Researchers at London’s University College say drinking black tea will help alleviate stress faster because levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, lower rapidly when drinking it.
For the study, the researchers observed 75 volunteer participants. The subjects were all non-smoking, regular tea-drinking men. For six weeks one group was given 4 cups of black tea per day while the other was given a placebo that tasted, smelled and appeared the same. Both groups had to refrain from drinking other teas, coffees, and herbal/caffeinated beverages during the trial period.
The men were all exposed to stressful tasks while the researchers monitored their cortisol levels, blood pressure, blood platelet levels, and how they subjectively rated their stress levels.
The researchers found that both groups of men experienced similar increases in heart rate and blood pressure during the stress-inducing situations. Levels of cortisol 50 minutes after each stressful task dropped 47% among the black tea drinkers and just 27% among the placebo drinkers. The subjects who drank black tea also had lower levels of blood platelet activation, and expressed themselves in a more relaxed way 50 minutes after a stressful task, as compared to the placebo group.
Despite the findings, it remains unclear what ingredients in the black tea work to relieve stress. The scientists noted that black tea does not lower stress levels while the stressful event is taking place. Instead, it helps the drinker get over it more quickly.
© Copyright 2007 Insight Journal Online Magazine.
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