Tea Facts

1. Did you know that tea contains flavonoid antioxidants, which may help to protect our body by reinforcing the natural defences against the harmful effects of free radicals. (sourced Cao, G. H et al. J Agric. Food Chem. 1996: 44, 3426-3431)
2. It reveals that tea, consumed regularly throughout the day, can help maintain alertness, focus attention and accuracy, and soften the more acute negative effects of higher doses of caffeine. (from Janet Bryant theanine review PR release, 2008)
3. In Australia, 22 million cups of tea are consumed every day which equals 44 tonnes each day and 16,060 tonnes each year. ('Tea and Health', Tea Industry Forum, Date not supplied)
4. Tea can provide an important source of fluids, and can contribute to the body's hydration levels (source Foodworks Professional, version 302581. Xyns software (Australia) Pty Lt. Brisbane 2004 (using Ausnut database))
5. Putting the kettle on and having a cup of tea at moments of stress is less of an old wives tale than previously thought. A study by UCL (University College London) and Unilever found that people who drank tea were able to manage their stressors more quickly than those who drank a fake tea substitute. (The effects of tea on psychophysiological stress responsivity and post-stress recovery: a randomised double-blind trial' is published online in the journal Psychopharmacology. Journalists can obtain copies of the paper by contacting the UCL Media Relations Office or accessing online at SpringerLink. The study was funded by Unilever and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)
6. 80% of all cups of tea are brewed from tea-bags vs. loose tea leaves (sourced from tea.org.au)
7. In Australia, 83% of households use tea-bags with 600 tea-bags, per household used every year (sourced from tea.org.au)
8. 68% of people add milk to their tea, but only 38% take sugar in tea sourced from tea.org.au)
9. Scientific research shows that drinking three cups of tea per day may decrease the risk of heart attack by 11% (source Duffy SJ et al. Circulation 2001; 104-151-156)
10. Tea when served without milk or sugar contains virtually no kilojoules
11. Green tea may help with weight loss/fat metabolism (source Unilever – Lipton 'Tea can do that?' 2006)
12. Happy smile – tea can provide a significant source of fluoride in the diet (source Unilever – Lipton 'Tea can do that?' 2006)
13. Did you know that tea is from the Camellia Sinensis plant?
14. After water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. Tea accounts for 18% of everything we drink in Australia.
15. Tea plants can last for up to 100 years, producing a healthy crop for 60 – 80 years.
16. Tea leaves are plucked from the top of the plant, typically by hand, or sometimes with hand held shears.
17. The theanine in tea stimulates alpha brain waves, and that is what makes you feel relaxed and alert, naturally.
18. Have you ever felt that you think more clearly after a cup of tea? Scientists may have found a reason, theanine. It's completely natural and found almost exclusively in the humble tea leaf, so it's in every cup of Lipton Quality Tea.
19. Did you know that scientists recommend 8 cups of tea per day (sourced from an internal nutrition presentation/induction presentation)
20. Did you know that Thomas Lipton opened his first shop at Stobcross St, Glasgow UK (source from Unilever global 'history of Unilever and Tea' document)