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People who regularly drink tea may have an 11% lower overall risk of vascular disease, which includes conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and peripheral artery disease. This is according to a study published on October 21 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Both black tea and green tea may offer heart health benefits. However, the study shows an association rather than proving that drinking tea prevents cardiovascular disease.
The lowest overall vascular risk was seen among tea drinkers who were also physically active and didn’t smoke.
Tea may help lower vascular disease risk by 11%The study followed 485,934 people ages 30–79 from the China Kadoorie Biobank for an average of 9 years.
The researchers found that regular tea drinkers had an 11% lower overall risk of vascular disease compared with those who did not regularly drink tea. They also observed a 37% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a 17% lower risk of heart attack.
There was no clear link for hemorrhagic stroke or pulmonary heart disease.
Among people who drank tea at least weekly, the lowest estimated risk was seen in those consuming approximately 6–8 cups per day. However, the findings do not establish this as a recommended daily intake.
Amit Blumfield, MD, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC who wasn’t involved in the study, told Healthline that it is important to remember this is observational data.
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of drinking black and green tea on lipids and blood pressure showed only modest, non-significant benefits.
The study also had limitations, including self-reported tea consumption and the possibility that other dietary and lifestyle factors influenced the results.
“Overall, tea seems to, maybe, have some cardiovascular benefits without a significant risk, so I favor tea consumption,” he said.
Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished who was not involved in the research, emphasized that the findings do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between drinking tea and a lower risk of vascular disease.
“Tea can be a helpful addition to a heart-healthy lifestyle, but it is not a substitute for addressing individual cardiovascular risk factors,” she said.
The researchers also found that drinking “burning hot” tea increased the risk of vascular disease by 16%, consistent with previous research raising concerns about the consumption of very hot beverages.
“I recommend enjoying your tea’s potential benefits by letting it cool to a comfortable sipping temperature before you drink it,” said Routhenstein.
Black tea vs. green tea: Which is better for your heart?The study examined black, green, Oolong, and other tea types.
The researchers found that black tea showed a more consistent association with a lower risk of vascular disease, which is contrary to some earlier research. However, they noted that these results don’t establish black tea as superior to green tea, and they don’t mean you should switch tea types.
“Both black and green tea are great choices for your heart health, and neither is definitively better than the other,” said Routhenstein.
“I recommend choosing whichever you enjoy and consuming it consistently, ideally without much added sugar,” Routhenstein noted.
Blumfield also noted that adding sugar or non-sugar sweeteners may change the potential health effects of drinking tea, so the findings should not automatically be extended to sweetened tea beverages.
Other health benefits of drinking teaSome older research suggests there may be additional health benefits to drinking both black and green tea. These benefits may include:
Routhenstein said that tea may also support focus and alertness, improve hydration status, and potentially play a role in metabolic health.
“Enjoying tea can be a simple way to incorporate beneficial plant compounds into your day,” she added.
While drinking tea has been considered a health-promoting habit since ancient times, more research is needed to confirm its various health benefits.