HIGHLIGHTED tea facts OF THE WEEK

Most of the beneficial properties of tea are due to the presence of high amounts of polyphenolic compounds in tea. When a cup of tea is consumed these polyphenols have to be absorbed from the digestive tract into the blood stream to impart the beneficial effects. Research carried out to find the absorption of polyphenols in tea with and without milk indicate that addition of milk does not alter the absorption of polyphenols. Therefore, addition of milk does not reduce the health benefits of tea.

Amount of caffeine in a cup of tea or coffee could vary due to many reasons such as the variety of tea or coffee, method of processing, brewing etc. However, in general coffee contains higher amounts of caffeine than tea. An average cup of tea could contain 15 – 60 mg of caffeine while in coffee it could be 60 – 150 mg.

Tea could be considered as a part of a healthy diet as it provides beneficial effects in addition to hydrating the body. Therefore, tea is a beverage which is suitable to obtain part of the daily requirement of fluids. Antioxidant activity of the polyphenols in tea had been recognized as the most significant beneficial activity of tea. Regular consumption of tea is important to obtain a regular supply of polypehnols. Hence, consumption of four cups per day could be considered as an adequate amount to obtain the beneficial effects of tea.

Iron is present in two forms in our diet. ‘Haem iron’ which is found in meat and fish and ‘non-haem iron’ found in dietary items from plant sources. Absorption of haem iron is not affected by tea. However, if tea is consumed with the meal non-heam iron absorption is reduced (absorption is not completely stopped). Further, meat and fish contain relatively higher amounts of iron compared to dietary items from plant sources. Therefore, if your diet is rich in meat and fish, meal time tea consumption will not affect the body iron status. However, if your diet is mostly vegetarian and already marginal in iron supply, it is advisable to consume tea between the meals.

There have been a number of statements on selected websites that use of teabags filter papers can have health effects as they are made with, or coated with, epichlorohydrin which is considered to be a potential carcinogen. The statements are at best ill-informed and misleading and the statement that epichlorohydrin is used to coat the paper is incorrect. The filter paper materials used are fully compliant with relevant legal requirements and good practice guidelines for papers which are in direct contact with food such as those detailed below: Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and the council American FDA regulations 21 CFR Ch. I §176.170+176.180 German Foodstuffs, Consumer and Animal Feed Code(LFGB) §30+31

Long-term consumption of tea catechins could be beneficial against high-fat diet-induced obesity and type II diabetes and could reduce the risk of coronary disease. Further research that conforms to international standards need to be performed to monitor the pharmacological and clinical effects of green tea and to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

Many in vitro studies have demonstrated the anti-oxidant properties of both black and green tea, as well as the antioxidant activity of the polyphenols in tea. Further studies have shown that these anti-oxidant components of tea are absorbed into the blood circulation from the digestive tract and act as anti-oxidants in body systems. These findings indicate that tea drinking helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer, common degenerative diseases.

Iron is present in two forms in our diet. ‘Haem iron’ which is found in meat and fish and ‘non-haem iron’ found in dietary items from plant sources. Absorption of haem iron is not affected by tea. However, if tea is consumed with the meal non-heam iron absorption is reduced (absorption is not completely stopped). Further, meat and fish contain relatively higher amounts of iron compared to dietary items from plant sources. Therefore, if your diet is rich in meat and fish, meal time tea consumption will not affect the body iron status. However, if your diet is mostly vegetarian and already marginal in iron supply, it is advisable to consume tea between the meals.

Questions surrounding caffeine intake and risk of miscarriage and health of the foetus continue to be raised by pregnant women. Caffeine consumption equivalent to approximately 3 ½ to 5 cups of tea per day had no effect on birth weight, birth length and head circumference of the baby. A follow-up examinations at age’s eight months, four and seven years also revealed no effect of caffeine consumption on the child’s motor development or intelligence. Pregnancy hampers caffeine metabolism. For example, in non-pregnant women the break-down of half of the caffeine takes an average of 2.5 – 4.5 hours, 7 hours during mid-pregnancy and 10.5 during the last few weeks of pregnancy. As caffeine retention is longer during pregnancy, women sensitive to caffeine may be affected. As a result a moderate consumption of approximately 3-4 cups a day, is recommended for women during pregnancy.

There is no reason to believe that tea promotes fluid loss, rather there are many reasons to believe that tea is a valid beverage choice in helping to maintain fluid balance.

Maintaining optimal fluid balance is important for maintaining optimal health. Due to its high water content, tea is a particularly good beverage choice for keeping one’s body well hydrated.

Theophylline is an alkaloid derived from Tea which acts as a mild bronchodilator. In brewed tea, trace amounts of theophylline is present; only around 1 mg/L which is significantly less than a therapeutic dose. Tea has classically been used to treat mild asthma and bronchitis although other potent anti-asthma medications are available with more therapeutic benefit, tea may be beneficial for mild respiratory problems and is safe, even for children. But tea should not be used as a medication for Asthma. The difference in the quantity of theophylline between green/black tea is insignificant.

Most of the health benefits in tea are due to the presence of flavonoids. If tea is not stored properly after processing into made tea, the flavonoid content could deplete with time reducing the health benefits. Proper packaging after processing could preserve the flavonoids for two to three years with very little decrease in the content preserving the health benefits.

Researcher Dr Weisburger concludes from recent studies that six or more cups of tea per day helps healthy aging. Tea can restore elasticity to the skin, and tests have shown that it enhances memory. In populations where regular tea drinking is a part of the lifestyle, as in Japan and India, individuals are likely to live to an advanced age in good health. Also, experimental studies indicate that animals given dietary antioxidants, including tea, live longer.

Many in vitro studies have demonstrated the anti-oxidant properties of both black and green tea, as well as the antioxidant activity of the polyphenols in tea. Further studies have shown that these anti-oxidant components of tea are absorbed into the blood circulation from the digestive tract and act as anti-oxidants in body systems. These findings indicate that tea drinking helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer, common degenerative diseases.

Questions surrounding caffeine intake and risk of miscarriage and health of the foetus continue to be raised by pregnant women. Caffeine consumption equivalent to approximately 3 ½ to 5 cups of tea per day had no effect on birth weight, birth length and head circumference of the baby. A follow-up examinations at age’s eight months, four and seven years also revealed no effect of caffeine consumption on the child’s motor development or intelligence. Pregnancy hampers caffeine metabolism. For example, in non-pregnant women the break-down of half of the caffeine takes an average of 2.5 – 4.5 hours, 7 hours during mid-pregnancy and 10.5 during the last few weeks of pregnancy. As caffeine retention is longer during pregnancy, women sensitive to caffeine may be affected. As a result a moderate consumption of approximately 3-4 cups a day, is recommended for women during pregnancy.

Caffeine extraction times could vary in different types of tea. However, in most commercially available teas caffeine is extracted quickly. Around 80% of caffeine in tea is extracted in the first minute of brewing and by 3 minutes around 90% of caffeine is extracted. Longer brewing will therefore, only slightly increase the amount of caffeine in the brew.

The production and export of the instant tea was introduced to Sri Lanka

The first public Colombo Tea Auction was held at the premises of Somerville & Co. under the auspice of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Taylor began the operation of the first fully equipped tea factory at Loolecondera Estate and the first sale of Loolecondera tea was made in Kandy.