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It's interesting how a lot of advice touted by the health food industry a few years ago and pooh-poohed by most medical experts has gone mainstream in the past decade.  Up through the eighties one was thought to be a "health food nut" for following a lot of the industry's recommendations.

One example is tea:  the Chinese believed in its health benefits for years.   Now, fortunately for our health and our taste buds, its use has become popular.   

Advises Cooking Light:

"Recent studies indicate that both black tea and green tea are rich in flavonoids -- naturally occurring antioxidant chemicals that are found in fruits and vegetables. A diet that's rich in flavonoids may help decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease by counteracting the effect of LDL (bad) cholesterol; animal studies have also found that black tea and green tea may help inhibit the growth of certain cancerous tumors."

Dr. Weil, a proponent of helping oneself, often mentions the health benefits of tea, both black and green.  For example, see Benefits of Tea.

Health Talk with Dr. Bob Martin quotes news about research that shows green tea to reduce arthritis, as well as having other health benefits:

". . . in a related Case Western Reserve University statement, Haqqi noted that "for many generations, in some parts of the world -- including India, China and Japan -- green tea has been considered to possess health-promoting potential by preventing many illnesses." Anecdotal evidence suggests that rates of rheumatoid arthritis in these countries may be much lower than those seen elsewhere."

The Alaska Science Forum published snippets from the same sources. 

Prevention Magazine's web page about tea states:  "Green tea brims with cancer fighters".

TeaLand (they sell - guess! - tea) has an interesting page, All About Tea.  Another company, Holy Mountain Trading Company, documents the link between green tea consumption and lowered risk of esophageal cancer.  The Salada Tea Company (naturally) recommends both green and black tea and cites some interesting research.  Lipton has a site, as does Bigelow.

Watkins quality home products offers organically grown green tea in three "Theratea" flavors:  Premium, Mint & Lemongrass and Vanilla.   Traditional high quality black teas are offered as English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Raspberry.  They also have a delicious spiced tea, "Chai", a blend of black and green teas and aromatic spices, packaged in an old fashioned tin.   Tea is also healthy for the skin;  aloe and green tea lotions, soaps and moisturizers are available.  Watkins products are sold through independent representatives or by phone and mail order.

Want more general information about green tea, its uses and its health benefits? Health 'N Energy has a page on the benefits of tea.

The Wellness Web has more information and history, and results of research about tea's cancer prevention qualities.  Even the military has gotten into the act with an article from the Armed Forces Press Service and a recipe for Iced Tea with Orange Juice and fresh Mint.

And who better to have a site all about tea than from Japan:  Dr. Itaro Oguni, Professor of Food Science at the University of Shizuoka, Hamamatsu College writes in About.com about Japanese Green Tea.

See a previous article, Green Tea is Red Hot for more links.

How to drink tea?   It's good hot or cold. Buy a beautiful or interesting tea pot, some fine china cups, and learn to brew it right for a delicious and relaxing hot treat.  Or for iced tea, try recipes for Lady Bird's Spiced Tea, Sneaky Kitchen's Spiced Tea, Orange-Mint Iced Tea or Honey Tea Cooler.

Looks like instead of reaching for a cup of coffee next time, you should brew a cuppa tea.  It'll do your body good!