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Body & Soul

The Beneficial Effects of Tea

By Amanda Kalaydjian

Jun 03, 1999 -- It is a cultural tradition unique to Japan that dates back as far as the fourteenth century. Known as Chanuyo, the Japanese tea ceremony is based upon the serving and drinking of macha, a powdered green tea. The ceremony developed under the influence of Zen Buddhism and aims to purify the soul and promote inner harmony, what is coyly referred to as "walking the way of tea." Centuries after the initiation of Chanuyo, the use of tea as a focal point for this spiritual pastime has proven to be a good choice.

In the early 1990s Chanuyo women teachers were found to show a surprisingly low rate of mortality from cancer. The involvement of tea in this phenomenon became apparent when parallel studies revealed an inverse relationship between habitual green tea drinking and mortality rates for cancer. The ingredients in tea responsible for this effect became a subject of intense scientific study.

Tea leaves are processed differently to yield green, black or oolong tea. Green tea constitutes about 20 percent of the tea manufactured in the world and is mostly consumed in China and Japan. Oolong tea constitutes about 2 percent, and the rest is black tea. The most important chemicals in tea, as far as their biological effects on the body, are polyphenols and caffeine. Polyphenols are present in high quantities in dry tea leaves and determine the quality of the beverage. Molecular and biochemical research suggests that tea polyphenols also possess properties that help protect against the onset and progression of cancer.

Cancer is a widespread disease that can be caused by a number of factors, both genetic and environmental. Tea polyphenols possess strong antioxidant activity and help prevent against the actions of mutagens. They are also classified as anticarcinogenic because of their abilities to inhibit the activation of potential carcinogens and inactivate carcinogenic compounds. The result is a diminished number of cells that can progress independently as tumors. Tea polyphenols have been reported to protect against tumors in digestive organs, mammary glands, the liver, lung and skin, as well as protecting against the development of leukemia and the spread of cancerous cells throughout the body. Although most of the research has focused on the beneficial effects of green tea, evidence is accumulating that black tea may share some of these properties.

Tea has been a topic of scientific research for decades. A component of tea, called catechins, has been shown previously to prevent rises in blood pressure, reduce blood glucose levels and suppress increases in cholesterol and fat levels. Coupled with the anti-cancer effects of tea polyphenols, it is becoming apparent that tea has a number of beneficial health effects. A book called "Kissa-yojoki" discusses the effectiveness of green tea for the promotion of well-being and a long life. Written by a Zen priest in 1211, it proves that tea has long been recognized for its medicinal qualities. As easy as buying green tea at a nearby cafe, "walking the way of tea" is a step towards better health and is no longer restricted to the Chanuyo.

Reader Comments

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Jan	Oct 15, 2002	USA	Homemaker
Are there any known negative effects of tea, and if so, does it matter if the tea is green, black, or oolong?


Linda	Feb 20, 2003	Australia	accountant
Can too much tea cause constipation? If so why?


biodun	Jun 18, 2003	Lagos	Accountant
Tea, does has beneficial effect, what is the recommended dose to avoid being constipated.


Tony	Jan 11, 2004	New zealand	engineer
Does black tea cause constipation, if it does why and what is the safe limit


Aron	Feb 04, 2004	Durban	Graphic Designer
Does tea kill brain cells.


alice	Apr 14, 2004	rwanda	student
u only mention the benefits of all sorts of teas but wht are thier negative effects?


linda	Jun 01, 2004	new york	housewife and mother
Hello, I drink Green tea every day, about 2 or 3 times a day, can you please tell me if green tea can cause constipation after a while? I have had Bad constipation for over a month now and it is really ruining my life. Along with telling me if Green tea can cause it, can you tell me what is good to get rid of it? Thank you


yahyah	Mar 16, 2005
i drink alot of green tea and it has also cuased constipation for me and is very anoying but i am not going to stop driunking green tea and i wil not cut down on it so what a way to combat it is ever seccond or third day eat about 30+ prunes and a few glasses of water not do this at night and when ur not doing anything were u gota leave ur house within the next 4 - 5 hours


Janice Miller	May 11, 2005	Naches, Wa	Online store owner of pearls a
Green tea has a calming affect, but if more than two cups a day are consumed it may cause jitters or make an irregular heart beat even worse. Possibly because of the caffine. May lower the risk of cancer of the stomach, colon, skin, etc..


Jim	Jun 19, 2005
I have experienced odd smells and tastes as well as "hallucinations" from excessive drinking of tea. Has anyone else ever heard or experienced any similar effects?


Mandy	Jun 26, 2005	essington, PA	Med Asst
Can excessive drinking of oolong tea damage you in any way?


Ash	Aug 26, 2005
i have been drinking green tea for awhile, with no ill effects, but white tea seems to have a negative effect on my emotions: anger, sadness, etc, with no evident cause. the tea is the only thing i have changed in my diet. is it just me, or have there been studies to show this as well?

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