The saying that "drinking tea can make you live longer" has been circulated among the people for a long time, and has even become the motivation for many people to insist on drinking tea.
From ancient times to the present, many long-lived elderly people have the habit of drinking tea, which seems to confirm this saying.
We need to examine it from a scientific perspective: Can drinking tea really make people live longer?
Today, we will uncover this mystery and bring you the most real answer with scientific evidence!
01. What does scientific research say?
In recent years, many research institutions and scientists at home and abroad have been actively exploring the relationship between tea and health and longevity, and have achieved many exciting results.
"Guardian" of cardiovascular health
Many studies have shown that long-term moderate tea drinking, especially green tea and black tea, is closely related to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Tea is rich in active ingredients such as tea polyphenols and catechins, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-lowering effects, and help improve vascular function, thereby reducing the incidence of heart disease and stroke.
For example, studies have found that people who have a long-term habit of drinking tea have a 20% lower risk of heart disease and stroke than those who do not drink tea, and a 22% lower risk of fatal heart disease and stroke.
Antioxidant and anti-aging "weapon"
The polyphenols in tea are powerful antioxidants that can remove harmful free radicals in the body and reduce the damage of oxidative stress to cells and DNA, which is considered to be one of the key mechanisms for delaying aging and preventing a variety of chronic diseases. Some animal experiments have also preliminarily proved the positive role of tea in delaying aging.
Reduce the risk of all-cause mortality
Even more encouraging is that some large-scale epidemiological studies have found that regular tea drinking is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. This means that drinking tea may not only prevent specific diseases, but also improve health levels overall, thereby prolonging life.
Potential benefits for specific diseases
In addition to the general benefits mentioned above, studies have also found that tea may have a potential preventive effect on certain specific diseases, such as diabetes and certain cancers (although research in this area is still ongoing and more evidence is needed).
02. The key to longevity lies in "how to drink"?
Although scientific evidence provides strong support for "drinking tea can prolong life", not all tea drinkers can achieve the same effect. Among them, the way and habit of drinking tea are crucial.
- Long-term persistence and regular drinking: Studies have shown that the health benefits of tea often require long-term and regular drinking to appear. Drinking a cup of tea occasionally may not have a significant effect, but if you can integrate tea drinking into your daily life and persevere, the effect will be more significant.
- Moderate amount is appropriate, not the more the better: Most studies recommend drinking 3-5 cups of tea a day (about 120-150 ml per cup) to obtain better health benefits. Excessive drinking may lead to excessive caffeine intake, causing insomnia, palpitations and other discomforts.
- Choose the right tea for you: Different teas such as green tea, black tea, and oolong tea have slightly different substances and effects. For example, green tea has a higher catechin content and strong antioxidant capacity; black tea is fermented and has less irritation to the stomach. Choose tea that suits your physique and preferences to better enjoy the benefits of tea.
- Pay attention to the brewing method: Scientific brewing methods can better release the beneficial ingredients in tea. For example, avoid brewing green tea with overheated water to avoid destroying its active substances; black tea is suitable for brewing with boiling water to fully display its aroma and taste.
03. Tea is not a "magic medicine", healthy life is the foundation
It should be emphasized that although tea has many benefits, it is not a "magic medicine" that can cure all diseases and prolong life.
Longevity is a complex and comprehensive result, which is affected by many factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, lifestyle, psychological state, and medical conditions.
Drinking tea is just one part of a healthy lifestyle. It can add points to our health, but it cannot replace other important factors such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and a good work and rest schedule.
So, can drinking tea really prolong your life?
The scientific answer is: Long-term, moderate, and regular tea drinking does help improve physical health, reduce the risk of various diseases, and thus may prolong life.
But more importantly, drinking tea is a healthy attitude towards life, which can help us find peace and balance in a fast-paced life.
Let us enjoy the beauty brought by tea and live a healthy and long-lived wonderful life together!
The above is only a personal opinion and is for reference only!