The Study Calls People Who Drink Two Teas A Day To Have A Lower Risk Of Death

Illustration of tea. (Unsplash/Manki Kim)

JAKARTA - Tea can often be said to be able to cure all diseases. Now, a study shows that the world's favorite hot drink can be associated with a lower risk of death.

People in the UK who consumed two or more cups of black tea per day were found to have a significantly lower risk of death compared to those that were not tea okay, the researchers said.

They found the person who consumed the drink appeared to have a favorable effect on death, regardless of whether participants also consumed coffee.

The effect persists even if sugar is added, although added milk is associated with a higher risk of death, the study said.

"Previous research has shown simple reverse relationships for drinking tea and death, most of which have been seen in the population where drinking green tea is common, such as in China and Japan," wrote the study's author, published in 'Annals of Internal Medicine'. August 30.

"In contrast, research published in the population where drinking black tea is more common is limited, with inconsistent findings," he continued.

To address the gap, the author investigated the relationship of tea consumption with death in the UK, where black tea consumption is commonplace.

They checked databases containing health records of about half a million people in the UK, which were collected over a four-year period between 2006 and 2010.

In total, 85 percent of the people involved in the study said they were teactions, and among them, 89 percent said they drank black tea.

Nearly a third, 29 percent, said they drank two to three cups a day, about a quarter said they drank four to five cups and 12 percent said they drank six to seven cups.

Among those filling out surveys on how they drink tea, 74 percent and 13 percent tea attending reported adding milk and sugar.

"Compared to the non-teawling, participants who reported drinking two cups or more each day had a 9 to 12 percent lower risk of death," the study said.

"Drinking tea has a favorable effect on death, regardless of whether participants also drink coffee."

"Higher tea consumption is associated with lower risk of death regardless of whether sugar is added."

The addition of milk, however, is more complicated, increasing the risk.

"We saw doses, reverse relations responses between tea consumption and all the cause of death, among those reporting adding milk to their tea but not among those who were not."

"No connection is visible above four to five cups per day among those who don't add milk, but their sample size is limited."

Researchers say research findings suggest that drinking tea can be attributed to "a slightly lower death, in a population where drinking black tea is commonplace".

"This study cannot definitively prove, drinking tea directly reduces the risk of death during the follow-up period. However, these findings provide certainty for tea watchers, suggesting black tea can be part of a healthy diet."

The tea is the most consumed drink in the world, after the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported.

In the UK, which ranks third globally for tea consumption after Turkey and Ireland, about 100 million cups are drunk daily.

Meanwhile, black tea, made from synensis Camellia shrub leaves, has a stronger taste and contains more caffeine than other teas, but is still less than coffee. It is also the most popular tea in the world.

Antioxidants and their compounds can help reduce inflammation and blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol, improve gut and heart health.

Previous studies have found it is related to a reduced risk of stroke and dementia.

Researchers believe its efficacy can also help lower blood sugar after eating or snacking, and reduce the risk of cancer.

It is estimated that the antigen contained in tea can increase the immune response, helping protect against disease.

However, research has also linked the consumption of tea and coffee to an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

It is believed that hot drinks can damage the lining of the rectum, causing cells to continue to regenerate, creating greater chance of error that can turn cells into cancer.