Tea is not a cure, but it has been enjoyed for centuries as a flavorful, refreshing beverage that happens to be part of a healthy lifestyle.

1. Tea is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants called polyphenols which can help prevent chronic diseases. Mayo Clinic researchers say a component of green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) destroys B-cell chronic lymphocylic leukemia cells by interrupting the communication signals they need to survive. Another study found that mice who had been genetically engineered to develop prostate cancer, and who drank about six cups of tea a day did not develop cancer tumors. Hasa Mukhtar, cancer research professor from the University of Wisconsin in Madison reiterates that the Chinese have the lowest prostate cancer rate in the world and drink the most tea.

2. The discovery of flavinoids and antioxidants in tea inhibit the formation of cancer cells (antimutagenic) and decrease the number of free radicals which can lead to atherosclerosis. Drinking tea daily may help protect the heart by relaxing the blood vessels, inhibiting blood clots, and improving blood-cholesterol levels. Polyphenols inhibit the angiotensin converting the enzyme that is known to cause hypertension. According to the Tea Council USA a combined analysis of 13 published studies found an average estimated 11 percent lower rate of heart attacks among study participants who drank three or more cups of tea per day. A study involving people diagnosed with coronary artery disease reported that subjects who drank four cups of black tea per day showed improved blood vessel function.

3. Dr. Jack F. Bukowski, assistant professor medicine at Harvard Medical School and staff rheumatologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that tea drinking (at least 6 cups a day) boosts your immune system through activating certain components of the immune system called gamma delta T-Lymphocytes, maintaining a heightened state of readiness against bacterial, viral, parasitic, osteoporotic, and neoplastic diseases.

4. Tea leaves have fluoride and hytoestrogens, which increase bone density and guard against osteroporosis and tooth decay. "Those who drink 3-5 cups a day have a higher bone mineral density, so they have less brittle bones than those who don't drink tea," says Dr. Bukowski. He also states this same element may be a factor in helping certain types of hearing loss, such as otosclerosis.