Good news keeps on coming for tea drinkers: a new study published in the British Medical Journal finds that con- sumption of black tea is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
A team of international researchers analysed stats from 50 countries participating in the World Health Survey. They found that countries with high consumption of black tea were associated with a low prevalence of diabetes.
The news is a coup for black tea, since green is usually the superhero. Green tea is packed with anti-oxidants called catechins, which re- search suggests may lower the
risk of heart disease, several kinds of cancer, and even allergies.
But black tea—which is made of fermented tea leaves—is more complex, the study says. Instead of catechins, black tea contains anti-oxidants called theaflavins and thearubigins which may relieve cold congestion and even reduce blood lipids.
While the exact link between black tea and diabetes prevention is not known, you sure can brew some good health for you and the family. But skip the milk, studies show that even a dash of milk negates benefits from anti-oxidants. —Mandy Oaklander
