New research suggests tea might help those who drink it live longer than those who do not. Past studies in China and Japan, where green tea is popular, have suggested several health benefits. Now, scientists say black tea may show similar benefits.
Scientists from the United States National Cancer Institute carried out the study. They examined years of data gathered about the tea drinking behavior of almost 500,000 adults in Britain for as many as 14 years. Black tea is the most common kind of tea in Britain.
The study found that high tea intake — two or more cups a day — was linked to a moderate benefit: a 9 to 13 percent lower risk of death from any cause than non-tea drinkers.
The research was published in Annals of Internal Medicine. The scientists say the lowered risk of death held true for study subjects with heart disease. However, researchers said there was no clear finding in connection with deaths from cancer. Researchers were not sure why. “It is possible that there were too few confirmed cancer deaths to measure,” said Maki Inoue-Choi, who led the study.
Tea contains various elements, including polyphenols, which are thought to be responsible for the health benefits that have traditionally been linked to tea, especially green tea. Green tea is reported to improve mental ability, ease digestive problems and head pain, and help people with weight loss. Green tea has also been studied for possible protective effects against heart disease and cancer.
The study of British tea drinkers was based on observing people’s behaviors and health.
This kind of methodology cannot prove cause and effect.
“Observational studies like this always raise the question: Is there something else about tea drinkers that makes them healthier?” said Marion Nestle. She is a professor of food studies at New York University.
“The study does not offer enough evidence to advise people to change their tea behaviors,” said Inoue-Choi.
【小题1】How is the result of the study presented?| A．By analyzing cause and effect. | B．By giving definitions. |
| C．By listing numbers. | D．By presenting examples. |
| A．Fewer and fewer people are dying of cancer. |
| B．Drinking tea has no effect on cancer patients. |
| C．We can’t confirm the leading cause of cancer deaths. |
| D．Drinking tea can lessen the risk of death from heart disease. |
| A．This method has its limitations. | B．This is an easy and effective method. |
| C．They don’t need to be proved. | D．Behaviors and health are closely connected. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Objective. | C．Negative. | D．Indifferent. |
