Sip Your Way to a Longer Life: Can Tea Keep You Younger Longer?

Enjoying a warm beverage with your dessert? Researchers in Paris discovered that one particular drink may help prolong your life: tea. A seven-year study, involving over 130,000 people aged 18 to 95, found that tea drinkers were 24 percent less likely to die from non-cardiovascular related causes during the research than those who did not drink tea.

“If you have to choose between tea or coffee, it’s probably better to drink tea. Coffee and tea are important components of our way of life,” says researcher Nicolas Danchin. The study also indicated that coffee drinkers seemed to experience a higher heart disease risk than non-drinkers.

Tea Drinkers Have Healthier Habits

The tea drinkers in the study led much healthier lifestyles. Fewer of them smoked. Moreover, the researchers discovered that the more tea people drank, the more likely they were to exercise.

“Overall, we tend to have a higher risk profile for coffee drinkers and a lower risk profile for tea drinkers. We also found big differences in gender,” Danchin states. “Men tend to drink coffee much more than women, while women tend to drink more tea than men.”

According to Danchin, the natural chemicals in tea and the fact that tea drinkers engage in more physical activity help explain why tea drinkers in the research lived longer.

“Tea has antioxidants, which may provide survival benefits. Tea drinkers also have healthier lifestyles, so does tea drinking reflect a particular person’s profile, or is it tea, per se, that improves outcomes – for me, that remains an open question. Pending the answer to that question, I think that you could fairly recommend tea drinking rather than coffee drinking.”

The Benefits of Tea

Tea, especially green and black varieties, is known for its numerous health benefits. Some of these benefits include:

• Antioxidants – Tea contains high levels of antioxidants that help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can contribute to various health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and aging.

• Reduced Heart Disease Risk – Some studies have shown that regular consumption of tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease due to its ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

• Weight Loss – Some researchers have found that certain compounds in tea, particularly green tea, may help with weight loss by boosting metabolism and increasing fat burning.

• Improved Brain Health – Tea contains compounds that may boost brain function, improve focus and concentration, and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

• Reduced Stress and Relaxation – Drinking tea can help lower stress levels and promote relaxation, thanks to the presence of L-theanine, an amino acid found primarily in tea leaves.

Adding Tea to Your Daily Routine

To reap these potential health benefits, consider incorporating tea into your daily routine. Here are some tips for making it a habit:

• Replace your morning coffee – Swap your regular cup of coffee with a cup of tea, as it also contains some caffeine to help awaken you in the morning.

• Try different flavors – Experiment with new and different tea flavors to find the ones you enjoy the most. There is a vast array of options available, from fruity to spicy, mild to robust.

• Make it relaxing – Designate specific times during the day for tea breaks to relax and unwind while sipping on your favorite brew.

• Experiment with iced tea – Cold brew iced teas make for a refreshing drink during warm weather and can be a great alternative to sugary beverages.

Remember, drinking tea is only one small part of a healthy lifestyle. Combine it with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and other healthy habits to maximize its potential benefits.

In conclusion, the research findings seem to suggest that drinking tea may offer some longevity benefits and improve your overall health. While more studies are needed to confirm these findings, it’s worth considering incorporating tea into your daily routine to potentially reap these health benefits. Happy sipping!