'Tea First': A new habit of drinking tea before meals, not just after

The 'Tea Polyphenol Lab,' operated by the Wellness Research Institute, has released information on a new habit called 'Tea First'—drinking tea at the beginning of or during a meal, rather than just after—on its website as of May 29, 2026, under the supervision of Dr. Shoichi Yamagishi, a professor at Showa Medical University. Polyphenols in tea are suggested to slow the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates by inhibiting enzymes involved in their breakdown, and there are numerous reports on their ability to suppress fat absorption. Consequently, the 'Tea First' habit can lead to a diet conscious of both carbohydrates and fats. Furthermore, research has shown that tea extracts may inhibit the formation of 'AGEs' (advanced glycation end products), which are considered aging-promoting substances.