DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2014.v02i02.012

Pages: 137-140

Tea is a potent and divine herb, having well known medicinal value. Tea is widely consumed beverage in the world. Since its discovery about 5000 years ago, tea has been a subject of intensive research. As tea contains important antioxidant nutrients (such as flavonoids and polyphenols) vitamins and minerals, it offers health advantage, participates in various physiological activities and protects the cell against the toxic effects of free radicals which reflects its role in suppression of oxidative stress mediated disorders such as aging, cardiovascular disease and cancer etc. Various researches are going on to explore the hidden facts about its role in health and diseases. However, the exact mechanism behind its involvement in such events is not yet fully elucidated and needs further investigation. Tea rarely produces any toxic side effects even at high intake. It’s protective properties and safety profile makes it an attractive therapeutic tool. Therefore, the present article is focused on the current aspects related to health benefits of tea intake with special reference to free radicals mediated diseases.