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> Is Milk in Tea Good for You?
By sedron | November 12, 2007
Adding milk to a cup of tea can destroy its ability to protect against heart disease, according to research.
A small German study found drinking black tea significantly improved the ability of arteries to relax and expand to keep blood pressure healthy.
But the European Heart Journal paper also found proteins in milk, called caseins, blocked this effect.
It is estimated as many as 98% of UK tea-drinkers prefer milk in their favourite cuppa.
The researchers tested the effects of tea in 16 humans and on rat tissue.
They showed molecules in the tea called catechins helped dilate the blood vessels by producing a chemical called nitric oxide. The caseins in milk prevented this effect by reducing the concentration of catechins in the tea.
Read more on: bbc.co.uk
Caseins in milk reduces the vasodilatory effect of catchins in tea by decreasing the concentration of catechins in the tea. This statement just sounds very weird, don’t you agree? If you add more water to the tea, the concentration of catchins is also reduced. Maybe casein acts as a chelating agent that binds to catchin, thereby reducing catchin’s availability.
Anyway, taking regular exercise, eating healthy balanced diet, and avoiding smoking are better ways to protect your health.
Topics: Medicine, Health & Well Being |