Is green tea better for you than breakfast tea?

Studies have shown health benefits for both teas, from reduced blood cholesterol to lower rates of cardiovascular disease, but which tea has the edge?


Asked by: Lorraine Croft, Leicester

All tea contains antioxidant compounds called catechins. Black involves oxidising the leaves more so than green, and so black tea is slightly less antioxidant.

Studies have shown health benefits for both kinds of tea, including reduced blood cholesterol and lower rates of cardiovascular disease, but green tea seems to have the edge. This may be partly because it’s drunk without milk. Black tea with milk has no cardiovascular benefit, according to a 2006 study at Berlin University. In addition, a 2012 study in China found that green tea also repairs age-related damage to brain cells.

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