Black tea helps smokers: latest research

A day-long conference titled ‘Health and Longevity Through Chai: The Wonder Beverage’ held recently revealed that added to the many other benefits of tea, it also helps reduce the effects smoking has on the lungs as also prevent diseases that have shown a definite higher probability in smokers like emphysema.

Researcher Amar Misra of the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan revealed a study conducted on patients who had suffered a stroke and said that ‘those who consumed five or more cups of tea daily were at a much lesser risk of suffering another attack.’

the conference was attended by scientists from around the world, who have been doing extensive research on tea and its medicinal properties. It was organised by the International Life Sciences Institute-India (ILSI-India) and supported by the Tea Board, the National Institute of Nutrition and the National Tea Research Foundation.

Presenting his paper Prof. Koustubh Panda, head of the Bio-Technology department, Kolkata University, said that black tea can be a preventive measure for smokers who are at the risk of contracting emphysema, the fourth major killer disease around the world.

“Ninety percent of emphysema victims are cigarette smokers. The antioxidants in black tea prevent cigarette smoke induced oxidants of lung protein and thereby protects against emphysema,” he said adding, “It can act as a saviour for those who lack the willpower to kick the butt.”