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    Have a Cup of Tea

    enSeptember 20, 2023
    What are the benefits of drinking tea according to the text?
    Who is Dr. Michael Mosley and what does he discuss?
    How does tea consumption affect stress levels?
    What component in tea is linked to relaxation?
    What are some ways to incorporate tea into daily routines?

    Podcast Summary

    • Small daily routine changes for better healthDrinking tea can lower stress, improve memory, and reduce risk of bone fractures, making it a simple yet effective practice for better health.

      Making small changes to your daily routine, such as having a cup of tea, can have significant positive impacts on both your mental and physical health. According to doctor Michael Mosley on the BBC World Service podcast "Just One Thing," millions of people, including Evan from the Noom weight loss program, have experienced improvements in their well-being through personalized plans and simple actions. For instance, drinking tea, which is a popular and relaxing ritual in the UK, has been shown to lower stress levels, improve memory, and reduce the risk of bone fractures. So, consider trying this simple yet effective practice as part of your daily routine. And remember, everyone's journey to better health is unique, so find what works best for you. Whether it's a personalized weight loss plan, a comfortable sleep environment, or a soothing cup of tea, the key is to start small and stay consistent.

    • Exploring the Health Benefits of TeaTea from camellia sinensis plant offers health benefits like improved focus, relaxation, stress reduction, and bone protection. L-theanine in black tea enhances brain function with caffeine.

      Tea, beyond being a pleasant warm beverage, offers various health benefits. These benefits include improved concentration, relaxation, and even protection against bone fractures due to its polyphenol content. Additionally, the compound L-theanine in black tea can help reduce stress and enhance brain function when consumed with caffeine. The speaker aims to encourage the listener to incorporate tea into their daily routine for these reasons. Tea comes from the camellia sinensis plant and is rich in polyphenols, which have been linked to numerous health advantages. Furthermore, green tea, derived from the same plant, undergoes different processing methods but retains similar health benefits. The speaker's personal connection to tea and its potential benefits led them to challenge themselves to drink a few cups a day and share the experience.

    • Tea's impact on brain activity and potential longevity benefitsDrinking tea can enhance brain function by increasing alpha brain waves, leading to relaxation and improved information absorption. Regular tea consumption may contribute to a longer lifespan, even when consumed with milk or sugar.

      Theanine, an amino acid found in tea, can increase alpha brain wave activity, leading to a calm and alert state, potentially improving information absorption and creativity. Additionally, regular tea consumption, especially when it comes to stroke and heart disease, may contribute to a longer lifespan. A study involving nearly half a million people in the UK showed this effect remained even when tea was consumed with milk or sugar. During the tea challenge, participants reported finding time to enjoy their cups and experience relaxation, enhancing the potential benefits. Professor Andrew Steptoe, an expert on tea's benefits, confirmed these findings through controlled studies, showing that the active ingredients in tea can help reduce stress responses. These benefits are not just psychological but also measurable through objective tests like blood pressure and stress hormone levels.

    • Tea consumption for stress relief and heart healthDrinking tea, especially during stress, increases GABA in brain for relaxation, reduces inflammation and platelet activation for heart health.

      Drinking tea, particularly during stressful situations, may lead to faster post-stress adaptation and recovery. This effect could be due to theanine, a component in tea that increases the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, which is associated with relaxation and decreased anxiety. Additionally, tea consumption has been linked to heart health benefits, including reduced inflammation and platelet activation. The way tea is prepared, such as steeping time and the presence of milk or sugar, may affect the tea's beneficial effects. Overall, incorporating tea into one's daily routine could potentially lead to improved stress response and heart health.

    • Discover the benefits of replacing coffee with teaTea can relieve stress, protect the heart, and boost brain function. Replacing coffee with tea can lead to a calmer day and positive health outcomes.

      Incorporating tea into your daily routine can have numerous benefits for your body and mind. The speaker shared his experience of replacing his morning coffee with tea, leading to a calmer day and multiple health advantages. Tea is known to relieve stress, protect the heart, and boost brain function. While coffee may be more effective for workouts, tea is a simple and effective addition to your daily routine that can make a significant difference. Whether it's a cup of tea in the morning or throughout the day, it's a small change that can lead to positive health outcomes. So, consider making the switch to tea and enjoy its multiple benefits. For more insights on simple changes that can make a big difference, tune in to the Just One Thing podcast on BBC Sounds.

    Recent Episodes from Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley

    Just One Thing Day - Friday 12 July

    Just One Thing Day - Friday 12 July

    Join us on Just One Thing Day (Friday 12 July) as we celebrate Michael Mosley and his simple health and wellbeing tips.

    You can get involved too – programmes would love to hear how Michael Mosley has helped to change your life. Listen and watch during the day and use the contact information below:

    The Today programme (Radio 4): Email today@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 0330 1234 3406

    Morning Live (BBC 1): Email morninglive@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 0800 032 1100

    Jeremy Vine (Radio 2): Email vine@bbc.co.uk or SMS to 88291 (Texts will be charged at your standard message rate. Check with your network provider for exact costs.)

    Woman's Hour (Radio 4): Email womanshour.yourviews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 03700 100 444. (Data charges may apply. Use Wifi where possible. Or text on 84844. Texts will be charged at your standard message rate.)

    There’s Only One Michael Mosley

    There’s Only One Michael Mosley

    Michael's last interview, How to Live a Good Life, is with psychologist Paul Bloom and was recorded in the BBC tent at the Hay Festival on 25 May, 2024.

    Paul is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Yale and Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto and he shares with Michael his top five tips for living a good life. And we hear Michael at his best - full of warmth, insight and enjoying his time with the audience and sharing some of his reflections on his life, career and the importance of family.

    Presenter: Michael Mosley with Chris Van Tulleken Producer: Nija Dalal-Small Series Producer: Geraldine Fitzgerald Production Manager: Maria Simons Executive Producers: Helen Thomas and Sasha Feachem Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Studio Engineer: Richard Ward

    Eat Slowly

    Eat Slowly

    In our bustling modern lives, it can be all too easy to wolf down our meals on the go, and never take the time to enjoy them properly. In this episode, Michael Mosley finds out how simply slowing down the speed at which you eat can help you feel full for longer, snack less, and improve your digestion. Michael speaks to Dr Sarah Berry from the department of nutritional sciences at King's College London, who shares findings showing that eating slower can reduce your blood sugar response to food, as well as reducing your calorie intake. Our volunteer Stewart tries to make eating slowly a habit in an attempt to improve his sleep.

    Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small Science Producer: Christine Johnston Researcher: William Hornbrook Researcher: Sophie Richardson Production Manager: Maria Simons Editor: Zoë Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.

    Volunteer

    Volunteer

    In this episode, Michael Mosley discovers that, as well as being a very rewarding thing to do, volunteering your time, labour or spare room can really benefit your health too. Michael speaks with Dr Edith Chen from Northwestern University in the US, who has been investigating the power of helping others. She tells Michael about her studies showing that by boosting your mood and empathy, volunteering can lower chronic inflammation, cholesterol and even help you lose weight. It’s also a great way to meet new people! Meanwhile, Matt gives back to his local community by volunteering at a food bank. Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small Editor: Zoë Heron A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.

    Yoga

    Yoga

    Although yoga is thought to have been practised for over 5,000 years, its myriad benefits for our health and wellbeing are still being uncovered. Professor Rima Dada from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi reveals the extraordinary findings into the benefits of yoga - how half an hour a day can slow down ageing at a cellular level by protecting your mitochondria and your DNA. It can also improve your brain health and even reduce symptoms of depression. Just a few sessions are enough for our volunteer James to catch the yoga bug!

    Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small Editor: Zoë Heron A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.

    Read a poem

    Read a poem

    Reading poetry can reduce stress and help give you words to express the things you're feeling. And reading a poem out loud has been shown to be a surprisingly simple way to activate your relaxation response and bring about a sense of calm. It’s all to do with the way it slows and controls your breathing rate, which in turn stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system and can lead to many beneficial effects. Michael Mosley speaks to Dietrich von Bonin from the Swiss Association of Art Therapies, who says as little as 5 minutes of rhythmic poetry read aloud can be even more effective than slow-paced breathing at relaxing your body and mind. Our volunteer Colm dives into the world of Irish poetry and incorporates reading it aloud into his bedtime routine.

    Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small Editor: Zoë Heron A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.

    Deep Calm - Episode 5: Using Music

    Deep Calm - Episode 5: Using Music

    Sit back, leave behind the cares of the day and take a sonic journey with Dr Michael Mosley. In this new podcast series, designed to help you let go and unwind, each episode focuses on a scientifically-proven technique for activating the body’s built-in relaxation response, and takes a deep dive to explore what’s happening inside as we find stillness and calm.

    Most of us instinctively know that music can have a huge impact on our mood. But it can also be an effective tool to tap into your body’s relaxation response. Plus thought loops, soundwaves and an encounter with the Organ of Corti.

    Guest: Stefan Koelsch, professor at the University of Bergen in Norway.

    Series Producer, sound design and mix engineer: Richard Ward Researcher: William Hornbrook Production Manager: Maria Simons Editor: Zoë Heron Specially composed music by Richard Atkinson (Mcasso) A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.

    Deep Calm - Episode 4: Using the Power of Nature

    Deep Calm - Episode 4: Using the Power of Nature

    Sit back, leave behind the cares of the day and take a sonic journey with Dr Michael Mosley. In this new podcast series, designed to help you let go and unwind, each episode focuses on a scientifically-proven technique for activating the body’s built-in relaxation response, and takes a deep dive to explore what’s happening inside as we find stillness and calm.

    What is it about the natural world that has such a positive impact upon our physiology - slowing our heart rate and blood pressure, settling our thoughts and so much more? One theory is that it’s connected to the repeating patterns in nature - fractals - and Michael discovers that we live in a fractal universe.

    Guest: Richard Taylor, professor at the University of Oregon.

    Series Producer, sound design and mix engineer: Richard Ward Researcher: William Hornbrook Production Manager: Maria Simons Editor: Zoë Heron Specially composed music by Richard Atkinson (Mcasso) Extract from "Fractal compositions No.1” composed by Severin Su in collaboration with 13&9 Design. A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.

    Deep Calm - Episode 3: Using Your Imagination

    Deep Calm - Episode 3: Using Your Imagination

    Sit back, leave behind the cares of the day and take a sonic journey with Dr Michael Mosley. In this new podcast series, designed to help you let go and unwind, each episode focuses on a scientifically-proven technique for activating the body’s built-in relaxation response, and takes a deep dive to explore what’s happening inside as we find stillness and calm.

    If you imagine yourself somewhere safe and relaxing, using something called Guided Imagery, you can activate the body’s relaxation response. Plus brainwaves, pupils and thought-birds.

    Guest: Katarzyna Zemla, PhD candidate SWPS / PJATK Universities in Warsaw.

    Series Producer, sound design and mix engineer: Richard Ward Researcher: William Hornbrook Editor: Zoë Heron Specially composed music by Richard Atkinson (Mcasso) A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.

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    • improve physical health
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    • treat heart disease
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    So why don't we all mediate daily?!

    Kit & Kae dig into this paradox in today's episode and help us all overcome our mediatation inertia with the perfect 3 minute fix!

     

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    Thank you to Nick Serena for our theme music!

     

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