Eight cups of tea daily 'good for your health'

Researchers have found that the caffeine contained in drinks can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, and improve the brain power of drinkers by making them feel more alert and cheerful, the 'Daily Mail' reported. Lead author Dr Carrie Ruxton, a nutrition expert, said her work "debunked" some of the myths around caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee and cocoa.

She compared the results of 47 independent studies to reach her conclusions and found that the caffeine contained in drinks can lead to a lower risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as making drinkers feel more alert and cheerful. She said the optimum caffeine intake for an adult was 400 mg a day, equivalent to eight cups of tea or four coffees.

That amount gave drinkers the best levels of the health-giving antioxidants and flavanoids contained in caffeinated drinks. Dr Ruxton said the drinks were also healthy for children but should be limited to 95 mg a day, equivalent to two small cups of tea or one small, weak coffee.