Just when you thought that we had discovered every last dreg of tea’s medicinal properties, a new initiative promises to show that a little cuppa could go a long way. A new project, now backed by funding from the British government, is exploring ways in which tea could save lives around the world, particularly in developing nations where access to good healthcare is still limited in many places.
The particular type of tea that lead researcher Dr. Levente Diosady and his team are working on, is a specially fortified iron-rich brew that has the potential to improve the survival rates of newborn infants and expectant mothers in every corner of the globe. If it’s successful, the tea could be an important tool in dealing with diseases like anemia.
The idea sounds so simple that it’s easy to wonder why it hasn’t been tried out already. After all, issues like infant mortality have been around for ages, with many agencies, governments and non-profit organizations pitching in to find long term solutions to pressing health issues affecting families all across the globe. However, it’s only been until recently that researchers have been able to hit on the best way to infuse tea leaves with iron so that a fresh cup becomes an easy and effective “delivery system.”
The most brilliant part of this initiative is probably the way in which researchers are taking advantage of the ubiquity of tea in places like Asia and Africa. Tea is a perfect vehicle for iron because it’s a hugely popular drink that’s already built into the culture of many areas dealing with issues like infant mortality. It’s easy to make, doesn’t provoke unwanted side effects and it can be taken orally as part of a person’s daily routine.
If this all sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is– at least for now. The project is still in its research stage and a full scale launch of the initiative is unlikely to arrive any time soon. So, before you go running to your nearest Tea Smith to stock up, remember that this special brew isn’t available in stores. For now we’ll have to settle for everything else tea has to offer and keep an eye on Dr. Levente Diosady and his team to see where their innovative idea leads them to next.