Men's Health Week - time for a cup of tea!

And with Men's Health week now upon us, too many of you are still couch potatoes and do not exercise enough!

So guess what Tea News's suggestion is for men to improve their health?  That's right - drink more tea!

All types of tea can be beneficial for men.  Tea is rehydrating, and the ideal drink for replacing lost fluid after exercise.  Tea also contains chemicals that protect against heart  disease, cancer and obesity.

And the best news is that you don't need to change a thing.  All types of tea are beneficial.  Best of all is to drink a range of different tea types, but if black tea with milk is your thing, then that's just fine.

So here goes - our guide to...

7 reasons for men to drink tea

1.  Anti Cancer

Numerous studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of antioxidant polyphenols.  All types of tea - black, green, white and oolong - contain polyphenols.  Some studies have suggested that drinking 4 to 6 cups of tea a day provides enough polyphenols to reduce the risk of gastric, oesophageal and skin cancers.

2.  Healthy Heart

Studies from around the world show that tea may also help towards maintaining a healthy heart.

In Holland, 806 men who consumed the largest amount of catechins (a type of flavonoid) were 51% less likely to die of heart disease during the 10-year study period than men who consumed the smallest amount.

More studies are currently underway, exploring how tea can strengthen your heart. The results from trials so far show that flavonoids may prevent the oxidation of the so-called bad cholesterol in the blood that leads to the build up of plaque in artery walls, as well as helping to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

Tea News has already covered green tea and some of its anti-cancer properties and its abilities to combat heart disease – specifically an Australian study that showed it could reduce stroke risks by up to 60%.

3.  EGCG

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).  (But don't forget that all tea contains EGCG - it's just that most scientific studies to date have focussed on Green Tea.)

EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots.

4.  Burn Calories Faster and Shed Excess Weight

Green tea can help you get rid of that beer belly.  In November 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland.

Men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.  So it's true, or at least there is increasing evidence that it is.  Exercise plus (green) tea = faster weight loss.

5.  Strengthen Teeth with Natural Fluoride

Tea is also a great natural source of fluoride, which is added to water and toothpaste because it can actually strengthen tooth enamel. All tea types contain fluoride.  They also appear to help control the bacterial growth that results in dental plaque, and hence to keep the breath fresh.

6.  Better Sex Life

Men + good health + tea = an active sex life.

7.  Take a break from your work and de-stress.

The best benefit of tea?  It forces you to take a few minutes out of your day's work and relax while you sip your drink.  Don't underestimate the value of this.  One thing that men tend to be bad at is stopping before they get too tired.  A few minutes break several times during your day will make all the difference, whether your work is physical or mental.   Both your brain and your muscles need to rest from time to time, and you will get more work done in the long run if you give them that time off.  And when you return to work you'll be surprised at how many problems your subconscious mind has solved for you while you've apparently not been thinking about them!

Drink tea, live healthier

The bottom line is that tea is a healthy beverage offering many health benefits. Brew your favourite tea (black, green, whatever) for three to five minutes to bring out the beneficial polyphenols and of course the delicious flavour... then enjoy.