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Drinking tea regularly may be linked to a lower risk of heart disease, according to a new study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Researchers found that people who drank tea had an 11% lower risk of vascular disease than those who did not drink tea.
The study examined 485,934 adults in China over a median period of 9.05 years. During the study, researchers recorded 14,863 cases of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary heart disease, and peripheral artery disease.
Study Links Tea Drinking to Lower Heart Disease Risk
Researchers examined how habitual tea consumption related to the risk of developing vascular diseases. Their findings showed that regular tea drinkers had a lower risk of these conditions than non-tea drinkers.
The lowest estimated risk appeared among people who drank approximately six to eight cups of tea daily among weekly tea drinkers.
However, the findings do not prove that tea directly prevents heart disease. Other lifestyle habits and health factors may also influence a person’s risk.
Black Tea May Offer Heart Health Benefits
The study found that black tea had more consistent associations with lower vascular disease risk than green tea.
Researchers also examined tea strength and drinking temperature. Moderate-strength tea was associated with the lowest risk, while drinking tea described as burning hot was associated with a higher risk of vascular disease.
These findings suggest that tea preparation and drinking habits may be relevant to health. Letting tea cool before drinking can also help prevent burns from extremely hot beverages.
Exercise and Smoking Also Affect Vascular Health
Tea drinking was not the only lifestyle factor associated with vascular disease risk. Researchers also considered participants’ smoking status and physical activity levels.
The combination of regular tea consumption, not currently smoking, and high physical activity was associated with the lowest vascular risk.
These results highlight the importance of considering overall lifestyle habits when discussing heart health. Regular physical activity and avoiding smoking are important steps toward reducing cardiovascular risk.
What the Findings Mean for Tea Drinkers
The study adds to research examining how everyday food and drink choices relate to long-term health. However, it does not establish that drinking six to eight cups of tea daily will prevent heart disease.
People should also consider caffeine intake, individual health needs, and added sugar when choosing beverages. Those managing health conditions or taking medication may benefit from discussing significant dietary changes with a healthcare professional.
Overall, the findings suggest that regular tea consumption may be associated with a lower risk of vascular disease. Further research is needed to establish whether tea directly reduces this risk and to understand how different types of tea may affect cardiovascular health.
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