PUT the kettle on – it might help keep you healthy. That’s according to experts, who reckon that tea isn't just a great relaxation aid but also a beneficial beverage for our physical and mental health.

“There are lots of studies where researchers have observed that tea drinkers have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes,” says Dr Carrie Ruxton, of the UK Tea Advisory Panel.

“This is an enjoyable, traditional drink that's good for us too.”

Although further scientific research is needed, tea has also been proven to have a positive effect on fighting cancer cells. Here’s what else our favourite brew is good for.

Tea hydrates the body One of the myths about this hot drink is that it's not as good as water when it comes to hydration.

But the truth is that tea - which has about 40mg of caffeine in a mug, compared to around 100mg of caffeine in coffee - hydrates just as much.

Ruxton recently compared hydration levels in men after they'd drunk four mugs of tea and four mugs of water.

"It's a common misconception that drinking tea can increase the risk of dehydration because of the caffeine content, but this study proves that there's absolutely no truth behind that theory," she says.

"Drinking moderate amounts of tea - four mugs a day - offered the same hydration qualities as plain water."

"So as well as being refreshing and delicious, tea is an excellent way to keep hydration levels topped up throughout the day."

Good news for regular tea drinkers then - these cups will officially count towards your six to eight glasses of fluid a day!

THE idea that tea contains as much caffeine as coffee is totally wrong, according to the Tea Advisory Panel.

A cup of tea contains about a third of the caffeine in an average cup of filtered coffee and proportionately much less compared to an espresso, say the experts.

Coffee drinkers could also experience increased levels of stress and anxiety, due to drinking larger quantities of caffeine.

Tea aficionados would add that the reason tea drinkers seem calm yet alert is down to a unique amino acid called L-theanine.

"The good mood feeling you get with a cup of tea isn't only habit, there's an active component which boosts relaxation," says Ruxton.

"With tea you get this unique combination of feeling relaxed and having your mood improved, while feeling alert on top of that, which you don't get with anything else.

“I think that's why, over the years, we've associated a cuppa with sitting down and putting your feet up.

She adds: "The British public love their tea, and the good news is that it can boost your health as well."