Three cups of tea daily could slow aging, Chinese scientists suggest
Numerous studies performed by experts across the globe highlight tea's health benefits. These studies demonstrate that this widely enjoyed beverage positively impacts our central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and focus, reduces fatigue, and can even help in decreasing cholesterol levels.
Scientific exploration of the health benefits of tea
In a recent study published in "The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific", experts from Sichuan University, Chengdu, China found that drinking three cups of tea daily can decelerate the aging process and potentially influence our lifespan. The scientists attribute this to the bioactive substances in tea, including polyphenols, which offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, to name a few.
In addition, previous animal research suggests that flavonoids, subtypes of polyphenols, could prolong the expected lifespan of worms, flies, and even mice. Scientists haveten to add, though, that there is yet to be comprehensive research that confirms the supposition that tea consumption can delay the biological aging process in humans.
During the analysis, scientists examined data from two groups. The first group comprised 5,998 British individuals aged between 37 and 73 years old, while the second group consisted of 7,931 Chinese individuals aged between 30 and 79 years old. Each participant was requested to provide information about their dietary habits. This included the type of tea consumed (black, white, green), and the average number of cups consumed daily.
The scientists reported in "The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific" that the analyzed data suggests consuming about three cups of tea, or between 0.2 to 0.28 ounces of tea leaves daily, could offer the most noticeable anti-aging benefits. It's also worth stating that no significant differences were observed between those who drank black tea and those who drank green. Furthermore, they discovered that the temperature at which the tea was consumed had no effect on the outcomes.
The American Service New Scientist pointed out that investigators acknowledged limitations in their study, such as the varying sizes of tea cups used by participants or the reliability of participants' details about their tea consumption. New Scientist also reminded readers that since the study was observational, it could not definitively state that "drinking tea directly delayed biological aging". To substantiate this, more advanced research is needed.
