STUDY: Tea Reduces Stroke Risk

Drinking green or oolong tea consistently is linked to a significantly lower risk of Ischaemic stroke due to reduced blood flow to the brain.

Ischaemic stroke occurs when oxygen-delivering arteries in the brain become partially or completely blocked reducing the blood flow to the brain. Previous research has suggested that tea or its components might reduce high blood pressure and other risk factors.

To ascertain the relationship between drinking tea and risk of ischaemic stroke, researchers studied the tea drinking habits of 838 Chinese men and women, aged around 70 years. Information on frequency and duration of tea drinking, quantity of dried tea leaves, and types of tea consumed, together with habitual diet and lifestyle characteristics, was obtained from participants using a questionnaire.

A slice of brain from the autopsy of a person who suffered an acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke (Wikipedia)

Of all, 374 participants had a medically confirmed ischaemic stroke, and 464 (the "control" group) had no history of cardiovascular disease or medical conditions that raised their risk of stroke. The stroke group had a higher occurrence of elevated blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. The control group reported higher fruit and vegetable intake and a longer duration of tea drinking.

The researchers also took into account gender, body mass, level of education, lifelong physical activity, smoking, alcohol intake, the presence of high blood pressure, cholesterol level, diabetes, and diet.

Those who reported drinking at least one cup of tea per week for more than 30 years had a 60 percent lower risk of ischaemic stroke. Those who drank more than 2 cups of tea daily had about a 40 percent lower risk of such strokes. The risks were even lower in those who drank green or oolong tea, a traditional Chinese tea. Those who drank green or oolong tea had 72 and 79 percent lower risk for ischaemic stroke, respectively. Using more tea leaves was associated with a 73 percent reduced risk of stroke.

The above findings are consistent with previous research from Japan that drinking tea cuts stroke risk. However, further investigations are needed to ascertain whether tea consumption can enhance survival of stroke patients.

Tea Accessories

Tea Cozy -- Tea cozy is a protective cover that slips over a tea pot to keep it warm. Especially if you are living in a cold climate, a tea cozy is a must to enjoy a pot of warm tea over a lengthy period of time. Make sure the cozy is washable as it gets musty and dirty quickly if you brew tea on a daily basis. Check out this gorgeous collection of colorful tea cozies.

Tea Infuser – is a metal mesh or filter that allows tea leaves to steep inside hot water. It is used interchangeably with a Tea Ball or Tea Strainer. Sometimes the pot, carafe or the tea cup that comes with a built-in infuser is called a "tea infuser" as well. Tea infusers come in all shapes and sizes.

Tea Ball -- A tea ball is a mesh sphere to hold loose tea leaves inside a pot of hot water for steeping. Tea balls usually have a hinge on one side, a chain and a hook to attach them to the edge of the pot. Make sure your tea ball has enough room in it to allow for the expansion of the moist tea leaves. Tea balls need to be made of stainless steel to prevent any rusting.Here is a good collection of tea balls.

Tea Strainer – A strainer is a filter that filters out the tea leaves and allows only the brewed liquid into the cup. There are cup-sized strainers that you place on top of your cup as you pour tea over it. Some pots have built-in strainers that automatically filter the tea leaves. Here are a few varieties of tea strainers.

Tea Storage Tins – You need to keep your tea leaves away from heat, light, air and moisture to preserve their freshness. But did you know that, contrary to coffee, you do not need to keep your tea leaves in a refrigerator? Tea can be kept at room temperature for up to a year without loosing its flavor if you have the right storage device. A well-made tea storage tin will do the job. Tins come in all sizes and they're made of bamboo, bark, wood, metal, glass, or porcelain. Here is a classy way to store your precious tea leaves and bags.

Teapot Trivets – A trivet is a must to protect your table or desk from the hot tea pots or kettles. The best are made from cast iron, wood, or porcelain. A cast iron Japanese Trivet, for example, will last a lifetime with proper care. These beautiful tea trivets will save both your teapots and your kitchen and table surfaces.

Tea Cups – What good is it to have a pot of hot tea if you do not have a set of attractive cups to enjoy it with? There are many different kinds of tea cups used in different countries around the world. Some look similar to coffee mugs. Yet others have no handles at all and require a special skill to drink from without burning your lips (like the Turkish tea cup). Others are exquisite sculpted pieces made from the finest porcelain and are sought after by collectors. Your good tea deserves an exquisite tea cup.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony, "chakai" or "chaji" as its known in Japan, is one of the most elaborate ceremonies ever invented for sharing a beverage within a very formal and almost religious setting. It actually won’t be wrong to say that the Japanese tea ceremony is a lot more than just "sharing tea." It's a ceremony of spiritual purification and homage for a thousand-year old cultural tradition.

Tea ceremony is such a formalized affair that in Japan there are schools that teach how it should be performed without any errors. There are different ceremonies for summer and winter; for outdoors and indoors; and for the type of tea served. The ceremony requires a special location, special utensils, and a special set of rules even for entering and leaving the ceremony room, or whether to talk and what to say during the ceremony.

In its simplest description, a tea ceremony is one in which powdered green tea and hot water is whipped by a whisk and served to the guests in a unique bowl called "chawan."

Other special utensils used in the ceremony include "chakin" (a cloth used to clean the tea bowl); the tea caddy where the powdered green tea is kept; "chashaku" (the scoop used to transfer the tea from the caddy to the bowl); and "chasen" (the whisk used to whip the hot water and tea mixture into a froth). These utensil are sometimes collectible antiques and they are considered to carry such spiritual significance that there are strict rules even for touching and handling them.

During the less-elaborate chakai ceremony, snacks and sweets are served to the guests. The chaji ceremony, on the other hand, is accompanied by a full-course meal and may last up to four hours.

The traditional rule requires that the server wears a kimono even if it's a male. However, in modern day Japan, Western-style clothes are not that uncommon, especially in the chakai ceremonies.

There are people who spend a lifetime studying, learning and practicing (and teaching) the Japanese tea ceremony. It really elevates the sublime pleasure of drinking a cup of good hot tea to a different level all together.

Check out this Japanese Tea Ceremony utensil collection.

How to Enjoy a Cup of Tea and Wash Away the Stress of the Day…

I've been an avid tea drinker since I was a little kid. It was black tea that was mostly served at our home. A full-bodied robust variety with a lovely deep-red color.

As I grew up I was pleased to discover the world of the amazing green tea as well… the gentle oolong and the precious white tea… and the bewildering variety of herbal teas.

Hot tea is good. Iced tea's even better, isn’t it? It's a companion that won’t let you down.

Yet there's so much to learn about tea. There are so many tea varieties. What’s the best way to brew and enjoy them?

What are the facts about the claimed health benefits of drinking tea? Can one lose weight by drinking green tea, for example?

Then there's the tea hardware … Which tea maker should you buy? What are the features and benefits of different models?

You'll find the answers to all those questions and more right here in this web site.

If you have any tea-related comments or inquiries please let me know. I love tea just like you do.

I raise my cup to your health and happiness!