Tea in the News

Mayo Clinic Researchers Discover Green Tea Component Helps Kill Leukemia Cells

ROCHESTER, MN. -- Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that a component in green tea helps kill cells of the most common leukemia in the US.

The research, using laboratory cell cultures, shows that a component of green tea known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) [epi-gallo-cat-ekin-3-gal-ate] helps kill leukemia cells by interrupting the communication signals they need to survive. The Mayo Clinic study, led by Neil E. Kay, MD, shows that green tea's EGCG interrupted survival signals, prompting leukemia cells to die in eight of 10 patient samples tested in the laboratory.

Dr. Kay says: "We're continuing to look for therapeutic agents that are nontoxic to the patient but kill cancer cells, and this finding with EGCG is an excellent start.

The findings are reported in an electronic article in the journal "Blood". Here follows a link to the article:
http://www.bloodjournal.org/cgi/reprint/2003-08-2763v1.

Tea and a Healthy Lifestyle

Recent research exploring the potential health attributes of tea is leading many scientists to agree that tea, both black and green, may contribute positively to a healthy lifestyle.

"Fruits, vegetables, and tea all contain important antioxidants. Research suggests these phyto-nutrients may contribute substantially to the promotion of health and the prevention of chronic disease. For example, recent research studies reveal the antioxidants in tea may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and support cardiovascular health," stated Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., F.A.C.N, Chief of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.

Little tid-bits...

"Polly put the kettle on
kettle on, kettle on
Polly put the kettle on
And we'll all have tea"

—English children's rhyming song

Profile: Brad Wilson - Tea Blender

Our Tea Blender/Taster at SNA Tea Company is Brad Wilson. Brad is responsible for putting together many of the fantastic blends that we offer our customers. Brad joined us in 1998 and immediately began training with Master Taster and company Chairman, Barry Cooper, in herbal and tea blending and tasting. As an additional aspect of his training, Brad resided on a tea estate in Argentina as well as toured the tea growing area of Ceylon.

From both of these experiences, Brad learned the intricacies of tea growing, harvesting and manufacturing. He returned from these travels with an overview of the time and effort that goes into making quality tea, and a new respect for the disciplines needed to produce teas in two very different parts of the world.

Since that time, Brad has been responsible for the blending and tea creations at SNA Tea Company and HHB Company. When Brad prepares a new blend, he asks that all employees taste and comment. This way, we are all a part of the creative effort, and we all learn about the combination of tea, herbs and flavors that, blended correctly, create delicious and health-giving teas.

Tea Buzz

Get some good ZZZZZZ with Green Tea

The health benefits of Green Tea benefit sleep! Researchers in Japan report that the amino acid found in green tea (EGCG) can improve the quality of slumber in young men while improving their mental state upon awakening, leaving them more refreshed.

(NutraIngredients-usa.com, March 16, 2004)

Tea Pods and Quick Brewers–Latest Trend

New marketing ideas for tea and coffee include the individual serving pod which, when placed in a quick brewer, produces a delicious cup of hot tea (or cold tea on ice) in 35 seconds. The benefits of the pod machine are that consumers can brew almost instantly either coffee or tea with no grounds or tea leaves to clean up, and receive a quality cup of the beverage of their choice.

Tea Time Increases One's Lifetime

Green tea is now accepted as a cancer preventive on the basis of numerous in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies. In addition, green tea has also been reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies found an apparent delay of cancer onset/death and all-cause deaths associated with increased consumption of green tea, specifically in ages before 79 in a prospective cohort study of a Japanese population with 13-year follow-up data.

(Tea Council of the UK, March 23, 2004)

A message from the Chairman

As the hot months approach, our thoughts turn to iced tea, the most natural of beverages. Tea tastes good, looks good and tea does you good. Tea is to water what bubbles are to Champagne. Tea makes water special, and water is a life force for us humans, but let's be honest, water can be boooooring. Not so with tea. So add goodness and variety to your life, drink more iced tea, We will all benefit!

Barry P. W. Cooper

 
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