The tea polyphenols

Its advantage? Its very rich in antioxidants, present in the form of polyphenols. Green tea is recognized as the most interesting in this regard. In fact, black tea, which comes from the same plant, however, contains fewer antioxidants as it has undergone oxidation during a fermentation process.

Green tea sencha (Japanese) is all that which contains the most antioxidants. One cup provides 300 to 400 mg of polyphenols. But the tea also provides vitamin C (250mg per 100g dry weight), as well as vitamins B1, B2 and B6. The antioxidant activity would rise within two to three hours after eating a cup of tea.

Water must not be more than 80 ° C (boiling water), because it distorts beyond antioxidants. It is also known that the polyphenols in tea bind with iron from the diet (especially meat) and the block in the intestine, which prevents the iron from being absorbed. To avoid this, it is advisable to stay within reasonable limits of consumption, drinking tea, preferably between meals and add milk or lemon.

The oxidative phenomena and therefore the need for antioxidants have been associated with many diseases: chronic diseases (cancer, AIDS, diabetes …), cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s), inflammation and aging in general.

What are the scientific arguments?

Some epidemiological studies show that in populations at risk for lung cancer, stomach or esophagus, the drinkers are less affected. For example in China, the incidence of stomach cancer is reduced by 31%.The rates of myocardial infarction and stroke are lower in populations consuming tea. Studies in animals also suggest that modulation of blood pressure, but this remains to be confirmed in humans, with a reasonable consumption of tea. Even in animals, antitumor and anticancer properties have been identified and analysis of the mode of action of tea compounds are encouraging. Tea also contains phytoestrogens, which may explain a lower prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Asia. There is a higher bone density by about 5% on average with a cup of tea a day, which would correspond to a reduction from 10 to 15% risk of fractures. And finally, one last avenue to explore: a study shows anticariogenic effects of tea, which suggests that drinking tea reduce the occurrence and severity of caries.