Bottled Teas Don Offer Same Benefits as Home Brewed

Bottled beverage marketers and manufacturers have been cashing in on the news that tea is beneficial to our health.  Seemingly, every supermarket, convenience store, and gas station has dedicated a section of their beverage cooler to this libation. 

Consumers, quick to take advantage of any "health food" drink that can be downed on the run, have helped to create a multi-billion dollar industry.  Tea sales have quadrupled since 1990 and now total about $7 billion annually.

While fresh-brewed tea is indeed full of polyphenols, the antioxidants linked to anti-cancer, anti-inflamatory, and anti-diabetic properties, many bottled teas do not contain enough of this nutritional element to be truly beneficial. Additionally, many bottled teas contain sugar, which further negates their health benefits.

In an article by Food Quality News, a study compared six bottled teas. There were "significant differences in the amount of antioxidants present. Per 16-ounce bottles, the researcher said the teas contained 81, 43, 40, 13, 4 and 3 milligrams (mg) of polyphenols. Meanwhile, an average cup of green or black tea contains between 50 and 150 mg."

Essentially, while bottled tea is a better choice than a bottled "energy drink" or cola, those seeking true health benefits from their tea should stick with fresh brewed.

For more information on the health promoting benefits of tea, visit http://www.fitfoodista.com.

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