Coffee and soda drinkers may want to take heed of this report on oral health concerns of common beverages, and the health benefits of white tea. It appears that white tea, which is minimally processed, has many health benefits:
- New research shows that white tea provides more antioxidant and protection than any other type of tea. We know that tea is helpful in preventing cancers, heart disease, but what many people don’t realize is its benefits to oral health.
- White tea has extraordinarily high levels of polyphenols — at least three times higher than those in green tea. Polyphenols are potent antioxidants that are widely acclaimed to help improve the body’s defenses and suppress free radical activity.
- Studies from the Netherlands have shown an inverse correlation between polyphenol intake from tea and heart disease.
- A Boston area study showed that women and men who drank one cup or more of tea daily had a 44 percent reduction in their risk of having a heart attack.
- As an antioxidant, tea is 20 times more potent than Vitamin E and 200 times more potent that Vitamin C.
- Polyphenols in tea provide protection against free radical damage that can lead to cancer and can interrupt growth factors that stimulate cancer.
- People who drink tea have a lower risk of stomach and bladder cancers.
- A study in Canada showed a 20 percent reduction in the risk of prostate cancer for tea drinkers.
- Polyphenolic benefit of tea is the blocking of enzymes and blood components that contribute to blocking arteries.
- Extracts of tea can block LDL oxidation.
- Because of its concentration of polyphenols, one cup of tea has the antioxidant equivalent of four glasses of orange juice. So, using this equation, a cup of white tea would theoretically have the antioxidant equivalent of 12 glasses of orange juice
- Drinking a cup or two between meals can prevent cavities and periodontal disease.
And on, and on… And here’s some interesting info about soda and coffee:
If you rush to brush your teeth right after drinking soda, think again. Doing so may actually do more harm than good. It’s better to wait 30 or 60 minutes before brushing. Doing so is between three and five times more effective at protecting enamel from the erosive effects of carbonated drinks. Researchers say that tooth enamel appears to suffer less damage when brushing occurs after the tooth has had time to mount its own defense against acidic erosion.
Adults come in with multiple cavities and they don’t understand why. We often ask about their Starbucks consumption. Even if you don’t put sugar in, drinking a coffee drink with milk is like bathing your teeth in sugar all day long (milk carbs). Using a straw is somewhat helpful. You need to brush at work between meals if you are drinking coffee drinks.