We’ve read many articles on this lately and there seems to be much conversation that a hot cup of tea per day can in fact reduce the risk of blindness. Give yourself a pat on the back if you’ve been saving your eyesight without even knowing it!
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a buildup of fluids in the eye that can damage nerves such as the optic nerve that is responsible for so much of our vision. (This nerve is pictured below). This leads to gradual vision loss and blindness.
What’s the proof?
There was a study done in the British Journal of Ophthalmology that included 1678 participants. Using technology to observe the optic disc, they correlated glaucoma with beverage consumption. After factoring in age, sex, ethnicity, and a few other factors, they saw that those that drank a cup of hot tea per day were 74% LESS LIKELY to develop glaucoma.
Wait, but why?
The researchers have explained that this study needs to keep being replicated for true proof but the tea contains phytochemicals and flavonoids that are anti-inflammatory. This helps the optic nerve to stay healthy.
It is thought that black, green, white and oolong tea have the most flavonoids. So stock up by hitting those links!
In other words, keep drinking your hot decaf tea, tea lovers!
-Alexis
Thanks to the NY Times, British Journal of Ophthalmology for this helpful info.
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