Tea is a wonder drug that can slash cancer, heart disease and dementia risk, experts reveal

TEA is a wonder drug that can combat cancer and heart disease and cut dementia risk, experts have revealed.

A calming cuppa can also reduce stress and help the body fight bugs, says extraordinary new research.

The brew booster will cheer tea-loving Brits who guzzle around 100million cups a day.

Tea leaves contain antioxidants which help clear out damaging atoms from the bloodstream and reduce swelling.

Researcher Dr Taylor Wallace said: “This bountiful beverage is one which people can easily add to better their diet and create a healthier and longer life.”

The US Tea Council looked at benefits from compounds called flavonoids from black, green and herbal teas.

These strengthen the immune system and help it to fight off bacterial or viral infection.

A separate Australian review found people drinking between one and five cups of tea a day are at a lower risk of dementia.

In the short term the hot drink can also reduce stress and make us more alert and focused when we feel burnt out.

And further research found a daily cuppa can slash the risk of stroke or heart disease by four per cent, and of dying young by 1.5 per cent.

Experiments also suggest flavonoids can help reduce the risk of some cancers in the gut.

Dr Jeffrey Blumberg, of Tufts University in Boston, US, said: “There is a growing body of research demonstrating that tea can enhance human health in many ways.”

But another study warned against have a too hot cup of tea, which could increase the risk of oesophageal cancer.

Oesophageal cancer is a cancer that’s found anywhere in the oesophagus, sometimes called the gullet or food pipe.

Most people are over the age of 60 when they are diagnosed and in the UK around 9,300 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer each year.

One study, found that people who drink hot tea were at risk of ‘thermal injury’.

Their analysis found that people were more at risk of oesophageal cancer if there was less time between pouring the tea and drinking the tea.