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Tea Trouble

Wouldn’t it be great if someone found the magic bullet to cure all health ills? For a while, some researchers were looking hopefully at tea. Initially, the health benefits thought to be attributable to tea were: Higher bone density among long-term tea drinkers; Improved blood vessel functioning in patients with coronary heart disease, leading to lower rates of cardiovascular disease, and protection against certain cancers. More recently, increasing weight loss has been added to the list.

The majority of the studies that have been done on tea focus on traditional (non-herbal) teas, mostly green and black. The hoped-for promising benefits were thought to come from the antioxidants (specifically flavonoids) found in tea. But most of the studies that have been conducted have been very disappointing. Few have found any statistically significant health benefits from tea consumption. (It should be noted that two different sources had a differing opinion on the effects on heart disease. One source interpreted the data to claim there were fewer deaths from cardiovascular disease during the study period amongst tea drinkers, while the other source stated death rates were no different between the tea drinkers and the non-tea drinkers. However, both concluded that the effect on cancers was disappointing, showing no decrease in cancer in either group.)

Be wary of marketing that makes claims about tea and its ability to perform “miracles” in your body, such as increasing weight loss. There simply is little scientific evidence for attributing a positive health effect from drinking tea, although food manufacturers would sure have you think differently! However, if you enjoy drinking tea, by all means, don’t stop. No harmful health effects from tea have been discovered from research studies.

Do herbal teas provide health benefits? Some reportedly do, based this is based primarily on anecdotal, not scientific evidence. Most are safe when consumed in moderate amounts. Problems only surface when they are used in excess, when used without other medical supervision to treat a medical condition, when an unsafe herb is used, when there is contamination of the product, or when a consumer mixes an unsafe blend.

Herbal teas that are unsafe and should be avoided include Lobelia, Wormwood, Sassafras, Comfrey, Coltsfoot, Mistletoe, and Pennyroyal. Comfrey tea has been implicated in liver disease and cancer in laboratory animals. Pregnant women should use caution regarding herbal teas even though some are called pregnancy teas. Some teas, like Senna, are fine in small amounts. But the same tea in large amounts can cause severe diarrhea. Indian and oriental teas appearing on the market have never been analyzed. Little is known about these teas.

Some herbal teas may have positive health effects. Chamomile does have chemicals that relax the stomach and intestines. If you are allergic to ragweed, asters, chrysanthemums or yarrow, avoid chamomile tea. Peppermint leaf tea may alleviate indigestion. Valerian root tea has a tranquilizing effect superior to some drugs.

For free written information on teas, District residents (Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) can call QVHD, 203.248.4528. Or you can request information online or through email, dculligan@qvhd.org

Quinnipiack Valley Health District
1151 Hartford Turnpike
North Haven, CT 06473

Phone. (203)248-4528
Fax. (203)248-6671
E-Mail. info@qvhd.org