Brooke Bond Tea Council launches in Chennai

Promotes health benefits and debunks myths about tea

• Dr. Dharini Krishnan, Past President, Indian Dietetic Association, empanelled as the newest member of the Brooke Bond Tea Council to promote the goodness of tea in Southern India

• The Council encourages an average Indian to drink three cups of tea daily to help contribute to good health

Chennai, 6 January 2011: Brooke Bond Tea Council had its first event in Chennai today, with the aim of educating people on the health benefits of Tea. The Brooke Bond Tea Council seeks to bust myths surrounding tea and establish that it is truly a healthy beverage due to the presence of many goodies like Flavonoids which have many health benefits for the heart, mind, immunity and weight management

The Council comprises of experts from the tea and health fraternity who have joined hands to change existing perceptions on tea and to establish its health credentials. The Council has distinguished representatives from various fields – Nutritionists like Dr Anjali Mukerjee and Ms Ishi Khosla; Dr. Dharini Krishnan, -Past President, Indian Dietetic Association; Dr N. Muraleedharan, Advisor of United Plantation Association of South India (UPASI); Dr Gautam Banerjee, Scientist, Hindustan Unilever Research Centre (HURC); and  Mr. Sanjiv Chatterji, Tea Expert, Tea Excellence Centre, Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

During the launch, Brooke Bond Tea Council shared its health paper on tea, detailing the findings of the Study, as well as tea’s history and its proven health benefits. The Brooke Bond White Paper Study is based on a nationwide survey conducted by AC Nielsen and commissioned by Brooke Bond, India’s leading tea brand. The survey, which covered over one thousand respondents across 12 cities to understand the perceptions of tea among Indian consumers, reveals several misconceptions prevalent about this centuries’ old beverage.

The survey reveals that though Tea is the most popular beverage in India, 77% of the consumers surveyed actually believe that Tea is unhealthy – and the cause of various ailments like acidity and nausea; it is addictive, bad for children and causes skin darkening. About 61% of the respondents believe Tea is considered traditional and for the older generation — in fact, the perception amongst the youth of today is that beverages like energy drinks and juices are healthier than Tea. These incorrect perceptions and myths about tea are in many ways contributing to the declining consumption of tea by younger consumers.

Mr. Arun Srinivas, Category Head-Beverages, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, said, “India has seen a sea of change in everything; from gizmos to lifestyle patterns. The rise of convenience culture has created a leaning towards new age, but unhealthier beverages. It is necessary to propagate the natural goodness of Tea and bust myths, so that consumers continue to harness the health benefits of this Super Food.”

Tea is indeed a Super Food. It has a host of goodies with various health benefits. Flavonoids, which are naturally present in many other foods such as vegetables, fruits, wine, whole grains and tea, with tea being one of the richest source of these Flavonoids, are known to be beneficial for the heart. L-theanine is an amino acid, found almost exclusively in both green and black tea and is known for its mind benefits. Weight management, immunity and oral health are among other benefits of tea.  It is, in fact,   one of the healthiest beverages which apart from having cardio-protective effects has beneficial effects on mental and physical lethargy as well.

The Brooke Bond Tea Council aims to be the tea industry’s thought leader. The Council will take up innovative interventions that can help identify issues, correct misconceptions and spread awareness to make tea a healthy beverage and restore it to its rightful place as our national beverage. The Brooke Bond Tea Council’s aim is to encourage people to drink three cups of tea daily to help contribute to good health.

Brooke Bond has over 140 years of Tea expertise and has been catering to the diverse preferences of consumers across the country. As the market leader in Tea, Brooke Bond has always been at the forefront of new initiatives in the tea segment in India. For any further information on tea or to interact with the council visit us at: www.brookebondhealth.com

About Brooke Bond

Brooke Bond is the market leader in Tea with a portfolio of 5 brands including 3 Roses, Red Label, Taj Mahal, Taaza and Arogya, that have been created keeping in view the specific taste and health needs of the Indian population. It provides a range of offerings that revitalizes the body and mind. It is a leader in the Indian market place as it has the best understanding of tea which helps it create a winning portfolio of brands.

About Hindustan Unilever Limited

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is India’s largest FMCG Company, touching the lives of two out of three Indians. HUL’s mission is to ‘add vitality to life’ through its presence in over 20 distinct categories in Home & Personal Care Products and Foods & Beverages. The company meets every day needs for nutrition, hygiene, and personal care, with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. As the market leader in Tea with a portfolio of five brands, Brooke Bond has been always been at the forefront of new initiatives in the tea segment in India.

Brooke Bond Tea Council : Experts Speak

Ishi Khosla, Nutritionist: “Several studies have suggested that drinking either green or black tea may lower blood cholesterol concentration, blood pressure and inhibit clotting of blood, thereby providing some protection against cardiovascular disease. While green tea benefits arise from catechins, black tea benefits arise from theaflavins- both of which inhibit oxidation of bad cholesterol LDL. Tea contains significant amounts of folic acid. Folic acid helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Tea is also rich in fluorine, useful for preventing tooth decay. A cup of tea provides about 0.3 mg. of fluoride. The stimulant properties of tea can be attributed to caffeine – a single cup of tea provides half the amount the caffeine found in a cup of coffee. Green/ black, both teas provide health benefits taken in moderation as a part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.”

Dr. Anjali Mukerjee, Nutritionist: “All teas can boost your chances of reaching old age in good shape. Tea is a hot stimulating soup of naturally occurring compounds known to be beneficial to our health since centuries. It contains flavanoids which have powerful antioxidant activity. Tea contains polyphenols which are known to be heart friendly and catechins which are known to have anti inflammatory properties. Tea also contains L-Theanine which calms the mind, improves focus thereby making you more alert. It enhances the ability to learn and remember which is one of the reasons it was used by the monks and scholars prior to meditation and study. Tea has practically no calories if taken without milk and sugar. While health benefits of tea continue to be proven by research and backed by science – we must not forget that balance and moderation is the key to good health. Stick to about 3 cups of tea in a day and enjoy its health benefits.”

Dr. N. Muraleedhran, Advisor of United Plantation Association of South India (UPASI): “The health benefits of tea had been realized by the Chinese and Japanese over the last several centuries. The Chinese are known to drink tea for millennia! For them tea is sacred and the Japanese, tea ceremony in a part of their culture. But Indians are yet to fully realize the beneficial effects of tea on human health. In fact the vast majority of Indians are unaware of the health benefits of tea or about the large volume of scientific literature available on the positive effects of tea on human health.”

Dr. Gautam Banerjee, Scientist, Hindustan Unilever Research Centre (HURC): “Tea consumption has been extensively studied in relation to various diseases. Several epidemiological studies have been performed to investigate the association between tea consumption and vascular health, glycemic control, reduction of inflammation, immune health and so on. Tea contains natural goodies like polyphenols, amino acid etc which deliver various health benefits to the consumers. In tea drinking countries, tea accounts for almost 50% of the total flavonoid intake in the daily diet.”

Mr. Sanjiv Chatterji, Tea Excellence Centre, Hindustan Unilever Ltd: “Tea is good for you. Among all the beverages, tea is an everlasting one, as it has a history of its own for centuries in India. Tea is one of the many things in the diet that contributes to good health. Science is proving that tea has positive health benefits on cardiovascular health, microcirculation, immunity, high blood pressure, and even weight loss. Tea when drunk black, without milk or sugar, not only tastes great, but contains virtually no calories and provides natural goodies such as flavonoid and L-theanine.”

Dr. Dharini Krishna, Past President, Indian Dietetic Association: Tea is a very healthy drink when taken judiciously. It provides anti-oxidants in the form of flavanoids. These products increase the immunity of the person.  It protects the heart due to the presence of catechins and polyphenols. Lime tea is an excellent replacement of minerals during nausea. In people who have issues with milk digestion, light black tea is a good option. The L-Theanine in tea helps in relaxing a person. It also contains folic acid, which can prevent issues related to folic acid deficiencies.

Brooke Bond Tea Council launches in Chennai Gallery

Brooke Bond Tea Council launches in Chennai Photo Gallery