New Study Shows Link Between Tea Drinking and Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Wednesday, 18 August 2010 by Ilona
Image via: www.sxc.hu
At Bigelow Tea, we know that tea is a soothing and comforting beverage, in which we happily imbibe for its flavor alone. But it’s a great thing when science provides a new look at the healthy properties in tea!
A long-term study in The Netherlands that appeared in the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, has some fascinating findings. With an enormous group of participants, the study found that those who drank black tea experienced lowered risk of death by heart disease. The results suggest that the protective benefits in tea were significant with at least two cups of tea a day, but that three-to-six cups of tea a day appeared to offer even greater protection!
The exhaustive 13-year study summarized that among the 37,000 participants, those who drank three to six cups of tea a day had a 45% lower risk of death from heart disease, as compared to those who drank one or fewer cups a day. Researchers suggest that it’s the powerful antioxidants called flavonoids found in both black and green tea (and coffee) that may explain the protective effect seen in the study.
The study’s findings are summed up nicely in a recent ABC Medical Minute, with Dr. Timothy Johnson. Rachel K Johnson, PhD, nutritionist and a professor at the University of Vermont, comments on the study that “The perception has been that green tea is the ‘healthy’ tea, but this study suggests black tea may be just a good for the heart.”
It was noted that none of the participants in the study had known heart disease when the study began; the results then do not indicate any protective benefits for those already suffering with the condition. However, these findings of benefits from the properties found in tea, is great news, for both green tea and black tea lovers everywhere!