Greek Mountain Tea Demonstrates Significant Health Benefits In New Research Report

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A growing body of research published in a new report by bioanalytical testing firm, Brunswick Laboratories, reveals that Greek mountain tea has significant beneficial health properties.  Prominent in the Mediterranean diet, this herbal infusion is scientifically shown to provide numerous health benefits, including antioxidant bioavailability comparable to green tea, which researchers have lauded in recent years for its health advantages.

Greek mountain tea, also known as "Shepherd's Tea," is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea infusion made from the dried flowers, leaves and stems of the Sideritis plant, which flourishes throughout high elevations in the mountains of Greece.  Consumption of Greek mountain tea dates back to ancient civilization in Greece, when the Greek philosopher Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, hailed its benefits for the immune and respiratory systems.

The new Brunswick Labs report highlights the biological activity and functional properties associated with Greek mountain tea based on a substantial body of research and based on its own laboratory analysis. 

"This report examines the biological effects of Greek mountain tea from various research studies, both in-vitro and in-vivo," comments Dr. Jin Ji, executive vice president of Brunswick Laboratories.  "Its findings indicate the antioxidant and oxidative stress reduction capabilities, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and gastro-protective properties of the Sideritis plant as consumed in Greek mountain tea."

In particular, one study from the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture¹ has found that Greek mountain tea is as potent as green tea (Camellia sinensis) at inducing cellular antioxidant defenses and preventing oxidative stress.  Although the mountain tea extract had a lower phenolic concentration and total antioxidant capacity than green tea in the study, their cellular antioxidant effects were similar due to comparable bioavailability.

The Brunswick Labs report also references research published in the leading international journal Planta Medica that observed significant anti-inflammatory effects as well as anti-microbial activity against five strains of microorganisms, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Candida albicans and E. coli.²

Analysis of brewed Greek mountain tea at Brunswick Labs also demonstrates its high natural phenol and bioflavonoid content, which have been shown to have beneficial antioxidant properties.  The Brunswick Labs analysis found that mountain tea has a high ORAC 5.0 value, the standard measure of oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ranging from 6,900 to 7,400 umol TE³ per serving.  It has a total phenol content of 136 mg, and a total bioflavonoid content of 65.1 mg per serving, which is two times the bioflavonoid content of chamomile tea.  It was also shown to have appreciable quantities of phyto-nutrients such as apigenin, quercetin, kaempherol, and caffeic and chlorogenic acids.

"For thousands of years, Greeks have been drinking Greek mountain tea for its health benefits and for its pleasant taste," comments Steve Raftopoulos, founder of Klio Tea, the leading U.S.-based importer of Greek herbal teas.  "It grows wild throughout Greece typically at elevations of 3,000 feet or more and is also cultivated in small plots within the high elevations of mountainous regions of Greece.  The terroir found in the Greek mountains results in herbs of distinctive quality." 

Based in Santa Barbara, Calif., Klio Tea is the leading U.S. importer of Greek mountain tea and other Greek herbal teas.  Klio Teas are certified organic, hand-grown, hand-picked and unprocessed.  The whole leaf teas are unblended and offered as single varietals from designated origins within Greece.  Klio Teas are also third-party lab-tested for antioxidant and phyto-nutrient content.  They are available for purchase at www.kliotea.com with free shipping on all orders.

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Media Contact:
Juliet Babros
JB Communications|Public Relations
Tel: 310-375-7870
[email protected]

¹ Danesi F, Saha S, Kroon PA, et al. Bioactive-rich Sideritis scardica tea (mountain tea) is as potent as Camellia sinensis tea at inducing cellular antioxidant defences and preventing oxidative stress. J. Sci. Food Agric. 2013;93: 3558-3564.
² Tadic VM, Djordjevic S, Arsic I, et al. Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of Sideritis scardica extracts. Planta Med. 2007;73(9): 98.
³ Trolox equivalency is a standard measurement of antioxidant strength used to measure antioxidant capacity of foods, beverages and supplements.

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SOURCE Klio Tea

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