the research, published in the journal nutrition and food technology , found that any type of tea can help counter obesity, stress and heart disease in children four years of age or older and reduce the risk of stroke among the elderly. “studies show that benefits for health and wellbeing are seen at daily intakes of two to four cups — and it doesn’t matter whether you choose regular black tea or green tea,” said pamela mason, author of the study and a public health nutritionist from wales, according to the evening standard .
although parents may be wary of giving caffeine to already active young children, mason said the combination of flavonoids and hydration the beverage imparts outweighs other considerations and can keep kids from reaching for sugary sodas or other undesirable alternatives. camellia sinensis , the plant from which tea is derived, can heighten cardiovascular health and invigorate the immune system when consumed regularly over the course of a lifetime.
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“the benefits of tea consumption are present at all stages of life from infancy to old age and long-term tea consumption promotes long term wellbeing,” mason concludes in the study. “research increasingly shows that consuming tea camellia sinensis throughout life from childhood to older age offers health and well-being benefits including hydration, mental and cognitive health benefits, cardiovascular health, metabolic health, bone health, gut health and immune health.
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dave yasvinski is a writer with healthing.ca