NEW YORK, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- An easy health-promoting resolution is to drink more tea -- preferably instead of a sugar-laden drink, a tea advocacy group suggests.
The Tea Council of the U.S.A. says recent studies show tea may have health benefits that include:
-- Improving the brain's attention networks. This link is being explored by John Foxe of the City University of New York, who is testing a substance in tea -- theanine -- on humans.
-- Reducing body fat and in particular visceral fat, possibly through increased resting energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Some studies suggest a substance in green tea -- catechin -- may be the reason.
-- Improving cardiovascular health. Dr. Claudio Ferri, of the University of L'Aquila in Italy, says tea flavonoids provide support for cardiovascular health by promoting healthy endothelial function.
-- Having a significant effect on genes that impact cancer susceptibility in some people. Dr. Iman Hakim of the University of Arizona has conducted several human clinical trials on how bioactive compounds in tea may help cells repair from environmental insults.
"While there is no known downside of consuming tea, it may be beneficial and there's no reason not to drink it," Hakim said in a statement.
