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Nutritional Value of Tea

Taken on its own tea has no calories. However, when milk is added to it, as enjoyed by 98% of western tea drinking population, it can provide a number of vitamins and minerals. The table below lists the nutrients present in 3 cups of tea, along with the added semi-skimmed milk, as well as their overall contribution to recommended daily intakes and their main functions. In addition to the nutrients described in below table, tea provides 70% of your daily Fluoride intake. Fluoride is needed to support bone mineralization and protect teeth against dental caries.

Nutritional Value of Three Cups of tea and the milk present
in three cups of tea
Nutrient	Amount Provided by 3 cups of Tea Alone *	Percentage of Dialy Recommended Nutrient intake Provided by Tea Alone ***	Amount Provided by the Semi-Skinned Milk in three cups of Tea **	Percentage of Daily Recemmended Nutrient intake provided by the Milk alone in three cups of tea ***	*Total Amount Provided by # cups of Tea with Semi-skimmed Milk**
Minerals
Calcium	-	-	108 mg	15%	108 mg
Zinc	-	-	0.36 mg	5 % (Females), 4 % (Males)	0.36 mg
Potassium	97 mg	3 %	135 mg	4 %	232 mg
Manganese	0.8 mg	-	-	-	0.8 mg
Vitamins
Thianmin (B1)	-	-	36 mcg	5 % (Females), 4% (Males)	36 mcg
Riboflavin (B2)	57 mcg	5% (Females), 4% (Males)	162 mcg	15% (Females), 13% (Males)	219 mcg
Vitamin (B6)	-	-	54 mcg	5% (Females), 4% (Males)	54 mcg
Folate	-	-	5.4 mcg	3%	5.4 mcg
Niacin	0.57 mg	4% (Females), 3% (Males)	0.09 mcg	1%	0.66 mcg
Pantothenate	-	-	0.3 mg	-	0.3 mg
Vitamin B12	-	-	0.36 mcg	24%	0.36 mcg

* 1 Cup = 190 ml ** portion of milk in 1 cup = 30ml

Main Functions of Some of the Nutrients Present in Tea and Milk

Calcium	Calcium is used in the formation of bones and teeth. It also has a role at the cellular level where it is important for activities such as muscle contraction, blood clotting and nerve transmission.
Zinc	Zinc is present in many enzymes and is required for growth, tissue repair and for sexual maturation.
Potassium	Potassium is imporant in hte regulation of fluid balance as well as for proper functioning of cells, including nerves and muscles
Manganese	Essential for hte development of enzymes as well as being an important componenet for bone and cartilage.
Thianmin	Thiamin is needed to release energy for carbohydrates
Riboflavin	Riboflavin is required to release energy from protien, carbohydrates and fat
Vitamin B6	B6 is involved in the metabolism of protein. B6 dependant enzymes are also involved in the metabolism of glycogen and lipids and the synthese of haem.
Folate	Folate is essential for the synthesis of DNA and therefore plays an important role in cell division as well as the formation of blood cells.
Niacin	Niacin is involved in the release of energy in tissues and cells
Pantothenate	Pantothenate plays a central role in energy metabolism
Vitamin B12	B12 is necessary for hte proper formation of blood cells and nerve fibres.

**Nutrient Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for comparison to Tea**
Nutrient	RNI (19-50 year olds)	RNI (50+ year olds)
Energy (kcal) *	1940 (Females) 2550 (Males)	1900 (Females) 2550 (Males)
Protien (g)	45 (Females) 55.5 (Males)	46.5 (Females) 53.3 (Males)
Fag (g)	33% of energy	33% of energy
Carbohydrate (g)	47% of energy	47% of energy
Minerals
Calcium (mg)	700	700
Zinc (mg)	7 (Females) 9.5 (Males)	7 (Females) 9.5 (Males)
Potassium (mg)	3500	3500
Manganese (mg)	NA	NA
Vitamins
Vitamin B2 (mg)	1.1 (Females) 1.3 (Males)	1.1 (Females) 1.3 (Males)
Vitamin B1 (mg)	0.8 (Females) 1.0 (Males)	0.8 (Females) 0.9 (males)
Vitamin B6 (mg)	1.2 (Females) 1.4 (Males)	1.2 (Females) 1.4 (Males)
Folate (mcg)	200	200
Carotene	NA	NA
Niacin (mg)	13 (Females) 17 (Males)	12 (Females) 16 (Males)
Pantothenate (mg)	NA	NA

* Estimate Average Requirements