Could a Good Old Cuppa be the Secret to Dental Bliss?
As a nation of tea lovers, many of us believe that any problem that can’t be solved with a good old fashioned cuppa simply isn’t worth solving. As it wasn’t soothing enough, a new study has suggested that sipping on a cup of hot tea could also help to keep dental disasters at bay.
Experts have discovered that standard tea bags often contain higher levels of fluoride than more expensive blends. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to reduce the risk of tooth decay by strengthening the tooth enamel.
A team of nutritionists analysed the fluoride content of more than 40 different types of tea bag and found that budget blends and decaffeinated versions tend to have the highest fluoride content. Dr Carrie Ruxton, lead author and member of the Tea Advisory Panel, explained that the analysis revealed that 4 cups of tea per day would provide the average person with their recommended fluoride intake.
Black tea, the most commonly consumed tea product in the UK, was found to have the highest fluoride content, with Tesco and PG Tips coming out on top in terms of fluoride content. Tesco Original tea bags contain 2,300mg per kg, while PG Tips contain 1,700mg per kg. There were significant differences between different brands of tea – Twinings English Breakfast tea contains just 470mg/kg, while Waitrose English Breakfast contains 540mg per kg.
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