A 9-year study of 485,000 Chinese adults found tea drinkers had an 11% lower risk of vascular disease, but the effect varies by tea type and preparation.
Study on tea and heart health
A study published in October 2026 in the Journal of Internal Medicine examined the habits of 485,934 Chinese adults over a period of more than nine years. During this time, 14,863 participants developed cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, peripheral artery disease, and pulmonary heart disease.Tea consumption and risk reduction
Regular tea drinkers were found to have an 11% lower risk of vascular disease compared to non-drinkers. However, the study notes that this association does not prove causation, as cardiovascular diseases depend on many factors, including smoking and physical activity levels, which tea drinkers may share with others.Types of tea and their effects
The study suggests that not all ways of preparing tea produce the same results. Black tea, which undergoes fermentation, showed a more consistent protective effect compared to green tea, which contains catechins, antioxidants that are transformed into other compounds during fermentation.Tea preparation matters
The study also highlights that the risk reduction is observed only when tea is not consumed too strong or scalding. This suggests that the way tea is brewed and consumed may influence its potential health benefits.
