Wednesday, October 04, 2006

I Prefer Earl Grey

Well, this is good news for those of us who love, love, love tea.

Reuters: Beat stress, drink tea ---

LONDON (Reuters) - Regular cups of tea can help speed recovery from stress, researchers from University College London (UCL) said on Wednesday.

Men who drank black tea four times a day for six weeks were found to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than a control group who drank a fake tea substitute, the researchers said in a study published in the journal Psychopharmacology.

The tea drinkers also reported a greater feeling of relaxation after performing tasks designed to raise stress levels.

Andrew Steptoe, of UCL's department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and one of the report's authors, said the findings could have important health implications.

"Slow recovery following acute stress has been associated with a greater risk of chronic illness such as coronary heart disease.

"Although it does not appear to reduce the actual levels of stress we experience, tea does seem to have a greater effect in bringing stress hormone levels back to normal."
Of course it does. I always find tea to be a comfort when I am stressed or upset or feeling ill.

My favorite is Earl Grey, but I love tea generally. I had some English Breakfast this morning.

What kinds do you like to drink? How do you take your tea?


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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Assam (preferably from Whittard of Chelsea) with a splash of milk, and just a tiny bit of sugar. Yumm.

Lady Jane said...

I bought some Assam recently, but I can't remember the brand. It was an English sort, but not Whittard, I don't think, and not Twinings. Yum! I should make some.

Anonymous said...

yummm.. I think I'll get my a spot of tea right now.

Anonymous said...

You should check your email (Hotmail account) for a surprise entitled "Enjoy."