We've heard a lot lately about the health benefits of green tea, but researchers at the University of Western Australia in Perth have come out in favor of black tea. Their study, entitled "Effects of Black Tea on Blood Pressure: a Randomized Controlled Trial" and published in the "Archives of Medicine," showed that quaffing three cups a day for six months lowered both diastolic and systolic numbers. The scientists point out that tea -- regardless of the color -- is a good source of flavonoids, those health-boosting nutrients that promote wellness in numerous ways.
The subjects of the study were 95 men and women with a mean age of 56 for men and 57 for women. The researchers postulated that the reason black tea helps to lower blood pressure is that it prevents dysfunction of the inner lining of blood cells and may in fact improve the function of these "endothelial" cells. In addition, an earlier study by the same authors demonstrated that tea augments nitric acid status, which in turn promotes normal blood pressure.
Now we have a health conscious reason to enjoy steaming cups of Earl Gray or English Breakfast. Just go easy on the cream and sugar!
