A cuppa does it all. The staple of greasy spoon and upmarket tea room alike is a pick-me-up that can also calm us down. That might go some way to explaining why we drink about 36 billion cups of the stuff each year in the UK. George Orwell certainly knew its value: he called tea ‘one of the mainstays of civilisation’.

It’s also good for you. Matcha, yerba maté et al might be hot property in health shops, but studies have shown that normal breakfast tea can benefit the immune system, lower inflammation and reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Now, a Chinese meta-analysis of research, involving more than one million people from eight countries, suggests frequent tea breaks could also help to tackle type-2 diabetes.

It’s a timely finding. Britain is seeing an alarming rise in obesity rates. This has contributed to an increase in type-2 diabetes, especially in those aged 18 to 39.

The chemical relationship between tea consumption and diabetes has yet to be worked out, but the meta-analysis correlated drinking at least four cups a day with a 17% lower chance of being diagnosed with the illness over 10 years. So, while the scientists leaf through the details, pop the kettle on and drink in the benefits.

Mighty Brew

Three more good reasons to get a round in:

01 / In The Blood

Black tea is rich in chemicals called flavonoids that can help to lower high cholesterol levels.

02 / Lean Machine

One study found tea’s antioxidant catechins contribute to reductions in excess body fat.

03 / Power Cell

Consumed regularly, tea’s phytochemicals reduce cell damage and improve glucose metabolism.

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