Regular Tea Drinking Linked to Lower Heart Disease Risk, Study Suggests

A new study involving almost half a million people in China has found that drinking tea regularly is associated with an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to research published this month in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

The study followed 485,934 participants for nine years, during which 14,863 cases of cardiovascular disease were recorded. Researchers found that consistent, moderate tea consumption was linked to a lower risk of heart disease, while very hot tea was associated with a higher risk.

The lowest risk was observed among people who drank an estimated six to eight cups of tea per day. Black tea showed a more consistent association with reduced cardiovascular risk than green tea, according to the findings.

However, experts cautioned that the results do not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The study shows an association, not definitive evidence that tea alone improves heart health. Other lifestyle factors could also play a role.

The research adds to a growing body of evidence on tea and health, but further studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand the mechanisms involved.