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Milk Blocks Health Benefits of Tea |
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Green, white, and even black teas have reached superfood status in recent years. Their risk reducing powers against heart disease, stroke, and cancer appear definitive. However, a new study out of the University of Berlin in Mitte found that the beneficial effects of tea against cardiovascular disease were completely prevented when milk was added to the brew.
Drinking tea significantly improves blood flow and the ability of the arteries to relax, but the addition of milk blocked this biological effect. The culprit is believed to be casein, one of the primary proteins in cow’s milk. The study did not address the addition of milk alternatives that do not contain these proteins, such as rice milk. Researchers are now concerned that milk may also block the anti-tumor effects of tea. Further studies on the relationship of milk, tea, and cancer may be on the horizon. For the full story from Reuter’s, read “Milk cancels health benefit of drinking tea: study.” For the actual published study, check out the review from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Black tea – helpful or harmful?”
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