In The News: More Evidence Links Drinking Black Tea with Good Cardiovascular Health

Reader Contribution by Justine Patton
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More research has emerged suggesting that black tea, which accounts for nearly 78 percent of worldwide tea consumption, can help prevent cardiovascular disease, according to a new study appearing in the journal Preventative Medicine.

Researchers from Scotland and the United States conducted the study, which broke 87 participants ages 25 to 60 into two groups. The first group drank three cups of black tea per day for 12 weeks; the second consumed three cups of hot water per day. At the end of the study, those who drank black tea enjoyed an 18.4 percent reduction in fasting blood sugar levels and a 36 percent decrease in triglyceride levels.

High triglycerides have been associated with an increased risk for heart disease and may even be a sign of metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess fat around the waist, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol and high triglycerides. This is a serious condition that can increase your risk for diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

Black tea contains a significant amount of antioxidants that help prevent heart disease and stroke.
Photo by A Girl With Tea/Courtesy
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While the study only tested whether black tea was an effective prevention method for heart disease, the researchers believe it is likely that all tea varieties–black, white, oolong and green–can offer the same positive effects in heart disease risk reduction.

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard about the health benefits of tea, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Tea has been celebrated and cultivated for thousands of years, and it has been grown in the United States since the 19th century. Its antioxidants and disease-fighting capabilities make it more than delicious alternative to coffee–they make it a healthy, invigorating beverage that can add years to your life.

For more information on the health benefits of all types of tea check out the article “Leaves of Fortune in Your Tea Cup.”  

  • Published on May 30, 2012
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