No proof tea is the 'elixir of life'

Conclusion Flavonoid plant compounds have been researched extensively, with studies exploring their possible health benefits. In this research, there is an association between higher flavonoid intake and a reduced risk of death from any cause over five years in a cohort of older women. However, this study provides no proof that drinking tea will help you live longer. There are several important points to bear in mind: The design of this study cannot prove cause and effect. Though it has adjusted for various potential health and lifestyle confounders, it is unlikely to have taken all of them into account. It is therefore not possible to say that flavonoids are the single direct cause of reduced mortality. This is a very specific population group: postmenopausal women with an average age of 80 who were recruited to a trial investigating calcium supplements to prevent fractures. They therefore may not be representative of all older women – for example, the women in this trial were of quite high socioeconomic status. Their results can certainly not be applied to women as a whole, or men. Foods and drinks were assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Although these may be validated ways of assessing intake, they are still subject to inaccuracy. For example, people may not be able to give a reliable indication of their tea consumption over the past year. This information on foods and drinks was put into two different databases to estimate flavonoid intake...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Older people Source Type: news