Sugar 'not necessary' for a good cup of tea

It could be a ritual for many but scientists say that your cup of tea does not need a spoonful of sugar.

One study found that participants were able to cope without their pleasure being affected – suggesting that a change in long-term behavior was possible.

Scientists said stopping smoking at once or gradually reducing consumption was an effective strategy to reduce consumption.

The authors said that a larger trial was needed to confirm their findings.

A team of researchers from University College London and the University of Leeds analyzed a month's data from 64 men who usually drink sugar-sweetened tea.

The participants were equally divided into men who quit smoking at a radical stage, those who gradually reduced their sugar levels in their tea in four weeks, and a control group who continued to drink sweet tea.

The results suggested that groups that reduced their sugar intake were still able to enjoy a cup of tea without a spoonful of sweet substance.

By the end of the study, 42% of people in the progressive reduction group had stopped sugar in the tea, just like 36% of those who had eliminated it in one go.

Six percent of the men in the control group also dropped out in their cup of tea.

The team concluded: "The reduction of sugar content in tea does not affect the taste, suggesting a possible change of behavior in the long term".

The researchers added that similar methods could be used to reduce the consumption of sugar in other beverages such as squash.

The findings were peer reviewed at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow.