A new study suggests that drinking Tea daily may significantly reduce your risk of developing Glaucoma, the degenerative eye disease that damages the optic nerve resulting in a restricted field of vision. It is most often caused by a built-up of fluid pressure in the front of the eye, and this is where the Tea comes in…
And he’s much less likely to develop Glaucoma!
“Tea, Earl Grey, Hot”
Caprain Jean Luc Picard of the Starship Entprise D is well know for his primary beverage preference. But could it be that the show’s writers predicted the future, again? Even in such a small detail? Picard, bless ‘im, might just have been following Doctor Crusher’s advice and having his one-or-more cups of Hot Tea daily to ward off Glaucoma.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, and currently affects 57.5 million people, and is expected to increase to 65.5 million by 2020. Any kind of cheap, easy cure or prevention regime would be a huge advance.
Now, a small study recently published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that drinking hot Tea at least once a day may lower your risk of developing Glaucoma. However… Drinking decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated tea, iced tea and soft drinks doesn’t seem to make any difference to glaucoma risk.
What is it in tea that makes the difference?
That question will take further study to answer. The current research was limited to a digest of results from a large study of general health conditions in a sample of about 10,000. Of 1678 participants who had full eye test results, 84 (5%) adults had developed the condition.
They were asked how often and how much they had drunk of caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks, including soft drinks and iced tea, over the preceding 12 months, using a validated questionnaire (Food Frequency). After taking account of potentially influential factors, such as diabetes and smoking, hot tea-drinkers were 74 per cent less likely to have glaucoma.
Factors that were not studied included cup size, tea type, and the length of brewing time, all of which might have been influential.
But we do know Tea contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective chemicals, which have been associated with a lowered risk of serious conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, say the researchers. Many factors could be in play in the Tea-Glaucoma relationship.
The bottom line…
In their conclusion, the researchers say more study is needed to clarify the results of their findings and further explore the relationship between Tea and Glaucoma prevention.
I know what one of my New Year’s Resolutions will be… And it’s an easy and pleasant one to fulfill!
~ Maggie J.