Cup of tea with biscuitsIt seems there may be no end to the wonders of drinking tea. According to new research, Britain's favourite comfort can even lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

And the best news is that, to enjoy the full and "significant health benefits" you'll need to drink eight cuppas every day.The study found that caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and cocoa have a positive effect on mental function, with alertness, wellbeing and short-term memory all improved.

Dr Carrie Ruxton, a dietician, conducted a review of 47 published studies and discovered that 400mg of caffeine a day (that's eight cups of tea) could give us "key benefits in terms of mental function and heart health".

If you're a regular drinker, you could even benefit from "reduced mortality, a lower risk of heart attack and lower cholesterol."

In fact Dr Ruxton insists that cutting out the caffeine altogether could mean you're missing out.

Dr Catherine Hood, from the Tea Advisory Panel, agreed, telling the Daily Express: "Caffeinated drinks have been unfairly demonised."

Time for another cuppa we think.