t 80% of all U.S. households. But the relationship between tea/coffee consumption and coronary heart disease death/stroke has been unclear.A recent study published in the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Journal in June of 2010, looked at the connections of both coffee and tea consumption with coronary heart disease death and stroke as well as all cause mortality. Approximately 37,000 participants were followed for 13 years. The participants were assessed for stroke, heart disease death and all cause mortality. It was found that high tea consumption (6.0 cups) per day was associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease death. These findings were statistically significant. However, in moderate coffee drinkers the results only suggested a slight risk reduction for coronary heart disease death and were not a statistically significant reduction. Neither tea nor coffee were found to have an effect on stroke nor do they have an effect on all cause mortality.
The heart benefits of tea consumption may be explained by the antioxidants found in tea called flavonoids. Flavonoids are also found in dark chocolate, blueberries, red grapes and red wine. Next time you plan to stop for a morning drink on your way to work or have a friend over, serve up some heart healthy tea. Tea is enjoyed all year round as it cools you down in the summertime and warms you up in the winter months.
de Koning Gans, J. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association, August, 2010
