Just read this article from "Emergency Management Monthly".  Score one
for Deri (and Kat, too, IIRC), though tea without milk is just not
cricket, no?

Kyle


Is a cup of tea really the answer to everything -- even anthrax? [Mar 12
Cardiff Wales]--A cup of black tea could be the next line of defence in
the threat of bio-terrorism according to new international research. 

A new study by an international team of researchers from Cardiff
University and University of Maryland has revealed how the humble cup of
tea could well be an antidote to Bacillus anthracis -more commonly know
as anthrax. 

As a nation, Brits currently drink 165 million cups of tea, and the
healing benefits of the nation's favourite beverage have long been
acknowledged. 

But now the team of scientists led by Professor Les Baillie from Welsh
School of Pharmacy at Cardiff University and Doctor Theresa Gallagher,
Biodefense Institute, part of the Medical Biotechnology Centre of the
University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute in Baltimore, has found
that the widely-available English Breakfast tea has the potential to
inhibit the activity of anthrax, as long as it is black tea. 

Anthrax - a potentially fatal human disease - is caused by the bacterium
Bacillus anthracis. A very serious and rapidly progressing form of the
disease occurs when bacterial spores are inhaled making anthrax a potent
threat when used as a biological warfare agent.

Published in the March issue of the Society for Applied Microbiology's
journal Microbiologist, Professor Baillie said: "Our research sought to
determine if English Breakfast tea was more effective than a
commercially available American medium roast coffee at killing anthrax.
We found that special components in tea such as polyphenols have the
ability to inhibit the activity of anthrax quite considerably." 

The study provides further evidence of the wide range of beneficial
physiological and pharmalogical effects of this common household item. 

The research also shows that the addition of whole milk to a standard
cup of tea completely inhibited its antibacterial activity against
anthrax. 

Professor Baillie continued: "I would suggest that in the event that we
are faced with a potential bio-terror attack, individuals may want to
forgo their dash of milk at least until the situation is under control. 

"What's more, given the ability of tea to bring solace and steady the
mind, and to inactivate Bacillus anthracis and its toxin, perhaps the
Boston Tea Party was not such a good idea after all." 

Professor Les Baillie is Professor of Microbiology at Welsh School of
Pharmacy. He is also Associate Professor, Director Biodefense
Initiative, Medical Biotechnology Centre, University of Maryland
Biotechnology Institute in Baltimore, and Adjunct Professor in the
Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Maryland at
Baltimore.

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