Should young children drink tea?

Drinking tea has for centuries been associated with relaxation and stress relief and a new study published in the Nutrition and Food Technology Journal has even suggested that children as young as four-years old could benefit from drinking tea. The report goes further promoting tea as a possible answer to combat obesity, stress and even heart disease.

The report collated the results of 60 independent scientific studies into the medical benefits of regular tea drinking and found that the benefits for health and wellbeing are seen at daily intakes of two to four cups – and it doesn’t matter whether you choose regular black tea, or green tea. The report went further to suggest that parents should give tea to their children from the age of four instead of sweet and fizzy drinks. Whilst the caffeine in tea was considered its effects was outweighed by the hydration and flavonoids it provides. Furthermore L-theanine, an amino acid unique to tea, helps relaxation, reduces stress and in combination with caffeine influences brain functions such as alertness and concentration.