Tea and Mental Health

Mental health is on the tip of everyone's tongue these days. And, if you're like me, you want to know what you can do to keep yourself mentally strong and healthy. In the East, tea consumption has long been associated with a healthy outlook and with appreciating life. Although anecdotal evidence stretches back thousands of years, it is only recently that scientists and mental health researchers have begun systematically studying how tea helps. What they have found may surprise and entice you!

We all want to be in tune with our worlds, our friends, our activities, and our lives. And everyone worries about declining mental abilities as we age. If we had a delicious drink that could help us in both areas, wouldn't we make that part of our lives, and fast? In June of 2008, researchers performed a study that included over 2500 Chinese participants, looking at their daily intake of tea. When they examined over time their cognitive abilities on a Mental Status Exam (in other words their ability to be sharp, focused, and aware of the world around them) they found that, "Independent of other risk factors, total tea intake was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment!" Further, they revealed that increasing tea intake "has a huge potential effect in promoting cognitive health and perhaps delaying the onset of dementia." The simple step of adding tea to our lives can boost and protect our mental functioning!  Sounds simple to me.

But, as we all know, being alert isn't the only key to mental health. Sometimes I'd rather not be aware of all the stressful responsibilities that seem to always head my way!

Here's where tea's one-two punch really takes care of you:
When we imagine drinking tea, we often think immediately of a peaceful afternoon, unwinding in a comfy chair, maybe in the sunroom or curled up on the couch. Well, scientists have recently uncovered why this association makes perfect sense. In 2006, researchers at University College London published an article in the medical journal Psychopharmacology that demonstrated tea's power to relax. They demonstrated that tea's unique compounds effected participants, who "were found to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood." When compared to participants who drank a fake-tea, caffeinated liquid, the tea drinkers' stress hormones were an average of 20% lower after being forced to undergo a strenuous, challenging task. Next time I need to unwind, I know what I'm reaching for!

So we now understand how effective tea can be in keeping us happy and astute! Who knew it could be right there in your cup?  And, with Talbott Teas, not only can you increase your mental health and cognitive abilities, as well as de-stress, it tastes really good too.  That's a win-win in my eyes.  

Enjoy the power and benefits of tea!
Dr. Steven Nakisher