Cupán tae a day could help reduce risk of glaucoma

JUST a single cup of hot tea a day could slash the risk of suffering glaucoma.

Researchers said those who drink at least one cuppa daily were 74% less likely to be diagnosed with the serious eye condition.

Glaucoma, caused by fluid pressure building up in the eye, affects about on ein every 50 people over the age of 40 here and is a leading cause of blindness.

Academics at the University of California believe the antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory chemicals in tea could help combat it. They questioned 10,000 people about their diet and health as well as carrying out full eye tests on 1,678 of them.

Professor Chris Hammond, of King’s College London, said: ‘These results are interesting and add to the increasing consensus that tea contains antioxidants and other compounds good for health.’

However, he said further long-term studies were needed.

Dietitian Catherine Collins said: ‘Tea is healthy, rich in flavonoids.’

She added that it was the temperature of the tea which appeared to be important.

The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, said coffee, iced tea and soft drinks did not seem to affect the risk of glaucoma.

The findings add to growing evidence about the benefits of tea, which has also been linked to a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.