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Science

Could Your Daily Cup of Tea Protect Your Heart?

A study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine tracking nearly 486,000 adults over nine years revealed that habitual tea consumption is associated with an 11% lower risk of developing cardiovascular and vascular diseases, with six to eight cups daily offering the optimal protective benefit.

Nilakshi Barman | | 2 min read

Could Your Daily Cup of Tea Protect Your Heart?
Image courtesy: Shutterstock

In This Story

In Brief

  1. Regular tea consumers demonstrated an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral artery conditions.
  2. The lowest risk of vascular disease was observed among participants who drank approximately six to eight cups of tea per day.
  3. Black tea demonstrated a more consistent protective association against vascular disease than green tea.
  4. Consuming "burning hot" tea was linked to higher risk, while combining moderate-strength tea drinking with high physical activity and non-smoking yielded the greatest heart benefits.


Drinking several cups of tea throughout the day may do more than offer a moment of comfort—it could actively bolster long-term vascular health. A massive observational study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine found that regular tea drinkers have an 11% lower risk of developing heart and blood vessel diseases compared to non-tea drinkers.

The research team tracked 485,934 adults in China over a median follow-up period of nine years, recording cases of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular conditions like stroke, and peripheral artery disease.


The Ideal Amount and Tea Types

The study highlighted a clear pattern regarding daily volume. Among weekly tea drinkers, the lowest overall vascular disease risk was seen in individuals consuming roughly six to eight cups per day.

Interestingly, researchers observed that black tea demonstrated a more consistent inverse association with vascular disease than green tea. Nutrition experts attribute the protective benefits of tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) to their high concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids—specifically catechins—which support vascular lining function and reduce inflammation.


Temperature Matters and Broader Lifestyle Synergy

While the findings strongly support adding moderate-strength tea to a balanced diet, researchers issued a caution regarding drinking temperature. Participants who routinely consumed "burning hot" tea showed an elevated risk of vascular complications, suggesting that excessive heat may undermine the beverage's protective mechanisms.

The authors emphasized that tea consumption works best alongside broader healthy habits. The overall lowest vascular risk in the multi-year study was recorded among individuals who combined habitual tea drinking with high physical activity levels and a non-smoking lifestyle.



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