Does A Cup Of Tea Reduce Stress? by Medical News Today Several daily newspapers in the UK and elsewhere recently carried reports of a study commissioned by the Direct Line insurance company that suggests a cup of tea reduces stress, not just by drinking it but also because of the calming effect of the ritual of putting the kettle on. In their background information, they referred to literature that suggests drinking tea is associated with positive mood and feelings of relaxation, that its chemical properties have been linked with making the brain more alert and helping people recover from stress, and that it has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Want to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.