Unlike coffee and soft drinks, tea is positively impacting us through better health and increased vitality.

Not only is tea soothing and delicious, but it is healthy too. Here are some benefits derived from the increase in consumption of teas:

• The antioxidants in tea help prevent cancers of the mouth, stomach, pancreas, lungs, esophagus, colon, breast and prostate.
• The antioxidants in a single cup of tea equal those in one serving of vegetables.
• Scientific information from the USDA points out that drinking one cup of tea could make a significant contribution to daily antioxidant intake, equivalent to approximately one serving of vegetables.
• Polyphenols, chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria"s production of malodorous compounds.
• Studies have shown that black tea suppresses the growth of bacteria in dental plaque and that rinsing with black tea reduces plaque formation and the production of acids that cause tooth decay.
• In an experiment, people who drank five to six small cups of black tea daily for two weeks were better able to fight off bacterial infections, report the researchers in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
• EGCG is one of the most abundant and biologically active antioxidants found in tea. It is believed to be responsible for tea"s beneficial health effects. The compound is found in higher concentrations in green tea, the least processed of teas, than in black and oolong varieties.
• Eating well Magazine named tea "Beverage of the Year" for its health benefits and mass appeal to consumers searching for an alternative to soft drinks and coffee.

Did you know?

Tea:
- Contains one-third the caffeine of coffee and cola
- Helps reduce fatigue and maintains mental alertness - Stabilizes fluid levels
- Is fat free and calorie free
- Flavanoids in tea help prevent heart disease by reducing blood clotting, lowering blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol

With ever-increasing scientific evidence about the health benefits of tea, this humble beverage is destined to become the elixir of the future.