7 health reasons to have a cup of tea

It's official - tea could save your life, so go put the kettle on..

It's official - tea could save your life.

Whether you're putting your feet up with a cup of tea, joining a collective round, or taking a break from your desk to brew up, there are much deeper benefits than the habitual feeling of curling your hands around a warm mug.

Research from China suggests that people who drink tea regularly have a 21% decreased risk of developing breast cancer.

Lucky for us really because the average Brit drinks three cups a day. After water, tea makes up 40% of the nation's fluid intake. Green and black tea contains polyphenol - the magic ingredient.

Women's health specialist and broadcaster Dr Catherine Hood says: "Polyphenols have been reported to have antioxidant activity and potential anti-tumour effect."

Besides the new study, there are loads of other health reasons for us all to give the humble cuppa plenty of time of day.

And since it's National Tea Day on April 21st, Dr Carrie Ruxton, from the Tea Advisory Panel, gives us the lowdown on why you should drink it.

1. Tea can help you think
A perfect excuse to get away from your desk to make one! Studies suggest drinking tea is related to better cognitive function, because polyphenols help blood flow to your brain.

Dr Ruxton says: "Researchers have looked at keeping your mental faculties for as long as possible as you get older, and they've found these faculties are better in tea drinkers and people with high polyphenol intakes."

2. Tea can keep the dentist away
A natural source of fluoride, tea provides a massive 70% of it in UK diets. Wowzers.

Fluoride helps prevent tooth enamel from breaking down, and so reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Tea is also naturally anti-bacterial, and less bacteria in the mouth means less tooth decay.

3. Tea is as good for your skin as water
It's common knowledge, but good hydration helps keep your skin healthy. But did you know that tea can be just as good for it as water?

In a study led by Dr Ruxton, some subjects drank up to six mugs of tea a day and others drank water. A cup of tea was found to be just as hydrating.

4. Black tea can help your heart...
Drinking a lot of black tea every day might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving blood vessel function, according to a Dutch study.

Dr Tim Bond, from TAP, says: "It confirms earlier studies showing the same effect and provides further evidence for the heart health benefits of black tea in amounts of at least three cups daily."

5. And your gut....
Polyphenols from tea are thought to have a beneficial effect on "good gut bacteria".

6. Even your blood
A 2013 Australian study found black tea could help stabilise blood pressure. Other research says tea could have an effect on blood sugar and lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.

7. Tea keeps your bones strong
Well, the milk in tea does. Four cups of tea with milk provide 21% of your daily calcium requirement.

And cue the tea break!