Regular Tea Drinking Linked to a Lower Risk of Heart and Vascular Disease

• Regular tea drinkers may have an 11% lower risk of vascular disease, including a 37% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a 17% lower risk of heart attack, according to a large study.
• Both black and green tea may support heart health when consumed without added sugar, though the findings show an association rather than prove that tea prevents disease.
• People who drank tea regularly, exercised, and didn’t smoke had the lowest risk of vascular disease.
• Drinking very hot tea was associated with a 16% higher risk of vascular disease.

People who regularly drink tea may have an 11% lower overall risk of vascular disease, a category that includes stroke, heart disease, and peripheral artery disease. The finding comes from a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Both black tea and green tea may be linked to better heart health. Still, the research shows an association only and does not prove that tea itself prevents cardiovascular disease.

The lowest overall vascular risk was seen among tea drinkers who also stayed physically active and did not smoke.

Tea linked with an 11% lower vascular disease risk

The research tracked 485,934 adults ages 30 to 79 from the China Kadoorie Biobank for an average of nine years.

Researchers found that regular tea drinkers had an 11% lower overall risk of vascular disease than people 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 association with hemorrhagic stroke or pulmonary heart disease.

Among people who drank tea at least weekly, the lowest estimated risk appeared in those consuming about 6 to 8 cups a day. Even so, the study does not establish that amount as a recommended daily intake.

Amit Blumfield, MD, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in New York City who was not involved in the research, told Healthline that the results should be viewed as observational data.

Randomized controlled trials examining black and green tea and their effects on lipids and blood pressure have shown only modest, non-significant benefits.

The study also had limitations, including self-reported tea intake and the possibility that other diet 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, stressed that the findings do not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between tea drinking 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 was associated with a 16% higher risk of vascular disease, in line with earlier studies that raised concerns about very hot beverages.

“I recommend enjoying your tea’s potential benefits by letting it cool to a comfortable sipping temperature before you drink it,” Routhenstein said.

Black tea or green tea: which is better for heart health?

The study looked at black tea, green tea, Oolong, and other varieties.

The researchers found that black tea had a more consistent association with a lower risk of vascular disease, which differs from some earlier research. However, they noted that the results do not show black tea is better than green tea, and they do not mean people 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,” she noted.

Blumfield also said that sugar or non-sugar sweeteners may alter the possible health effects of tea, so the findings should not automatically be applied to sweetened tea drinks.

Other possible health benefits of tea

Earlier research suggests black and green tea may have additional health benefits, including:

• protection against chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease
• diabetes prevention
• metabolic health support
• a lower risk of arthritis

Routhenstein added that tea may also help with focus and alertness, support hydration, and possibly contribute to metabolic health.

“Enjoying tea can be a simple way to incorporate beneficial plant compounds into your day,” she said.

Tea has long been viewed as a health-promoting habit, but more research is still needed to confirm its many potential benefits.