London - Green tea may seem healthy, virtuous and exotic, but an ordinary cuppa is just as good for you, researchers claim.
According to a report, buying expensive green tea for its health-boosting properties may be a waste of money.
The study says a mug of bog-standard black tea with a splash of milk is just as good for both your heart and circulation.
The claim comes in a review of the health properties of green and black tea commissioned by the industry’s Tea Advisory Panel.
Dr Carrie Ruxton, a freelance dietician, said that just like the green variety, black tea has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, diabetes and tooth decay.
“Studies that have looked at both types of tea have confirmed similar improvements in vascular function when black or green teas are drunk, leading to significant reductions in stroke risk,” she said.
Her paper, published in the journal Network Health Dieticians, concludes that black and green tea, which both come from the plant camellia sinensis and contain similar compounds, offer the same health benefits.
In 2001, a review of 17 studies concluded that the risk of heart attacks was 11 percent lower, on average, when people drank three cups of black tea each day.
Dr Catherine Hood from the Tea Advisory Panel said:”Black tea continues to demonstrate a whole host of health-giving properties. Black tea is the new green for those in the know.” - Daily Mail