Question
I know that brewed tea contains antioxidants. What about instant tea?
Answer
Instant tea has fewer antioxidants than brewed tea. This is because processing of tea reduces its antioxidant content, and instant tea is more highly processed than brewed tea. Decaffeinated tea also has fewer antioxidants than caffeinated teas.
Brewed tea is a rich source of antioxidants, including flavonoids and catechins. Antioxidants are natural compounds found in many foods. These compounds may protect against tissue damage from free radicals, which may lead to diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
| Flavonoid content in tea (8 ounces): A comparison |
| Antioxidant | Brewed tea | Instant tea |
| Flavonoids* | 541-692 | 122-312 |
Source: USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods, 2003
*Measured in micrograms per milliliter
Last Updated: 05/17/2006
• For Employees 
Site Designed by Carbon 42