PUT the kettle on. There's now even more reason to enjoy a cup of tea, with Perth researchers confirming the humble cuppa can help prevent Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.
Researchers at Edith Cowan University's School of Medical and Health Sciences examined more than 100 studies looking at tea consumption.
They found that black, white and green tea can reduce the risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.
The findings could offer some hope to the more than 65 million people expected to be living with Alzheimer's disease by 2030.
Likewise, some 5.1 million deaths worldwide were attributed to diabetes in 2013, a figure that is growing annually.
ECU Centre for Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care Research Fellow Binosha Fernando said the review offered new lines of enquiry for scientists.
"There is strong evidence that tea consumption can lower the levels of beta amyloid b in the brain, the build-up of which can cause Alzheimer's disease," she said.
The researchers also examined the evidence that tea consumption could be protective against diabetes.
"Both population-based studies as well as human clinical trials have shown a link between tea consumption and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes," Dr Fernando said.
"One study found that drinking tea could result in a significant reduction in the symptoms of diabetes, including a 15-fold increase in insulin activity. Low insulin activity is a major risk factor for diabetes.
"Overall, tea appears to offer a safe and acceptable approach toward lowering the risk factors associated with diabetes and Alzheimer's disease," Dr Fernando said.
She said the next step would be for more randomised, clinical trials which are placebo controlled to determine the manner, type and amount of tea required to achieve results.
Researchers at the university have also recently identified depression and trouble sleeping as potential risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.
They are also investigating if a combination of the circimun (a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the spice turmeric) and fish oil can potentially delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
