Regular tea drinkers have a lower risk of vascular disease than people who do not drink tea, according to a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. The regular drinkers had an 11% lower risk of these conditions.
Researchers tracked 485,934 adults in China for about nine years. Over that period, 14,863 of them developed cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, pulmonary heart or peripheral artery disease. The lowest risk was found among those who drank roughly six to eight cups a week.
Black and green tea, strength and temperature
Black tea was more consistently associated with lower vascular disease risk than green tea. Tea of moderate strength was tied to the lowest risk. Tea served at a “burning hot” temperature, however, was linked to a higher risk.
Tea, smoking and activity combined shape risk
The authors said joint analyses found tea intake, smoking status and physical activity were together associated with vascular risk. The combination of habitual tea drinking, not currently smoking and high physical activity carried the lowest risk.
