For years, research in populations has suggested that tea drinking is associated with improved cardiovascular health. Recently, both clinical and population studies have found similar positive cardiovascular effects among people who include tea as a part of their daily diets.

Research presented at the American College of Cardiology 50th Annual Scientific Session revealed:

  • A combined analysis of 13 published studies found an average estimated 11 percent lower rate of heart attacks among study participants who drank three or more cups of tea per day. According to the researcher, Dr. Lenore Arab of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, that 11 percent could translate to a potential preventive impact for 100,000-110,000 people were all persons at risk to increase their intakes by 3 cups/day. This estimate is based on an average number of 1.1 million heart attacks per year in the United States.
  • A study involving people diagnosed with coronary artery disease reported that subjects who drank four cups of black tea per day showed improved blood vessel function. These results suggest that drinking tea may improve an important underlying abnormality of blood vessel function that may be related to coronary artery disease.