Two Cups of Black Tea Each Day Linked to Lower Risk of Death

 

Drinking black tea, at least two cups a day, may help you live a longer, healthier life, according to a new research from the National Institutes of Health, U.S. 

The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that black tea drinkers had a "modestly" lower risk of death from all causes, as well as death from cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke. 

The participants of the study were followed for about 11 years. It was found that those who drank at least two cups of tea per day had a 9%–13% lower risk of death from all causes, compared to those who did not drink tea at all.

While past evidence has linked tea consumption with greater longevity and these studies predominantly evaluated green tea, typically in Asian populations, the new research suggests that the health benefits of black tea are similar to those of green tea, and that even higher levels of black tea consumption can be part of a healthy diet. 

The findings held true regardless of how people enjoyed their tea—hot or cold, with or without milk or sugar—and how quickly or slowly they were able to metabolize the caffeine. 

The health benefits appeared to cap off around two cups of tea a day. Although more tea was not necessarily harmful, there were not any added health benefits.

Black tea contains high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, which are known to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, according to Dana Hunnes, senior clinical dietitian at UCLA Medical Center, and assistant professor at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

"It is likely that what this study was seeing may be related to the effect of these phytonutrients and compounds in tea that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and therefore lower the risk of all-cause mortality," Hunnes said. 

Both inflammation and oxidative stress damage our cells and may eventually lead to cancer. 

Hunnes added that inflammation has also been found to be a contributing factor for many other health conditions, too, like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. 

"Inflammation is affected significantly by what we eat, what we drink, and whatever else we ingest," said Hunnes, "which is why so many conditions are now considered 'nutrition-related' chronic disease." 

In consuming foods and beverages that are rich in phytonutrients (compounds produced by plants), you can give your body a nutritious boost by enhancing immunity and repairing and protecting against cellular damage. 

Consuming flavonoids and polyphenols specifically can help improve blood vessel function, lower bad cholesterol and manage insulin sensitivity, among other things, according to Guy L. Mintz, director of cardiovascular health and lipidology at Northwell Health's Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital. 

However, as tea contains a lot of caffeine, some people may be sensitive to its stimulating effects. It is also a diuretic and too much may lead to dehydration, warned by Dr. Mintz.