Tea polyphenols are chemical compounds such as flavonoids. Depending on how the tea is harvested, processed, brewed, polyphenol levels can vary. These chemical compounds are believed to be beneficial to human health. They are also the basis of many claims about the health benefits of tea.
As with many natural compounds that are beneficial to human health, it is difficult to isolate and study the effects of tea polyphenols on their own, and some researchers believe that their effects on the body may actually be the result of multiple compounds working together.
Benefits of tea polyphenols
Polyphenols are the most active antioxidants, which means that they can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, as well as a number of other health problems. The polyphenols found in tea have also been associated with a reduction in cancer, as they block the action of certain enzymes associated with cancer.
Because cancer is a complex disease and can be influenced by many environmental and genetic factors, scientists do not say that tea polyphenols definitely prevent cancer, although cancer rates seem to be lower in tea drinkers than non-drinkers, according to some studies.
Tea polyphenols also appear to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria while promoting beneficial bacteria in the gut. The Chinese tradition of drinking tea with food and after many meals may be related to this feature, as food can be a major source of bacterial infection if not handled well, drinking tea with food can reduce the risk of infection.
Relationship between tea polyphenols and tea flavor
The taste of tea also depends on tea polyphenols. Tannins, found in high concentration in black tea and in lower concentration in green tea and white tea, give the drink a dark color and a bitter, tangy taste. Other polyphenols can also change the color of the tea. They make it more reddish or brown depending on how it is processed. The subtle, distinctive flavor of a well-crafted tea is due in part to polyphenols.
Tea polyphenols in other plants
The chemicals present in tea can also be found in other plants. Tea polyphenols, in other words, are not limited to tea, and are actually found in most plants. Grapes are another great source of these chemicals, and colorful fruits and vegetables also contain polyphenols. A diet rich in plant foods provides a number of health benefits, including the benefits of polyphenols.
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