Hot Tea 'may' give you cancer... ?

[rufeo]

unfortunately a lot of stuff that we do etc will increase our risks of cancer. just being alive and growing old is a very big cause. whether we live a 'safe' life or not, chances are if we live long enough we'll get cancer or something else wrong with us (although there's plenty of people out there perfectly fit at 80+ yrs).

i think its good for the press to highlight issues, but i am concerned at how they present their stories and at times it does seem to be scaremongering. but then again the more startling the news the more people will read it.

[Crevan]

Not many people have tea without milk anyway.

From my own experience, I'd say that it's mostly Brits who put milk in tea. I never saw a milk+tea combo in any of Eastern European countries, Germany or Austria (basically, everywhere I've been except Britain).

[Funkstar]

The middle east, Turkey, Egypt, and a whole lot of other places drink strong sweet tea. They either leave the teabag in the cup/glass or there is a spoonfull of loose tea sitting at the bottom.

It's actually quite nice. I got used to it quite quickly in Egypt.

[0iD]

Yeah, Egyptian tea is something else I love the stuff.
And in India, Chai is also a strong, milky (& aromatic) tea, and very yummy.

[emzallan]

From my own experience, I'd say that it's mostly Brits who put milk in tea. I never saw a milk+tea combo in any of Eastern European countries, Germany or Austria (basically, everywhere I've been except Britain).

I really meant Britain and the English speaking West, prob covering most people who are likely to read this post. Good point though.

[speedingbullet]

what about black coffee :|

I believe that black coffee has nothing to do with it since black coffee is full of anti oxidants which helps the body in a very unique way. And also helps fight signs of aging.

[Fraz]

if(slow_news_day)
{
   createCancerStory(getRandomFoodNoun());
}

[kalniel]

if(need to boost post count)
{
   doBumpOldTopic(getRandomThread());
}

[Clunk]

And also helps fight signs of aging.

Because I'm worth it.

[sybrows]

/where in gods name did i put my re-enforced tin foil armadillo hat

they will be telling us santa claus ain't real next ...

"sigh"

[SeriousSam]

Both Tea (Black, Green and Oolong) and Coffee both contain anti-oxidants, though in differing levels and forms. Current research is still focussed on proving that they have a positive effect by reducing the risk of cancer. As you can imagine it is not an easy thing to do considering the complexity of the human body and the number of factors impinging on the formation of cancer cells. This is further complicated by them also containing compounds that are considered carcinogenic. Most of which are from the "heat" processes in their manufacture.

As it stands grean tea is the healthiest, followed by black tea then finally coffee. However, that has a number of caveats, not least concerning the addition of milk to black tea. The addition of milk helps to bind the large amount of tanins present so they cannot act as vitamin and mineral absorbtion inhibitors. Drinking strong black tea is not generally a good idea, especially for women.

In terms of consumption then significantly more tea is consumed without milk than with, however this is begining to change with the adoption of some western customs across the middle and far east. The tea consumed this way is also brewed weak and served "warm" rather than hot and sometimes with the addition of a flavour e.g. a slice of lemon.

Going back to the point about Aluminium and tea then there is little data on its effect on Alzheimers and at this stage or a clear view on whether it has a causal link or is accumulated due to the condition. However, the putative theory is that the aluminium is bound tightly to large polymers so that its effective absorbtion is very low.

In any case the more pertitant health issue is the consumption of caffeine, which has far more deleterious effects. Thus moderation is key with the healthiest option still being green tea, followed by black tea then coffee.

As an aside its interesting to note that the positive effect of drinking red wine due to antioxidants is now being hotly disputed, so will be interesting to see if this then impinges into the consumtion of hot beverages such as these.

[wellswells]

In noway convinced. I know someone who has smoke for 60years of their life and seems as fit as a fiddle. One of my parents friends never smoked a cigerette in their life and got lung cancer in their 30s.

[Fraz]

In noway convinced. I know someone who has smoke for 60years of their life and seems as fit as a fiddle. One of my parents friends never smoked a cigerette in their life and got lung cancer in their 30s.

Statistical outliers...

Two statistically unlikely yet possible examples don't invalidate what is a very obvious correlation between smoking and likelihood of lung-cancer.

[wellswells]

Statistical outliers...

Two statistically unlikely yet possible examples don't invalidate what is a very obvious correlation between smoking and likelihood of lung-cancer.

Yes indeed. Sorry, that wasn't the point I was making.

My point was meant to say that you could decide never to smoke - to help prevent lung cancer. Which makes perfect sense. But, theres always that chance it could come bite you in the butt all the same.

I love tea. I'd never stop drinking tea because theres an outside chance it could increase the chances i'll get cancer. I could stop drinking tea, and still get cancer in 30 years time. I would then be totally gutted because i gave something up that i love

Smoking was a bad example. But I would much rather go through life doing/drinking things that I enjoy, instead of missing out on opportunities because of some medical study that tells me theres a chance it could do me some harm.

[Fraz]

Smoking was a bad example. But I would much rather go through life doing/drinking things that I enjoy, instead of missing out on opportunities because of some medical study that tells me theres a chance it could do me some harm.

Agreed. Better to live life to the full, within reason, than to live in constant fear and then get hit by a bus and miss all the good stuff.

Besides, this tea-cancer malarky is a load of balls. Life gives you cancer. It's just how much risk you're prepared to take. I don't consider - and nor should anyone - that drinking tea is a "risk". I've got better stuff to worry about.

[Funkstar]

Agreed. Better to live life to the full, within reason, than to live in constant fear and then get hit by a bus and miss all the good stuff.

A couple of years ago there was a report in the news about what clothes you should really wear in hot sunny weather. They were effectively recomending the full goth regalia or a Burka.

This was just to reduce you risk.

Now, walking about in shorts and t-shirts has a very definite health benefit. Nothing about risk or potential, you get a medically proven health benefit from exposing yourself to the sun (not like that SiM)

I don't like getting hot and sweaty (yes, that way is fine), so it's shorts and t-shirts for me!