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Melinda’s love of a cuppa is down to health

• Posted:20 May 2009
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Melinda Messenger is working with the TEA ADVISORY PANEL to talk about the importance of healthy eating and drinking and how the good ol’ British cuppa may help their health and wellbeing.

She says “I lead a really hectic lifestyle as a mother of three, juggling work and family commitments.  For most women with busy lives, achieving the perfect diet isn’t easy and I know it can be hard to get the nutrients and hydration you need to stay on top form.

“I love my tea and drink it throughout the day. I love the taste, it improves my mood and makes it easier to drink enough fluid each day. What I didn’t know until I saw this I started working with the Tea Advisory Panel is all the health benefits of a good old cuppa.”

Scientific studies have shown tea to: 

• reduce the risk of heart disease, particularly in women

• reduce the chances of getting Parkinson’s Disease

• give better blood sugar control, a factor in diabetes and 

• reduce the risk of ovarian cancer

Now, this new research from the Tea Advisory Panel shows that: 

• More than half of us are fooling ourselves that we eat and drink healthily and as a result are suffering from fatigue and bad moods. Though we may be living longer, we may be spending less time full of vitality and in good health.

• Some 57% say that they eat healthily but: 

∗ only 11% eat the recommended three portions of wholegrains a day

∗ 10% eat five fruit and veg portions 

∗ 12% eat the ideal of 3 portions of dairy a day

• As a result, one in four of those in the study were scored as having a high fatigue score. None of those who ate the right foods and drank the right amount of fluid suffered from abnormal fatigue.

• All of those who ate and drank the wrong foods/drinks were in moderate or severe distress when it came to mood and wellbeing.

Melinda says “This new research supports my views that everyone needs to have the right nutrients in their diet, including antioxidants. However, what I didn’t realise is that tea is packed with so many antioxidant and hydration health benefits, so getting those four cups of tea a day is a must.”

Dr Ann Walker from the Tea Advisory Panel adds: “Drinking black tea, preferably four cups a day, has important health benefits that can help combat the stresses and strains of 21st century living. The calcium in the milk can help contribute to your daily dairy requirement, and black tea itself has a whole host of health-giving properties.

“This research shows a number of associations between diet and wellbeing which would be worth following up with clinical studies.  Most people know the healthy eating messages by now, but are not implementing them.   The good news for Brits is that their favourite drink, tea, is also associated with health benefits.  Daily consumption helps you to keep hydrated, enhances your intake of antioxidants and makes you feel better.”

How tea benefits health & wellbeing

Tea is a valuable source of antioxidants called flavonoids. Tea is the biggest source of flavonoids in the UK diet. A typical cuppa also contains: 

• theanine, an essential amino acid, which has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress, produce feelings of relaxation and improve cognition and mood when taken in combination with caffeine 

• calcium - tea with milk provides 21% of daily calcium requirement in 4 cups 

• Vitamin B6, Riboflavin B2 and Thiamin B1, zinc, folic acid, manganese (for bone growth and body development) and potassium (vital for maintaining body fluid levels)

• natural source of fluoride for healthy teeth (only 11% of UK water has fluoride added)

In addition, tea is an important way to stay hydrated. We need to drink at least 6-8 cups or glasses of fluid a day in order to stay hydrated and approximately 40% of the nation’s fluid intake today will be tea. Good hydration is important for the whole body – blood pressure, concentration and alertness, to avoid headaches, bone health, heart health, the kidneys, the bladder and the skin. Even your teeth can benefit from drinking enough fluid as mild dehydration may be a risk factor for dental disease.

Melinda concludes “Most people know the healthy eating messages but don’t put them into practice. The good news is that the nation’s favourite drink can help put people on the right track with its plethora of health benefits.”

Tea still the most popular….The research study also found tea is still Britain’s most popular drink in the home, with 80 per cent buying it for the kitchen cupboard, and the average Briton having nearly three cups a day. Fresh fruit juice were the next most commonly bought.   

-ends-

Notes to editors:

*The Tea Advisory Panel is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from the UK Tea Council, the trade association for the UK tea industry. The panel has been created to provide media with impartial information regarding the health benefits of tea. Panel members include nutritionists, dieticians and doctors.

**100 men and women 25-54 were interviewed face to face in England, Scotland and Wales in March 2008.

*** Tea is hydrating and the caffeine in a typical cup does not act as diuretic. A recent study found that you would have to consume six to seven cups of ordinary tea in one sitting (more than 300mg of caffeine) to be at risk of dehydration, and then the risk was minimal. 

****Pregnant women are advised to limit caffeine consumption to 300mg per day (equivalent to six cups of tea).  There are no official limits on caffeine consumption in non-pregnant consumers.

For further information, please contact:

Julia Riddle on 020 7052 8859 or Julia.riddle@nexuspr.com

Caroline Lynch on 020 7052 8855 or caroline.lynch@nexuspr.com

Nicky Smith on 020 7052 8850 or nicky.smith@nexuspr.com

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