Health: Steeped In Health

Ordinary tea may help fight cancer, heart disease and, now, infection

Sit down, put on a pot, and chalk up another entry in the list of ways that tea drinking may be good for you. Researchers at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston have found new evidence that ordinary tea may prime the immune system to fend off attacks from bacteria and other pathogens. "This is the first report of tea affecting the immune system," says Dr. Jack Bukowski, a rheumatologist and co-author of the study. But it's hardly the first health benefit attributed to tea. Over the years, credible claims have been made that tea may help protect against various...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!