Health experts say they have discovered a new anti-aging secret. Drinking three cups of tea a day can extend your life, according to a study from Sichuan University, published on The Lancet Regional Health website.
The researchers included 5,998 Britons aged 37 to 73, as well as 7,931 people in China aged 30 to 79, looking at their tea drinking habits.
They were asked whether they drank black, green or traditional Chinese tea, and how many cups they drank each day.
They calculated each participant's biological age by compiling their body fat percentage, cholesterol and blood pressure. The researchers were just "observers", but they were able to prove whether or not drinking tea slows down the aging process.
Tea drinkers showed slower signs of aging. Most of these people were men who followed a healthy diet, consumed alcohol and were less likely to experience anxiety and insomnia.
Drinking about three cups of tea a day can have a direct impact on this process. "Moderate tea consumption showed the strongest antiaging benefits among regular tea drinkers," the researchers said.
They believe that polyphenols, bioactive substances found in teas affect gut health and bacteria and play a role in regulating the immune system, metabolism and cognitive function.
"Studies show that drinking tea can protect against age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia and some cancers. "Tea consumption is also associated with a lower risk of mortality," they added.
The scientists did not study whether one specific type of tea was better against aging than another, although they did not find "substantial differences" between tea drinkers in China versus those in the UK. The temperature of the tea also made no difference. They did not ask people about the size of the cups of tea they consumed, as the effect was measurable and visible.
Now that you've learned the secret to slower aging, add a cup of tea to your daily routine!
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Source: New York Post
