Drink Tea to Promote Heart Health

Studies of various human populations found that people who regularly drink three or more cups of Black Tea per day have a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. So how does this work? Well clinical studies indicate that the consumption of Black Tea may improve some of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. These factors are your cholesterol level, the function of your blood vessels, and the reduction in oxidative damage (sounds like humans can rust too).

Tea contains flavonoids which occur naturally in tea and are believed to have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals, which scientists believe damage elements in the body over time. Some of these elements are genetic material and lipids which can contribute to chronic heart disease.

Statistics are always a great way to drive the point home, so here are some convincing results from studies that have been conducted around the world. This is the kind of stuff that can make anyone drink more tea. It is an easy change to your daily diet that can have a big impact.

• A study of 3,400 plus men and women aged 30 to 70 from the Saudi Coronary Artery Disease Study were examined and 6.3% were found to have indications of coronary heart disease. They found that individuals who drank more that six cups of tea per day had significantly lower prevalence of coronary heart disease than non-tea drinkers (even after adjusting for age and smoking). Researchers also found that individuals drinking six or more cups of Black Tea per day had decreased serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.
• Dutch researchers found that participants in their study who drank one or two cups of Black Tea a day had a 46% lower risk of severe aortic atherosclerosis, which is a strong indicator of cardiovascular disease. Individuals that drank more than four cups of tea a day had a 69% lower risk.
• A Harvard study examined 340 men and women who had suffered heart attacks and compared them to a matched control group. They found that those who drank a cup or more of Black Tea had a 44% reduction in the risk of heart attack as compared to non-tea drinkers.
• Another Harvard study of 1,900 people found that individuals that consumed tea during the year prior to a heart attack were up to 44% more likely to survive over the three to four years following the heart attack.

It is never too late to make some changes to promote heart health, and it’s as easy as enjoying a cup of tea a few times a day. With statistics like these you should have a whole new appreciation for drinking tea.

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