure good sleep.

Black Tea

Like green tea, black tea is from the Camellia sinensis plant, but is brewed at a higher temperature and boasts a more bitter taste. Black tea contains polyphenols, such as theaflavins and thearubigins, that act like prebiotics, benefiting the bacteria in your microbiome.

"These polyphenols feed keystone strains like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus that support the immune system as you age. I recommend up to 1-2 cups of black tea daily, steeped for about 4-5 minutes before 2:00 PM to avoid sleep disruption," says Castro.

Water

Incorporating even one of these drinks into your weekly wellness routine can support healthy aging. But drinking enough water each day is essential. "Sure, it doesn't have a lot of bells or whistles, but water is such an important part of your body, and can help manage blood sugar levels if you're adequately hydrated," says Balls. "Staying hydrated with water helps lower your risk of heart disease, kidney stones, and diabetes, which are common concerns as we age."

Tips

If plain water is hard to drink in large amounts, Castro recommends adding flavor without artificial sweeteners:

• Infuse with fruit: Slice citrus, berries, or cucumbers to give your water a natural flavor boost.

• Freeze flavored ice cubes: Make ice cubes from herbal tea or pureed fruit and drop them into your water for a burst of flavor as they melt.

• Balance caffeine with water: Drink a glass of water for every cup of coffee, tea, or energy drink.

• Set reminders: If you often forget to hydrate, set gentle phone reminders for water breaks and pay attention to your body's thirst and dehydration signals.

Instead of relying on caffeinated drinks throughout the day, check in with yourself to be sure you're drinking enough water. Staying hydrated supports energy levels, which can motivate you to be active and maintain healthy habits, says Balls. "Your hydration status is also linked to your metabolic health, crucial for fat metabolism, nutrient transport, and waste removal."

Martha's Green Juice

Emily Laurae

And of course, we can't forget Martha's green juice. For years, she has credited her prized green juice for contributing to her good health. "This is what I recharge my batteries with every single morning," she says. "I don't leave my house without it." Her recipe includes pears, celery, cucumbers, parsley, ginger, and orange. While juice lacks the fiber of whole fruits and vegetables, green juice is a health-boosting blend that makes it easy to drink your greens. If certain ingredients are low or out of season, simply swap them out with other nutritious vegetables and fruits that you like. Note that we are referring to juice fresh-pressed at home, which doesn't include the sweeteners or other additives you might find in bottled versions.

Read th

e original article on Martha Stewart

Black tea and berries could contribute to healthier aging, suggests study

 It's the flavonoids, so ask your fuckingly incompetent doctor FOR EXACT AMOUNTS! I don't do black tea, so I'll have to look at my other posts to see what to do, since I have no doctor to contact that knows anything at all. And nothing in this has any useful amounts at all.

flavonoids (37 posts to December 2013)

Black tea and berries could contribute to healthier aging, suggests study

Black tea drinking associated with reduced deaths

I can't do this, I'll stick to coffee for all its' benefits.

Black tea drinking associated with reduced deaths

At a Glance

• Drinking black tea was associated with a modest reduction in death in a large study.
• The results support black tea being part of a healthy diet.

The results add to growing research showing that drinking tea may have health benefits. Halfpoint / Shutterstock

Tea is a popular beverage around the world. Previous studies have shown an association between tea drinking and reduced mortality. But these studies have mostly looked at Asian populations who typically drink green tea. In places such as Europe and the United States, black tea is more common. The few studies done on black tea-drinking populations have produced mixed results.

A research team led by Dr. Maki Inoue-Choi of NIH’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) investigated the association between tea drinking and mortality in the United Kingdom, where black tea is popular. The team used data on nearly half a million people, ages 40-69, who enrolled in the UK Biobank study between 2006 and 2010.

The participants completed questionnaires covering demographic, lifestyle, and health-related information. This included the number of cups of tea they drank each day. The researchers followed participants for the 14-year study period, until early 2020. For those who died during this time, the researchers obtained date and cause of death from the UK National Health Service. The results appeared in the September 2022 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

The researchers found a 9-13% lower risk of death among people who drank at least 2 cups of tea per day than among non-tea drinkers. Tea drinking was associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular diseases. In particular, tea drinkers in the study had lower mortality from ischemic heart disease and stroke. By contrast, the tea drinkers did not have lower mortality from cancer or respiratory disease than non-tea drinkers.

The team controlled for demographic, health, and lifestyle factors in their analysis. Genetic data were available for most participants, allowing the researchers to assess whether the associations they found varied with genetic variants that affect how fast people metabolize caffeine. They found that these variants did not affect the associations, nor did drinking coffee. Adding milk or sugar to the tea didn’t change the associations, either.

“The results reinforce that tea, including black tea, can be part of a healthy diet,” says senior author Dr. Erikka Loftfield of NCI. But the researchers caution that the study is observational and cannot prove that tea drinking lowered the risk of death directly. They also did not assess some aspects of tea drinking, such as cup size and tea strength, that may be important. Further study will be needed to determine if and how tea reduces the risk of death.

“People shouldn’t change their tea drinking habits based on this study alone,” Inoue-Choi says. “But if you drink tea already, you may be getting benefits from it."

Bottoms Up on Black Tea for a Long Life? 2 plus cups per day

Well, I'm sticking to coffee for lowering the risk of dementia and Parkinsons. I'd rather have a better than longer life.  But coffee also seems to lower your CVD risk, ask your doctor if that is enough to match black teas' lower mortality risk.

Regular consumption of two to three cups of coffee per day could lower CVD risk

 

How coffee protects against Parkinson’s Aug. 2014  

Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Dementia Feb. 2013

And this: Coffee's Phenylindanes Fight Alzheimer's Plaque December 2018

The latest here:

Bottoms Up on Black Tea for a Long Life?

Prospective study found modest mortality benefit to drinking 2-plus cups per day

by Kristen Monaco, Staff Writer, MedPage Today August 29, 2022

A few cups of tea a day might help to stave off an early death, a U.K. Biobank prospective cohort study showed.

Among nearly half a million middle-age adults, those who consumed two or more cups of tea a day saw a modest but lower risk for all-cause mortality over a median 11.2-year follow-up, reported Maki Inoue-Choi, PhD, of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and colleagues in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

While those who only drank one or fewer cups per day didn't see this protective benefit (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-1.00), moderate and heavy tea drinkers did see a significantly lower mortality risk:

• Two to three cups per day: HR 0.87 (95% CI 0.84-0.91)
• Four to five cups: HR 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.91)
• Six to seven cups: HR 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.92)
• Eight to nine cups: HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.86-0.97)
• 10 or more cups: HR 0.89 (95% CI 0.84-0.95)

"Almost 90% drank black tea, making black tea the predominant tea type in this population," Inoue-Choi pointed out during a press conference. She added that most previous research quantifying the benefits of tea drinking have focused on green, not black, tea.

"These results suggest that black tea, even at higher levels of intake, can be part of a healthy diet," she said. "While these findings offer reassurance to tea drinkers, they do not indicate that people should start drinking tea or change their tea consumption for health benefits."

Inoue-Choi's group also found that drinking tea was linked with a lower risk for cardiovascular-specific causes of death.

In fully adjusted models for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, drinking more than two cups of tea per day was associated with a 14% to 24% lower risk for death from all cardiovascular diseases, with the heaviest tea drinkers seeing the most risk reductions.

Likewise, consuming two to three cups per day was linked with a 17% lower risk for death due to ischemic heart disease, although those who drank anywhere from four to seven cups on average didn't see a significant risk reduction. However, drinking eight or more cups on average was associated with a 26% lower risk for ischemic heart disease-related mortality.

As for stroke-related deaths, only those who drank 10 or more cups per day saw a significant risk reduction (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.28-0.85).

Drinking an average of two to three cups of tea per day was also linked with a modestly reduced risk for respiratory disease-related death and cancer-related death.

Inoue-Choi added that these associations were seen regardless of tea temperature and whether people took their tea black or if they added milk and/or sugar. The associations were also adjusted for genetic variations in caffeine metabolism.

"Tea is very rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols," she told MedPage Today. "These compounds have the potential to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation, so these mechanisms can protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions."

For this analysis, the researchers assessed data on 498,043 men and women from the U.K. Biobank, ranging in ages from 40 to 69, who completed the baseline touchscreen questionnaire from 2006 to 2010. More than 90% of respondents were white.

Of this cohort, 85% said they consumed tea daily, with 11.5% drinking one cup or less, 29.4% drinking two to three cups, 25.5% drinking four to five cups, 11.8% drinking six to seven cups, 3.7% drinking eight to nine cups, and 3.4% drinking 10 or more cups.

Men were a bit more likely to be the heaviest tea drinkers. Those drinking 10 or more cups of tea per day were also most likely to be current smokers.

"Although the associations were assessed carefully and comprehensively, these results need to be replicated in future studies and extended in other diverse populations," Inoue-Choi suggested.

• 

  Kristen Monaco is a staff writer, focusing on endocrinology, psychiatry, and nephrology news. Based out of the New York City office, she’s worked at the company since 2015.

Disclosures

This study was funded by the National Cancer Institute Intramural Research Program.

Inoue-Choi and co-authors reported no disclosures.

Primary Source

Annals of Internal Medicine

Source Reference: Inoue-Choi M, et al "Tea consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the UK Biobank" Ann Intern Med 2022; DOI: 10.7326/M22-0041.

Drinking tea improves brain health, study suggests

In one week, if you have a competent stroke hospital, tea will start being served regularly. But you don't have a competent hospital as proven by no measurements of anything.  

1. tPA full recovery? Better than 12%?
2. 30 day deaths? Better than competitors?
3. rehab full recovery? Better than 10%?

I however will stick with coffee because this;

 How coffee protects against Parkinson’s Aug. 2014 

 Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Dementia Feb. 2013 

And this: Coffee's Phenylindanes Fight Alzheimer's Plaque  

This also: Two Compounds in Coffee May Team Up to Fight Parkinson's 

 

Drinking tea improves brain health, study suggests

ScienceDaily | September 13, 2019

A recent study led by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) revealed that regular tea drinkers have better organized brain regions —and this is associated with healthy cognitive function—compared to non-tea drinkers. The research team made this discovery after examining neuroimaging data of 36 older adults.

"Our results offer the first evidence of positive contribution of tea drinking to brain structure and suggest that drinking tea regularly has a protective effect against age-related decline in brain organization," explained team leader Assistant Professor Feng Lei, who is from the Department of Psychological Medicine at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
The research was carried out together with collaborators from the University of Essex and University of Cambridge, and the findings were published in scientific journal Aging on 14 June 2019.

Benefits of regular intake of tea

Past studies have demonstrated that tea intake is beneficial to human health, and the positive effects include mood improvement and cardiovascular disease prevention. In fact, results of a longitudinal study led by Asst. Prof. Feng which was published in 2017 showed that daily consumption of tea can reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older persons by 50%.
Following this discovery, Asst. Prof. Feng and his team further explored the direct effect of tea on brain networks.
The research team recruited 36 adults aged 60 and above, and gathered data about their health, lifestyle, and psychological well-being. The elderly participants also had to undergo neuropsychological tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study was carried out from 2015 to 2018.
Upon analyzing the participants' cognitive performance and imaging results, the research team found that individuals who consumed either green tea, oolong tea, or black tea at least four times a week for about 25 years had brain regions that were interconnected in a more efficient way.
"Take the analogy of road traffic as an example—consider brain regions as destinations, while the connections between brain regions are roads. When a road system is better organized, the movement of vehicles and passengers is more efficient and uses less resources. Similarly, when the connections between brain regions are more structured, information processing can be performed more efficiently," explained Asst. Prof. Feng.
He added, "We have shown in our previous studies that tea drinkers had better cognitive function as compared to non-tea drinkers. Our current results relating to brain network indirectly support our previous findings by showing that the positive effects of regular tea drinking are the result of improved brain organization brought about by preventing disruption to interregional connections."

Next step in research

As cognitive performance and brain organization are intricately related, more research is needed to better understand how functions like memory emerge from brain circuits, and the possible interventions to better preserve cognition during the ageing process. Asst. Prof. Feng and his team plan to examine the effects of tea as well as the bioactive compounds in tea can have on cognitive decline.

To read more, click here.

GW25-e0837 Effects of tea intake on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials

You'll have to ask your doctor what you need to do about your blood pressure. Ask for the protocol. Because if we don't start demanding protocols our doctors will never write one up. That is because they probably still believe in the incredibly stupid comment, 'All strokes are different, all stroke recoveries are different'. Challenge them on that and ask for published research. Or are they just pulling crap out of thin air because they need to say something to sound knowledgeable.
http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleID=1914421

Liu Gang; Huang Xiaohong

[+] Author Information

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(16_S):. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2014.06.519

Article

text A A A

To read this abstract, download the PDF from the toolbox at the top right.

Objectives

Objectives | Methods | Results | Conclusions

The effect of tea intake on blood pressure (BP) is controversial. We undertook a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine changes in systolic and diastolic BP due to the intake black and green tea.

Methods

Objectives | Methods | Results | Conclusions

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched from 1966 until January 2014 for studies in parallel group or crossover design in which BP was assessed before and after receiving black or green tea for at least 1 week. The weighted mean difference was calculated for net changes in BP by using fixed-effects or random-effects models. Previously defined subgroup analyses were performed to explore the influence of study characteristics.

Results

Objectives | Methods | Results | Conclusions

21 eligible randomized controlled trials with 1323 subjects were enrolled. After the tea intake, the pooled mean systolic and diastolic BP were −1.8 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.4- −1.1 mmHg) and −1.4mmHg (95% CI, −2.2- −0.6 mm Hg) lower, respectively, compared with the tea-free controls. Subgroup analyses showed that the BP-lowering effect was apparent in the subjects who consumed a tea over a median of 12 weeks (systolic/diastolic BP, -2.6/-2.1 mmHg, both P <0.001). Stratified by type of tea, green tea significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BP of -2.1 (95% CI, −2.9- −1.2) and -1.7 (95% CI, −2.9- −0.5) mm Hg, and black tea significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BP of -1.4 (95% CI, −2.4- −0.4) and -1.1 (95% CI, -1.9- −0.2) mm Hg, respectively. The benefits of tea intake were not influenced by ethnicity, treatment dose of tea catechins, individual health status, or caffeine intake.

Effects of tea intake on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials

In case you want to know what your tea habit does for you.
Other benefits of tea here;

Black Tea Linked with Reduced Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke and Tooth Decay

Interactions of black tea polyphenols with human gut microbiota: implications for gut and cardiovascular health

Polyphenols from green tea prevent antineuritogenic action of Nogo-A via 67-kDa laminin receptor and hydrogen peroxide

Green Tea Boosts Your Brain

Green Tea Or Coffee May Reduce Stroke Risk

Green Tea Boosts Memory

http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleID=1914421 

 

 

 

Liu Gang; Huang Xiaohong

[+] Author Information

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(16_S):. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2014.06.519

Article

text A A A

To read this abstract, download the PDF from the toolbox at the top right.

Objectives

Objectives | Methods | Results | Conclusions

The effect of tea intake on blood pressure (BP) is controversial. We undertook a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine changes in systolic and diastolic BP due to the intake black and green tea.

Methods

Objectives | Methods | Results | Conclusions

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched from 1966 until January 2014 for studies in parallel group or crossover design in which BP was assessed before and after receiving black or green tea for at least 1 week. The weighted mean difference was calculated for net changes in BP by using fixed-effects or random-effects models. Previously defined subgroup analyses were performed to explore the influence of study characteristics.

Results

Objectives | Methods | Results | Conclusions

21 eligible randomized controlled trials with 1323 subjects were enrolled. After the tea intake, the pooled mean systolic and diastolic BP were −1.8 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.4- −1.1 mmHg) and −1.4mmHg (95% CI, −2.2- −0.6 mm Hg) lower, respectively, compared with the tea-free controls. Subgroup analyses showed that the BP-lowering effect was apparent in the subjects who consumed a tea over a median of 12 weeks (systolic/diastolic BP, -2.6/-2.1 mmHg, both P <0.001). Stratified by type of tea, green tea significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BP of -2.1 (95% CI, −2.9- −1.2) and -1.7 (95% CI, −2.9- −0.5) mm Hg, and black tea significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BP of -1.4 (95% CI, −2.4- −0.4) and -1.1 (95% CI, -1.9- −0.2) mm Hg, respectively. The benefits of tea intake were not influenced by ethnicity, treatment dose of tea catechins, individual health status, or caffeine intake.

Conclusions

Objectives | Methods | Results | Conclusions

The meta-analysis showed that long-term (≥12 weeks) ingestion of a tea (green and black tea) resulted in a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic BP.