For centuries, a cup of tea has provided comfort, refreshment and an excuse for a chat. And some types of tea may provide additional benefits. Nutritionist Sarah Schenker reviews a selection of cuppas thought to have health-giving properties.

For many people, there's nothing as reviving or comforting as a cup of tea. In typical British fashion, it would seem there's no problem that can't be overcome with a good old chat and a cuppa!

The British have been drinking tea for more than 300 years and it still accounts, on average, for 40 per cent of our daily fluid intake, according to the UK Tea Council.

 

What's in a cup of tea?

Tea is virtually fat and calorie free and actually has little nutritional value, although milk and sugar adds about 40kcal.

It contains a number of mild stimulants, including caffeine, which can increase alertness and help respiration by dilating the airways of the lungs. The average mug of tea provides about 60mg of caffeine (less than coffee, more than cola).

Tea contains high levels of bioflavonoids, including quercetin, which act as powerful antioxidants that help protect against heart disease, cancer and stroke.

The only negatives of tea are the presence of tannins, which can interfere with the absorption of iron, especially if tea is drunk with iron-rich foods.

 

Teas with a little bit extra...

In our more health-conscious modern society, antioxidant-rich green tea and caffeine-free fruit and herbal teas (or 'tisanes') are becoming increasingly popular alternatives to traditional black tea.

Green tea is believed to help protect against cancer, while certain herbal or fruit teas are thought to have health-giving properties, such as reducing anxiety, warding off colds or aiding digestion.

Below is a snap-shot of health and well-being properties associated with some of the growing range of teas and tisanes available on our supermarket shelves.

• Green tea originates from China and is made only from one type of leaf. It is rich in antioxidants and contains substances that may have specific anti-cancer properties. It has been purported to aid weight loss, but there is no scientific proof to back this claim. Green tea, like black tea, contains caffeine, but has a much milder flavour.
• Camomile tea may be used to ease indigestion, calm nerves and reduce anxiety. It may also aid sleep, but it is not recommended for pregnant women.
• Dandelion tea may be used as a diuretic to help the excretion of excess fluid from the body.
• Elderflower tea is thought to help alleviate the symptoms of mild flu, catarrh and sinusitis (blocked sinuses). It is also thought to be anti-inflammatory and increase perspiration. It may be helpful for chesty coughs and colds and to ease the symptoms of hayfever.
• Fennel tea may help digestion. It is thought to relieve nausea, bloating and an upset stomach. Fennel tea should be avoided by pregnant women, but may increase the flow of breast milk once the baby is born and, when taken by breastfeeding mothers, may help to relieve colic and wind in babies.
• Lemon and ginger tea may ease tension without causing drowsiness. It can also aid digestion and alleviate nausea. It can be soothing and may help feverish conditions such as mild flu.
• Peppermint tea is a good choice after a rich meal to aid digestion and relieve trapped wind. It may also help ease symptoms of nausea and travel sickness.
• Raspberry leaf tea is mildly astringent and can be used as a gargle for throat infections. If taken regularly through the last few months of pregnancy, it is said to reduce the length of labour pains and make delivery easier. However, it should be avoided during early pregnancy due to the risk of miscarriage.
• Rosehip tea is a good source of vitamin C and can be taken to help ward off colds and infections.

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