Drink tea for better health

(WTNH) - More people in Connecticut are discovering what Asian cultures have known for thousands of years: that drinking tea can impact your health.

A cold day lures people inside the Green Teahouse in West Hartford where traditional Chinese fresh loose tea is the draw.

"I just love it, its a great drink," said Carol Gantner. "It makes me feel better and it gives me energy and it keeps me warm."

"I enjoy tea definitely, but I also enjoy it when I'm not feeling so well and it works," said Kathleen Graham.

Owner Ting Chaponis said more people are discovering what the Chinese have known for centuries -- that drinking tea is like a glass of wine.

"The more you drink it, the healthier you are," said Chaponis.

Studies have shown tea has all kinds of benefits.

"Oolong tea is very good to reduce cholesterol, help burn fat and digest food," said Chaponis. "Black tea from a Chinese herbalist point of view is very good to maintain normal blood pressure. Loose tea are all fresh, we do not put any preservatives inside tea."

"The fresher the better," said Scientist Dr. Sin Hang Lee in Milford. "All teas are healthy to some degree."

But Dr. Lee developed a high potent green tea with an FDA health claim right on the package based on his research.

"The FDA allowed us to say this green tea may reduce the risk for breast cancer and prostate cancer," Dr. Lee said.

The tea comes with specific directions designed to duplicate the process researchers follow in the laboratory.

"I simply transferred the science into practice for people to prepare tea to promote health," Dr. Lee said.

It calls for boiling distilled water.

"Because distilled water does not have the iron, chlorine or the chemicals to damage the tea's quality," said Dr. Lee.

The green tea is then steeped for 20 minutes. And Dr. Lee recommends three cups a day for a maximum health benefits.

The difference between a good tea versus a bad one? A good tea has a robust flavor with a nice aroma and the leaves are fairly fresh.