MediQDrinking tea may lower heart disease risk, but temperature matters
A large study links regular tea drinking to an 11% lower risk of heart and blood vessel diseases. However, drinking tea extremely hot was linked to higher risk.
In short
- Regular tea drinking was linked to an 11% lower risk of heart and blood vessel diseases in a large study.
- Black tea and moderate-strength tea showed more consistent benefits than green tea or very strong tea.
- Drinking tea at extremely high temperatures was linked to an increased risk of vascular disease.
If you enjoy a daily cup of tea, your habit might be doing more than warming you up. A large study found that people who drink tea regularly had an 11% lower risk of heart and blood vessel diseases compared with those who did not.
Researchers followed 485,934 adults in China for a median of 9.05 years. During that time, they recorded 14,863 cases of vascular diseases—conditions affecting the heart, brain, lungs or legs by interfering with blood circulation. The lowest estimated risk occurred among people who drank roughly six to eight cups per day.
Because this was an observational study, it shows a connection between tea drinking and health outcomes. It does not prove that tea itself prevents disease.
Does the type of tea matter?
The researchers found differences between tea varieties. Black tea showed more consistent links to a reduced risk of vascular disease than green tea. Both come from the same plant, but black tea undergoes extensive oxidation, a chemical process that changes the compounds in the leaves.
Tea contains natural plant compounds called polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants can help limit certain types of cellular damage. However, the study does not establish whether these compounds explain the difference between black and green tea.
Strength also appeared to play a role. Participants who drank tea of moderate strength had the lowest associated risk, suggesting stronger tea is not necessarily better.
Is very hot tea safe?
Perhaps the most surprising finding involved temperature. While regular tea consumption was generally linked to a lower risk, drinking tea described as "burning hot" was linked to an increased risk. Very hot beverages can expose tissues in the mouth and digestive tract to high temperatures. The study did not identify a specific harmful temperature or prove that hot tea directly causes vascular disease.
What about other habits?
Tea does not work alone. The analysis showed that people who regularly drank tea, were not current smokers, and maintained high levels of physical activity had the lowest vascular disease risk. Regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health by improving circulation and helping regulate blood pressure.
The authors noted that the combination of habitual tea consumption, not currently smoking, and high physical activity was collectively associated with the lowest risk. This highlights that overall lifestyle matters more than any single beverage.
The bottom line is that tea may be one helpful part of a broader pattern of healthy daily habits.
What you can do now
- Let your freshly brewed tea cool down before drinking it to avoid consuming it at burning hot temperatures.
- Brew your tea to a moderate strength rather than making it very strong, as moderate strength was linked to the lowest risk in the study.
- Combine your tea habit with regular physical activity and avoiding smoking, as this combination was linked to the lowest vascular disease risk.
- Remember that tea is not a medicine; if you have concerns about your heart or blood vessel health, consult a healthcare professional.
Questions you may have
Should I start drinking six to eight cups of tea every day?
The study found the lowest estimated risk at roughly six to eight cups per day, but this does not mean everyone should drink that much. The research shows a connection, not proof that tea directly prevents disease.
Why might black tea be different from green tea?
Both come from the same plant, but black tea undergoes extensive oxidation, a chemical process that changes the leaf compounds. The study does not establish exactly why black tea showed more consistent links to lower risk.
How hot is too hot for tea?
The study did not identify a specific harmful temperature. It only found that tea described as "burning hot" was linked to an increased risk of vascular disease.
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