British researchers have found that black tea serves as a stress reducer – actually reducing people’s perception of stress. The comfort beverage also decreases physical reactions to stress, such as an elevated blood platelet count (a risk factor for heart attack).
Participants in the study drank 4 cups of black tea daily for 6 weeks. Just 50 minutes after drinking the tea, their cortisol (Stress Hormone) levels dropped an average of 47 percent! A control group who drank a faux black tea beverage (containing the same amount of caffeine) saw a drop in cortisol of only 27 percent.
The study’s author, Andrew Steptoe, Ph.D., says that compounds like catechins, polyphenols, and flavonoids are responsible.
We recently tried a great Darjeeling Tea (variety of black tea grown especially in the northern part of India). It’s made by Twinings of London and can be found in just about any grocery store. It’s a very light, delicate tea and it’s perfect for winding down at the end of a day. Just like coffee gets the day going, Darjeeling Tea helps it glide into the evening.
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I recently read an article about that on ScienceDaily ( http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061004173749.htm ), well I have been drinking tea all my life and I am a very relaxed person, probably that’s why!