Caffeine Controversy Continues . . . But new study on the health benefits from tea says decaf tea lags behind in flavonoid benefits
While the media pendulum continues to swing back and forth on the issue of caffeine, you might to wait before completely eliminating caffeinated beverages.
A new study indicates that the health benefits from tea, especially drinking caffeinated tea may be significantly greater than with decaffeinated varieties.
Researchers at Harvard University studied the health-giving flavonoid content of caffeinated and decaffeinated black and green tea blends, and what they found was surprising.
Caffeinated green tea contains 139 mg of flavonoid per 100 grams, compared to 70 for the decaf tea. For black tea, the results from were 118 to a measly 58.
Flavonoids are the active compounds in your cup of tea, they are very beneficial for your health. Flavonoids are known to be:
-
• Antimicrobial
• Anticarcinogenic
• Antioxidative
Apparently, the processes used to remove caffeine from tea also deplete flavonoid content. However, if you really want to avoid caffeine, you might consider drinking a cup or two more of your favorite decaf tea to make up for the reduced percentage of flavonoids.
