3rd October, 2007: Study Links Tea to Improved Attention
Research into the connections between tea and health continues to yield promising results. During the International Scientific Symposium on Tea & Human Health — held September 18 — researchers reviewed new findings on the role of tea in the human diet. Recent studies include tea’s impact on human cognition, specifically on attention.
According to a press release issued by symposium organizers, the results of several trials presented by John Foxe, Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience, biology and psychology, “have found that theanine from tea actively alters the attention networks of the brain” by increasing alpha brain-wave activity to induce “a calmer, yet more alert, state of mind.”
Theanine is an amino acid which is found “almost exclusively” in tea plants.
Additional research also suggests that the effects of theanine in combination with caffeine are even greater than with either one alone in improving attention. “Theanine may work synergistically with caffeine to help induce a more calming, relaxed state, but one that allows the mind to focus and concentrate better at tasks.”
Dr. Foxe noted that the effect lasts about three to four hours, “which we have speculated may be why people tend to drink a cup of tea every three-to-four hours during the day.”
To learn more about Dr. Foxes’ research, or that of other researchers featured at the symposium, view the release at PRNewswire.com.
Posted by Brenda at 6:00 am | Comment (0)
2nd October, 2007: The Real Earl Grey Tea!
Did you know you can make a good raspberry jam using green tomatoes and raspberry gelatin? I have had the pleasure of trying it and was pleasantly surprised. While the green tomato jam runs a good race it still does not beat the original raspberry jam. In tea you can run into some of the same occurrences where artificial flavors are substituted for all natural products. For instance, if you take a look at the Earl Grey products on the market you will find that everyone is using black tea and bergamot. Differences between companies will come from what types of black tea are used but the bigger issues will be with what is used as the oil of bergamot flavoring. Some companies will use the actual oil of bergamot (like Bigelow Tea) but many will use some form of bergamot flavoring. In a side by side test most people can tell the difference but seldom do people taste two different manufactures side by side. Our Tea Division does this day in and day out to make sure the product we make continues to be the best available. The only other way to tell is by reading the package to make sure you are buying Earl Grey with the real oil of bergamot, not green tomatoes.
Dean
Posted by Dean at 6:00 am | Comments (5)
1st October, 2007: All That Glitters Is…
Constant Comment® was the preferred tea of fictional star Maude Antrim during the Golden Age of Hollywood in All That Glitters. The book was written by actor turned author Thomas Tryon whose best role is considered by many to be the 1965 film, In Harm’s Way.
In one scene in the book, the leading lady instructs her guest to ring for tea. “Just give that cord a tug, ” Maude says. When the servant appears with a tray, just what kind of tea do you think he had? You got it — no other than Constant Comment®. When Ms. Antrim’s guest immediately recognized the distinguished flavor of a Constant Comment® after just one sip, the Hollywood star exclaims “You’re – you’re on my team. Only people who know C.C. can get on my tea team.”
We want you to get on the Bigelow Tea team too. Join our tea team by becoming a friend by commenting on our Blog or checking out our teas, tea gifts or tea videos and more on the website, www.bigelowtea.com.
Posted by Julie at 6:00 am | Comments (3)
