Amidst worldwide measures aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19 through the promotion of physical distancing and the implementation of nationwide lockdowns and curfews, one question that is being asked these days is “how can humans strengthen their immune systems to fight Covid-19?”. While various attempts have been made across the globe in search of therapeutic options exploring antiviral agents to treat patients affected by Covid-19, there is no definitive way to prevent or manage the damage caused by the virus. However, recent studies conducted in Taiwan and China showcase that compounds found in black tea help boost the immune system and could be a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) compound. Tea is also one of Sri Lanka’s main exports, with 99% of the country’s production being geared towards black tea and the remainder towards green tea. Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) Global Campaign Consultant Hasitha De Alwis stated that Sri Lanka produces about 300-310 million kilogrammes of black tea each year, out of which the country exports 280-290 million kilogrammes. He explained that all of the country’s tea export markets involve black tea; these markets include countries in Western Asia, parts of North Africa, parts of the Middle East, and more recently China. He went on to state that even the US is a good market for black tea where 85% of the market deals with black tea while 15% deals with green tea. On 27 March, the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka (TRI) together with the SLTB released a paper themed “Antiviral properties of tea: Black tea may become the unique brew of choice with no side effects to fight against coronavirus?”, highlighting research done on the effects of black tea when it comes to fighting the Covid-19 virus. Preliminary results of the research suggested that out of the 64 compounds studied, one component – theaflavin – was selected as the prime candidate for developing a SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor targeting RdRp (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase). These inhibitors could theoretically be used to prevent the multiplication of the virus inside the human body. Theaflavin is an antioxidant polyphenol formed during the fermentation process black tea is subjected to. In comparison to green tea which does not go through the fermentation process, black tea is richer in theaflavins. “The circumstantial evidence available undoubtedly indicates that consuming at least a few cups of hot black tea a day will help curb the effects of Covid-19. I must also say that drinking tea is not a prescribed drug for Covid-19; it is just a good habit to boost your immune system,” said TRI Director Dr. Saman Hettiarachchi. However Dr. Hettiarachchi stated that these results are yet to be confirmed in vivo studies before they could be translated into clinical benefits. The research also stated that in addition to theaflavins, the other chemicals available in tea viz. catechins, methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine) have also showcased antiviral activity in previous studies. According to the research, these broad spectra of antiviral activity of the compounds found in black tea could also be seen as effective against several influenza viruses, which are also respiratory diseases similar to Covid-19, as showcased in other studies. It goes on to state that this suggests that tea might be a promising source of antiviral compounds in the prevention and therapeutic aspects against influenza and that group of viruses. However, information on antiviral activity of black tea against SARS-CoV-2 is not clear yet, but that theaflavin has emerged as a promising candidate to inhibit RdRp activity of the virus is a matter of fact. Dr. Hettiarachchi stated that the best way to drink black tea is when it’s hot, as the Covid-19 virus does not sustain at temperatures higher than 30°C to 36°C. He explained that the thermal effect will be an addition to the already existing antiviral properties of black tea. However, a fact check conducted by AFP in late March concluded that there is no scientific basis to the claim that any kind of tea could cure or prevent Covid-19 infections. The fact-check article quotes Medical Research Institute Sri Lanka (MRI) Director Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara as having told AFP that while tea may strengthen immunity, there is “no research” on the benefits of drinking tea for Covid-19 patients. “While drinking tea can be beneficial for one’s health, it cannot be touted as a preventive measure or a treatment in the case of Covid-19. The only way to minimise infection, as recognised by other international health agencies, is social distancing, following proper hand hygiene, and refraining from touching one’s eyes, mouth, and nose,” Dr. Bandara had said. The article goes on to say that Sri Lankan Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Registrar of Community Medicine Dr. Ashan Pathirana and a spokesperson for the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka had also refuted the claim. However, following the release of the TRI research, the SLTB devised a plan to promote Ceylon black tea globally as an authentic premium wellness drink that could prevent Covid-19 infections by improving the immune system. The strategy was formulated by SLTB Chairman Jayampathi Molligoda in order to boost the popularity of Ceylon tea in international markets and bring in foreign exchange which is desperately needed by Sri Lanka’s coronavirus-hit economy. Molligoda stated that they planned to go for a campaign that promoted tea as a wellness range, while looking at Germany, which is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest black tea markets, for the campaign. He went on to state that the SLTB is planning to export black tea to Egypt, Pakistan, and the UK at the moment, along with other products. He also added that at a time where doctors around the world advise people to cut down on soft drink and cold beverage consumption, Ceylon tea is an ideal substitute, encouraging people to drink up to three cups of tea per day. According to Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC CEO Dilhan Fernando, the health benefits of tea are nothing new to them, as for centuries tea has been known for its unique levels of antioxidants and was first known as a medicine. He explained that what is new is the research done by India, which was then further validated by another research study in Taiwan, that there is a very strong possibility that theaflavins may inhibit Covid-19 in the lungs. “What the Government is proposing to do makes eminent sense because tea has always been a beverage that has equally been about pleasure and wellness. And today, there is nothing more relevant to wellness in any food or beverage category. Therefore, where our country’s tea and cinnamon are concerned, we need to be expressing these benefits because these are what make our products unique,” he said. Fernando explained that they reviewed the first part of the marketing campaign last week (9) and that it was a digitally focused campaign, which had then been refined to fit financial constraints and was going to be good enough to attract international markets. He went on to state that the campaign is expected to be out in the next two to three weeks and is hoping to have a quick response in terms of budget approvals. While there are no analytics to show the amount of interest garnered by the findings, Fernando stated that what is happening around the world is a general acknowledgement that tea is good for one’s health. He explained that around five to six weeks ago, Dilmah put out tutorials explaining the health benefits of tea that aid the immune system. “There is a lot of potency where tea and human health are concerned; so our focus has always been on quality because that is connected with the health benefits. In tea freshness and the purity of origin, all of these factors are directly connected to the antioxidant richness of the tea. So what we have always stood for as a Sri Lankan company is offering pure Ceylon tea, packed fresh and supplied directly to international consumers, while always being based on the knowledge that tea not only has great flavour, but also has incredible potency in human health,” Fernando explained. Furthermore, It is notable that during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan on 6 February, at the height of the epidemic in China, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gifted a consignment of Ceylon black tea to China to fight the epidemic as a gesture of goodwill. SLTB Global Campaign Consultant De Alwis explained that the SLTB with the assistance of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has currently used the 67 Sri Lankan foreign missions around the world to reach out to those countries. He went on to state that they sent all their scientific data, tabloids, and media releases to the missions to post on their websites and social media accounts such as Twitter, and are currently in the process of pushing social media clips through their advertising agencies. According to De Alwis, Sri Lanka’s two competitors in black tea are facing their own issues, giving the country the opportunity to bridge the gap they have created. Taking India as his first example, De Alwis explained that it is one of Sri Lanka’s biggest competitors and is currently on lockdown till 21 April; it may even take a few more weeks for them to normalise their trade, meaning that no tea would be coming out of India for the entire month of April. He then stated that while another competitor, Africa, is one of the countries least affected by the virus, their biggest importing countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, and the UK are having problems. “Despite all the issues we are facing, we are doing fine compared to so many other countries. So if we can start supplying and try to close the gap created by these other countries, we can make an opportunity out of this bad situation,” he noted. While there is not yet robust scientific evidence specifically around the effects of black tea on the immune system and its relationship to Covid-19, taking some specific supplements may improve your overall health and is not likely to be harmful if taken as directed by medical professionals.