Black Tea Lowers CHD Risk

TUCSON, Ariz.--Adults who consume high quantities of black tea have a 50-percent lowered risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared to non-tea drinkers, according to research from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Researchers, led by Iman A. Hakim, M.D., Ph.D., published their findings in the January issue of Preventive Medicine (36:64-70, 2003) (www.elsevier.com/inca/publications/store/6/2/2/9/3/4/).

Hakim et al investigated the link between CHD and tea consumption in 3,430 men and women, aged 30 to 70 years, in Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi Coronary Artery Disease Study. About 90 percent of participants reported daily consumption of black tea, with a mean consumption of 5.6 cups for men and 3.4 cups for women. Among adult Saudis, researchers found an inverse relationship between black tea consumption and CHD, including a 50-percent risk reduction among those consuming more than 6 cups of tea per day compared to those consuming lower amounts of tea, independent of any risk factors such as smoking, obesity or diet.

According to the researchers, the antioxidant polyphenols in tea may protect against hypertension or stroke. While the research supports several studies that have found an inverse relationship between tea consumption and CHD, Hakim and colleagues suggested further studies are necessary to determine the biological effects of tea.