Regular tea consumption is associated with an 11% lower risk of vascular diseases, according to a large observational study of 485,934 adults in China published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Researchers tracked participants for a median of 9.05 years, recording 14,863 cases of vascular conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary heart disease, and peripheral artery disease.
Six to Eight Cups Daily Linked to Lowest Estimated Risk
Among study participants who drank tea at least weekly, the lowest estimated risk of vascular disease occurred at approximately six to eight cups per day. Medical News Today reported that moderate-strength tea was also associated with the lowest observed risk when compared to weak or strong brews. Experts emphasize that these observational findings show an association rather than proving that tea directly prevents disease. Dell Stanford, a senior dietitian with the British Heart Foundation, told Medical News Today that the public should not treat six to eight cups as a rigid recommended intake.
Black Tea Shows More Consistent Reductions Than Green Tea
The type of tea consumed altered the findings. Black tea showed more consistent links with a reduced risk of vascular disease than green tea. Christopher Yi, a board-certified vascular surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today that tea contains polyphenols and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, improve blood vessel function, and decrease oxidative stress.
Burning Hot Temperatures Linked to Sixteen Percent Higher Risk
Temperature changed the health associations significantly. Participants who preferred their tea “burning hot” faced a 16% higher risk of vascular disease compared to those who did not drink tea. Medical News Today reported that researchers relied on the subjective perceptions of participants rather than measuring exact liquid temperatures. While very hot beverages can expose tissues in the mouth and digestive tract to high temperatures, the study did not establish a specific biological mechanism or a precise temperature threshold for harm.
Combining Tea Drinking with Exercise Reduces Heart Disease Risk
The lowest overall vascular disease risk appeared among participants who combined regular tea drinking with high physical activity and avoided smoking. Individuals sharing this specific lifestyle profile experienced roughly a 45% lower heart disease risk than those with none of those habits. The study authors wrote that the favorable combination of habitual tea consumption, non-current smoking, and high physical activity was associated with the lowest risk across the population.
Does the Study Prove Tea Prevents Vascular Disease?
Does the study prove that drinking tea prevents vascular disease?
No. Because the research was observational, it identified connections between tea drinking and health outcomes but could not establish that tea itself directly caused the reduced disease risk.
Did the study look at whether adding milk to tea changed the results?
Yes. Black tea with or without milk showed more consistent links with lower vascular disease risk than green tea.
How long were the study participants tracked?
Researchers followed the 485,934 adult participants in China for a median of 9.05 years, recording 14,863 vascular disease cases during that timeframe.
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