Black Tea Lowers CHD Risk 27250

Black Tea Lowers CHD Risk

TUCSON, Ariz.--Adults who consume high quantities of black teahave a 50-percent lowered risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared tonon-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 theJanuary issue of Preventive Medicine (36:64-70, 2003) (www.elsevier.com).

Hakim et al investigated the link between CHD and tea consumption in 3,430men and women, aged 30 to 70 years, in Saudi Arabia as part of the SaudiCoronary Artery Disease Study. About 90 percent of participants reported dailyconsumption of black tea, with a mean consumption of 5.6 cups for men and 3.4cups for women. Among adult Saudis, researchers found an inverse relationshipbetween black tea consumption and CHD, including a 50-percent risk reductionamong those consuming more than 6 cups of tea per day compared to thoseconsuming 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 protectagainst hypertension or stroke. While the research supports several studies thathave found an inverse relationship between tea consumption and CHD, Hakim andcolleagues suggested further studies are necessary to determine the biologicaleffects of tea.