A study published on 21 October in the Journal of Internal Medicine followed 485,934 adults in China for roughly nine years, during which 14,863 participants developed heart or blood vessel disease. The team, led by Dr Zichen Ye of Peking Union Medical College, found that habitual tea drinkers had about an 11% lower risk than people who did not drink tea regularly.
The finer points will interest any tea lover. Black tea showed the most consistent link with lower risk, although green tea was also associated with benefits. Tea of moderate strength came out best, while drinking it scalding hot was tied to higher risk.
Independent experts urge caution: the research is observational, so it shows an association rather than proof that tea protects the heart, and intake was recorded only once. The everyday takeaway is a sensible one — a good cup of moderate strength, allowed to cool a little, with no added sugar.
Source: Sci.News