HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR FAVOURITE HERBAL TEA?

Herbal teas claim to do more than keep us hydrated — boosting immunity, detoxing the liver and even helping us sleep. but are these claims valid? We asked NHS dietitian Noor al refae to critique four of these ‘healthy’ teas. Then we gave them an overall score for taste, effectiveness and price.

TETLEY SUPER GREEN LEMON AND HONEY IMMUNE WITH VITAMIN C

£1.40 for 20 tea bags, from large supermarkets ONE cup supposedly provides 14.1mg of vitamin C, or 17.6 per cent of your recommended daily allowance (RDA); thought to top up the immune system.

EXPERT VERDICT: Vitamin C is well known for its important role in supporting and building a healthy immune system — and one cup of this contains a useful amount.

This offers an effortless way to get an important antioxidant, but it should not be a substitute for vitamin C-containing foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, as they provide other important vitamins, minerals and fibre, too.

TASTE: Like a very weak cup of honey and lemon-flavoured flu remedy. 5/5

CLIPPER ORGANIC SLEEP EASY INFUSION

£1.35 for 20 bags, large supermarkets and health food stores THIS tea contains a selection of herbal ingredients ( cinnamon, chamomile, rooibos and lemon balm) that apparently help to maintain healthy sleep.

Research is not conclusive on whether herbs improve sleep. Although drinking this might help you relax, you might need other methods to beat insomnia.

TASTE: Powerful cinnamon and citrus flavour. 2/5

STIR DAILY CULTURES BREAKFAST TEA WITH PROBIOTICS

£4.60£4 60 for 14 bags,bags sainsburys.co.uk EACH serving contains one billion friendly bacteria, including Ganeden BC30, said to be ten times more effective than some dairy cultures in yoghurt.

EXPERT VERDICT: Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that have been shown to have many positive effects on health, such as improving digestive symptoms for irritable bowel syndrome patients and strengthening the immune system.

This is a clever way to take probiotics and there is research to suggest Ganeden BC30 is useful. There are no reported downsides from taking this particular strain of probiotic, and it appears to be robust enough to withstand hot water and stomach acid and get to the gut.

TASTE: Like regular breakfast tea. 5/5

DR STUART’S LIVER DETOX

£2.35 for 15 bags, Holland & barrett THIS tea contains dandelion root, centaury herb and milk thistle, said to support liver function and help if you have overindulged.

EXPERT VERDICT: None of the ingredients in this tea has been scientifically proven to ‘detox’ a damaged liver.

If you want to look after your liver, keep your alcohol intake within recommended levels, maintain a healthy weight and eat well. A cup of this tea could help rehydrate after a heavy night — but water or milk would do, too.

TASTE: Minty and uplifting. 1/5