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Drinking tea can help you recover more quickly from the stresses of everyday life, according to a new study by UCL (University College London) researchers. New scientific evidence shows that black tea has an effect on stress hormone levels in the body.

The study, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, found that people who drank tea were able to de-stress more quickly than those who drank a fake tea substitute. The study participants - who drank a black tea concoction four times a day for six weeks - were found to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood after a stressful event, compared with a control group who drank the placebo tea for the same period of time.

In the six week study, participants gave up their normal tea, coffee and caffeinated beverages, then one group was given a fruit-flavored caffeinated tea mixture made up of the constituents of an average cup of black tea whilst the control group was given a caffeinated placebo identical in taste. Both groups were subjected to challenging tasks, while their levels of stress were measured.

When measured both groups showed evidence of similar stress levels, however, 50 minutes after the task, cortisol levels had dropped by an average of 47 per cent in the tea drinking group compared with 27 per cent in the placebo tea group.

Scientists have called for an increase in tea drinking following (advanced online) publication of new research. Data collated over more than ten years found that drinking 4 cups or more every day of Britain's favorite brew could be more beneficial than drinking water!*

The research flies in the face of advice given during the recent hot spell. A number of health 'experts' wrongly spouted that only water should be drunk for hydration - dangerous advice indeed for the elderly population most at risk of suffering.

Dr Carrie Ruxton, principle researcher, confirmed: 'There is now overwhelming evidence that drinking tea every day can be beneficial to heart health. Our bodies need antioxidants to help fight off the attack by free radicals and tea provides the most abundant source in the UK diet. We should also consider the positive benefits that drinking tea has on hydrating Britons - many of whom are elderly and don't drink water.'

Bill Gorman of The Tea Council welcomed the new research: 'This new paper rubber stamps much of what we already know, that the tea we drink every day is good for our health. Our own research has shown that in recent years young women are increasingly drinking tea rather than coffee, although many are shunning tea in favor of water, which they find a chore, rather than something they enjoy. For the good of their health, they should turn back to tea - they'd be a mug not to.'

Green tea's ability to fight cancer is even more potent and varied than scientists suspected, research suggests. Scientists already know that green tea contains anti-oxidants which may have a protective effect against cancer.

But now they have discovered that chemicals in the tea also shut down a key molecule which can play a significant role in the development of cancer.

It's likely that the compounds in green tea act through many different pathways Professor Thomas Gasiewicz

The molecule, known as the aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor, has the ability to activate genes - but not always in a positive way. Tobacco smoke and dioxins, in particular, disrupt the functioning of the molecule and cause it to trigger potentially harmful gene activity.

The researchers, from Rochester University, found that two chemicals in green tea inhibit AH activity.

Similar compounds

Both chemicals are similar to compounds called flavonoids, which are found in broccoli, cabbage, grapes and red wine, and which are also known to help prevent cancer.

Researcher Professor Thomas Gasiewicz said: "Green tea may work differently than we thought to exert its anti-cancer activity.

"It's likely that the compounds in green tea act through many different pathways."

The Rochester team showed that the chemicals shut down the AH receptor in cancerous mouse cells.

Early results indicate the same is true in human cells.

However, the scientists say that the results in the laboratory do not necessarily translate to everyday life as the crucial factor is how green tea is broken down inside the body.

In addition, there are a lot of differences between various types of green tea.

Dr Julie Sharp, a science information office at Cancer Research UK, said: "This research describes additional properties of green tea that may be beneficial but which have yet to be tested properly.

"The causes of cancer are complex and both diet and our genetic make-up act together to influence our risk of developing the disease.

"Cancer Research UK is currently involved in a large-scale study of diet and health that is researching the eating habits of over half a million people in 10 European countries to try and help unravel this complexity."

Research has also suggested that green tea may help to reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and to lower cholesterol levels.

The mineral content of Rooibos is an added benefit - iron, potassium, zinc, manganese and sodium may help to maintain healthy skin, teeth and bones. Rooibos is grown only in a small area 250km north of Cape Town in the Cederberg area and no alternative source of supply for this unique product is available anywhere in the world.

Rooibos is completely pure and natural as it contains no additives, preservatives or colorants.

Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine free.

Rooibos contains significant antioxidants that can help fight free radicals (a by-product of normal cell function).

Rooibos tea is low in harmful tannin and therefore does not have a negative effect on the absorption of iron in the body.

Rooibos contains iron, potassium, magnesium, and copper - minerals which are essential for several metabolic functions.

Rooibos also supplements the daily amounts of calcium, manganese and fluoride, needed for the development of strong teeth and bones.

As Rooibos contains no oxalic acid it can be consumed freely by people suffering with kidney stones.