The habit of drinking tea is related to cardiovascular health, and a recent research result showed that relatively significant benefits were observed in the group that drank 6 to 8 cups a day. It has been suggested that plant-based components such as flavonoids contained in black and green tea help maintain vascular function. However, drinking a lot of tea does not necessarily mean better heart health, and caution is needed as the health impact can vary depending on the type and additives.

◆ Benefits observed in the group drinking 6 to 8 cups... Attention to flavonoids in black tea

According to the UK's Daily Mail on the 21st (local time), researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China investigated the link between tea consumption habits and vascular diseases in about 486,000 people. As a result of a follow-up observation for about 9 years, differences related to cardiovascular health appeared depending on the amount of tea consumed, and relatively significant benefits were observed in the group that drank 6 to 8 cups a day.

Flavonoids are cited as the background for how tea can have a positive effect on cardiovascular health. Flavonoids are compounds found in plants, and their effects on vascular function and blood pressure have been studied. Black tea is also rich in flavonoids, raising the possibility that it helps maintain vascular health. A 2024 study of about 2 million people also showed that people who drank a lot of black tea had a 14% lower risk of dying from heart disease than those who did not. Nutritionist Nicola Ludlam-Raine explained that flavonoids can help maintain the health and function of blood vessels, and randomized controlled trials have also shown a modest decrease in blood pressure when drinking black tea regularly.

However, these research results alone cannot definitively prove that tea directly prevents cardiovascular disease. Large-scale observational studies show the correlation between tea drinking habits and health status, and the possibility that other lifestyle habits or diets influenced the results should also be considered.

◆ Green tea and rooibos tea also attract attention; caution is advised for licorice tea regarding blood pressure increase

In addition to black tea, green tea is also being studied in relation to cardiovascular health. Green tea contains an antioxidant called catechins, among which epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a component of interest in vascular health research. However, it is difficult to conclude that simply drinking green tea significantly improves heart health. Professor Jeremy Pearson of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) explained that the body rapidly breaks down EGCG, meaning the effects of green tea should not be overstated.

Drinking a lot of tea does not necessarily improve heart health, and caution is needed as the effects on health can vary depending on the type and additives. Getty Images Bank If you want to reduce caffeine intake, rooibos tea can be considered as an alternative. Rooibos tea is caffeine-free, and some studies have observed decreases in cholesterol levels and oxidative stress. However, these results do not prove the heart disease prevention effect of rooibos tea. On the other hand, licorice tea requires caution in consumption. Glycyrrhizin contained in licorice affects the balance of sodium and potassium in the body, which can raise blood pressure or cause heart rhythm problems. In particular, people with high blood pressure or kidney disease need to be careful before drinking licorice tea frequently.

◆ Adding sugar increases sugar intake; overall diet is more important than tea

When drinking tea, you should check not only the type but also the additives. Adding multiple teaspoons of sugar can increase your sugar intake. Tea with milk can also be part of a balanced diet, but rather than relying solely on the effects of the tea itself, additives and the overall daily diet should be considered together. Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation (Note: translated from the article's reference to Dell Stanford), emphasized that there is no single food or drink that affects heart health, and that an overall diet and lifestyle are more important. Ultimately, tea can be part of a healthy diet depending on the type and consumption method, but drinking a large amount of a specific tea cannot be regarded as preventing cardiovascular disease. Reducing sugar intake and combining a balanced diet and regular physical activity are the fundamentals of heart health management.

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