Drinking a cup of tea better than water

Scientists now say that drinking four cups of tea a day is better than drinking plain water. In research recently published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dr Carrie Ruxton said that tea not only rehydrates just as well as water but it can also offer protection against heart disease and cancer.

Previous studies have shown that drinking just three cups a day can cut heart attack risk by 11%, and that it can help prevent some forms of cancer including colorectal cancer. Other health benefits include a reduction in tooth decay and possibly greater bone strength.

Some studies suggest that caffeine in tea can help concentration and improve mood, and Dr Ruxton said there were no adverse effects from caffeine from 6-9 average cups a day.

Like fruit and vegetables, tea is a good natural source of flavonoids, a group of antioxidants that help prevent cell damage. Three cups of tea have eight times the antioxidant capacity of an apple.

And finally, Dr Ruxton said the powerful antioxidants in tea could inhibit the growth of bad bacteria in the gut.