Study: Tea drinkers enjoy possible health benefits
A cup of tea just got a bit more relaxing.
Tea can be part of a healthy diet and people who drink tea may even be a little more likely to live longer than those who don’t, according to a large study.
Tea contains helpful substances known to reduce inflammation. Past studies in China and Japan, where green tea is popular, suggested health benefits. The new study extends the good news to the U.K.’s favorite drink: black tea.
Scientists from the U.S. National Cancer Institute used a large database project that asked about the tea habits of nearly a half million adults in the United Kingdom, then followed them for up to 14 years. They adjusted for risk factors such as health, socioeconomics, smoking, alcohol intake, diet, age, race and gender.
Higher tea intake – two or more cups daily – was linked to a modest benefit: a 9% to 13% lower risk of death from any cause vs. non-tea drinkers. Tea temperature, or adding milk or sugar, didn’t change the results.
The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, found the association held up for heart disease deaths, but there was no clear trend for cancer deaths. Researchers weren’t sure why, but it’s possible there weren’t enough cancer deaths for any effect to show up, said Maki Inoue-Choi, who led the study.
A study like this, based on observing people’s habits and health, can’t prove cause and effect.
“Observational studies like this always raise the question: Is there something else about tea drinkers that makes them healthier?” said Marion Nestle, a professor of food studies at New York University. “I like tea. It’s great to drink. But a cautious interpretation seems like a good idea.”
There’s not enough evidence to advise changing tea habits, said Inoue-Choi. “If you drink one cup a day already, I think that is good,” she said. “And please enjoy your cup of tea.”
Symptoms include significant morning heel pain and stiffness, pain during or after sports activity and walking difficulty after periods of inactivity. Due to the poor micro circulation of the plantarfascia attachment, these conditions may be slow to heal.
There are many ways to treat this condition. I would suggest not walking barefoot and wear comfortable shoes. Anti-inflammatory medications can help. Physical therapy and stretching can also be effective.
Cortisone or PRP injections can be effective for patients whose symptoms don’t improve with these more conservative measures. I recommend you see an orthopedic surgeon or foot specialist to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment.
Dr. Harlan Selesnick is team physician of the Miami Heat and director of Miami Sports Medicine Fellowship, Doctors Hospital. Send your questions to HarlanS@baptisthealth.net