A Cup of Tea, Anyone?

Drinking tea can boost the body's defense against disease. A chemical in tea called L-theanine primes immune system cells to attack bacteria, viruses and fungi and could, perhaps, be turned into a disease-fighting drug someday, according to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. L-theanine is found in black, green and oolong tea. Other studies have linked tea to lower heart disease and cancer risk through the action of flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Other studies have linked tea to combating osteoporosis and relieving some allergy symptoms.