Healthy heart? Have a brew!

Research from the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) has revealed that people who enjoy a cuppa may be protecting themselves against heart disease.

Dr Carrie Ruxton, nutritionist and member of TAP, said tea is one of the best things a person can drink because it is hydrating, improves alertness and mood elevation and contains antioxidants to help the body in its fight against myocardial infections.

In the organisation's recent literary review, Dr Ruxton pointed out that the antioxidants present in tea are the same sort found in colourful fruits and vegetables, cocoa and red wine.

"The two key benefits from tea are hydration and antioxidants. The population of people that drink tea have less heart attacks - we know it's not just an association; it's an actual real relationship between tea antioxidants and health," she commented.

It was also found that the drink could help to improve bone density, which could cut the risk of osteoporosis.

Dr Ruxton added that people should aim to drink around four cups per day in order to provide optimum health benefits.

Heart disease is the biggest cause of death in the UK, with coronary heart disease killing one in three people.