Which is your favorite?

Black Tea
Consumption of black tea reduces the risk of stroke. Foods high in
flavonoids such as black tea, help all aspects of the cardiovascular system
and reduce the production of LDL - the "bad" cholesterol that can lead to
stroke and heart attacks.

An American Heart Association study in New Orleans found that tea drinkers
have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. In this study, subjects drank
four cups of water or tea a day for four weeks. According to their findings,
black tea relaxes and expands arteries, thus increasing blood flow to the
heart. Arteries of a healthy person release the chemical called nitric oxide
causing the artery to dilate. People with coronary artery disease produce
less nitric oxide and thus their arteries do not dilate normally. The study
revealed tea reverses this abnormality while drinking water had no effect.

The high levels of antioxidants in black tea have been found to not only
improve artery function but also to lower the rates of cancers. They have
the ability to stop oxidation which damages DNA and turns normal cells into
cancer cells.

Tea can also help prevent tooth decay. It contains fluoride and works better
than the antibiotic tetracycline. Tea fights bacteria in the mouth that
causes gum disease and cavity causing bacteria.

Oolong
These teas fall in-between the Black and Green teas of the world. One
distinct difference is that during the final stage of processing, the leaves
are twisted giving them a larger, more stringy appearance than black teas.
As far as taste, it all depends how long the leaves are processed. Some
Oolongs are very close to black teas in their amber color and rich texture.
In contrast, if the fermenting or oxidization process is halted early on,
the flavors will be closer to a green tea in its pale infusion but not as
vegetal (grassy) as most greens. Some even say a light Oolong has a taste
that is more floral and fruity. But true tea lovers swear by the Oolongs of
the world; maybe in part because they have qualities of both the blacks and
the greens.

Many studies are being done regarding the health benefits of Oolongs. So
much has been discovered on the green teas over the decades because of its
high polyphenol and antioxidant properties, but studies have shown that
drinking green tea.. well has had one major downfall. Many people don't like
the grassy after taste of some green teas, so they won't drink it. But by
using a lighter Oolong (which doesn't have as high a content as green)
people will drink more of it, so in theory it all becomes a wash at the end
of the day.

One recent study is on weight loss and Oolong tea consumption. Many
Westerners are coffee drinkers and inheritably will be intaking too much
caffeine as a result. We all know the side effects and long term issues with
too much caffeine over the years. Tea has only ½ the caffeine as coffee,
even at its highest level. Oolongs are mid to low range levels (35-20mg) vs.
a cup of coffee which has 110-140mg of caffeine. And since it has no
calories or fats (unless you load up with sugar and milk) tea doesn't add
all that extra "stuff" that coffee drinkers tend to expect with their
coffees ("double - double").

So these guys seem to have the best of both worlds. Depending on the day (or
blend) they can act like a robust black tea or they can swing to the other
side of the spectrum and mellow out like an earthy green. Either way you
look at it, the Oolong is one of those team players that can play any
position and is hear to stay. Enjoy.

Green Tea
Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being
oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented
leaves, resulting in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are
not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green
tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Research also supports that
drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the
ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

Drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful for cancer, rheumatoid
arthritis, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, infection, and
impaired immune function.

Rooibos
This tea contains almost no oxalic acid, making it a good beverage for
people prone to kidney stones. Rooibos contains the following minerals:
copper, iron and potassium, calcium, fluoride, zinc, manganese, alpha-
hydroxy ( for healthy smooth skin ) and magnesium (for the nervous system).
In South Africa pregnant women and nursing mothers drink Rooibos because it
contains no caffeine.

This wonder tea is especially useful when applied to skin irritations like
itchy skin, eczema, sunburns, diaper rash and acne. It contains antioxidants
which help slow the aging process and boost the immune system. According to
studies conducted in South Africa and Japan, Rooibos has been shown to aid
in health problems such as insomnia, irritability, headaches, nervous
tension, and hypertension. Studies also show that this tea contains
anti-spasmodic agents, which can relieve stomach cramping and colic in
infants.

Rooibos tea contains no colors, additives or preservatives, making it a
natural beverage.


--
Love, Tina~

number of registered deaths, rate (/100000) and causes (WHO mortality
tables, year 2000)

USA: sex number rate
Malignant neoplasms.......M.......286082.......207.2
Malignant neoplasms.......F.......267009.......186.2

JAPAN
Malignant neoplasms.......M.......179140.......291.3
Malignant neoplasms.......F.......116344.......181.4

unsure of these, but, he
USA:
........8% drank green tea everyday.
........0.3 cups/day ( 60mL tea/day, American cup = 180mL)
JAPAN:
........65% drank green tea everyday. (1.5% drank black tea everyday,
6.5% oolong tea)
........3-4 cups/day (480mL tea/day, Japanese cup = 120mL)

T. L. Pope-Green > wrote:
>
>Rooibos tea contains no colors, additives or preservatives, making it a
>natural beverage.

It also contains no tea.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."