Tea Flavonoids Fight Free Radicals

Published in the Journal of Nutrition, a recent intervention study found that smokers who drank four cups of decaffeinated green tea per day had a 31 percent decrease in measures of free radical damage to DNA in white blood cells as compared to those who drank four cups of water (67). In addition, two population studies in Asia evaluated the effects of tea drinking on cell DNA damage caused by free radicals from smoking. In both studies, DNA damage was found to be significantly lower in study participants who drank black or green tea compared to those who did not drink tea (6, 7). Further evidence from preliminary research in people conducted in both China and the US showed that drinking green tea significantly reduced free radical damage in both smokers and non-smokers (8). These studies demonstrate that antioxidants in tea help reduce free radical damage to DNA in smokers consuming 3-6 cups of tea per day, supporting the conclusion that tea flavonoids are effective dietary antioxidants.

*While tea is a naturally rich source of antioxidants, it is not a substitute for fruits or vegetables which provide a wide range of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals. Please consult your doctor regarding a diet/nutritional plan that is right for you.