Does a cup of tea help against a virus?

Say wine, snacks or haute cuisine and the food lovers of online food magazine FavorFlav know where to drink, how to eat and what to cook. This time our chefs serve you: green tea.

Because we are not doctors, you won't hear us say that food is medicine (except for the mind!), but if something is healthy and tasty: bring it on. Especially in these times, many people are more conscious about eating and drinking, whether it's out of a need for comfort and reassurance or for wellness, we only encourage that. And let the following be a perfect way to get some of those mega useful antioxidants in a relaxed manner.

Namely: a simple cup of green tea. It's nothing new under the sun as it has been consumed (especially in the Far East) for centuries due to its supposed boost for the immune system. In the Netherlands, after a survey by the newspaper Trouw, it has been shown that neither the KWF Cancer Control nor the Dutch Cancer Institute finds evidence for, or believes in any preventive (and certainly not curative) effect of green tea on cancer. However, there has been ample foreign green tea research done on its further positive influence on your health, and it's always interesting to mention the benefits of this healing drink.

Helpful substances in green tea
Catechins for example: nothing Catholic about it, just antioxidants that help your immune system build resistance. They also seem to contribute to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and especially if you, like us, regularly eat something tasty and fatty (cheese, sausage, burgers, Chipito’s), drinking green tea during the inevitable balance day can’t hurt. And polyphenols; also those hard workers. Anti-inflammatory and protective against free radicals.

Still be careful
Researchers do indicate that not everyone should sip green tea all day long. There is indeed caffeine in it, and especially heart patients and pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding are advised not to drink more than two cups a day. Also, people who need to watch their iron: discuss that tea consumption with the doctor; polyphenols can have an effect here.

Corona tip?
Although researched, there seems to be insufficient evidence that green tea would help strengthen the immune system against viral infections like Covid-19, or that this tea would work preventively. But if you've been sitting inside for weeks and have baked and eaten yourself into a frenzy, or if the lockdown has mentally gotten to you a bit: relax with a fragrant cup of real green tea. Just because it's tasty and really good for your health.

Text: FavorFlav