In a groundbreaking meta-analysis combining data from 20 studies, researchers found a significant association between long-term tea consumption and a 19% reduction in the risk of death from heart disease. . [1].

Heart disease, responsible for an alarming one-third of global deaths in 2019, remains a major public health concern, according to the World Health Organization [2].

The comprehensive study, “Long-term consumption of six beverages and cardiovascular disease-related mortality,” scrutinized the effects of different beverages over a period of 6 to 40 years.

Some of the beverages evaluated include sugary and artificially sweetened teas, coffee, 100% fruit juices, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Tea has emerged as a clear frontrunner in promoting heart health, with studies demonstrating a 19% reduction in the risk of death from heart-related diseases such as heart attack and stroke. This benefit spread to both men and women, making tea drinking a universally preferred habit.

Coffee consumption showed an even greater reduction in mortality risk by 37%, but this effect was only observed in men and had no significant effect in women.

Conversely, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages have been found to be harmful to heart health, with increased intake correlated with increased risk of death. Interestingly, high alcohol intake was associated with increased stroke risk in both men and women.

At the same time, increased sugar-sweetened beverage intake was associated with a 31% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

The authors proposed several mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective properties of tea. These include anti-inflammatory properties, insulin-sensitizing properties, and polyphenol properties that regulate glucose and cholesterol levels.

Dr. Carrie Ruxton, a nutritionist with the Tea Advisory Board, emphasized the importance of this study and the importance of establishing long-term tea-drinking habits from early adulthood or even childhood. [3].

The meta-analysis evaluated the effects of tea consumption on heart health, with a total of 113,673 participants.

Of those in this group, 3,874 died from coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, or heart failure during a follow-up period of 6 to 40 years.

This study adds to previous research showing a positive association between tea consumption and cardiovascular health. [4]. Remarkably, each additional cup (approximately 240 mL) of tea daily reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 4%, highlighting the progressive benefits of tea consumption.

Conversely, based on data from 896,005 participants, researchers found that each additional sugar-sweetened beverage (approximately 355 mL) increased the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 8%.

Although the study showed the benefits of tea, it also highlighted the lack of conclusive evidence regarding the effects of fruit juices and energy drinks on heart health.

The results of this comprehensive meta-analysis provide compelling evidence of tea’s remarkable ability to protect heart health.

As Dr Ruxton summarized, the nation’s love affair with tea has measurable benefits for cardiovascular health, reaffirming the wisdom of taking the time to enjoy a cup of tea.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10904171/
[2] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
[3] https://www.teaadvisorypanel.com/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3123419/