Drinking tea is associated with reduced risk of mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer according to a new meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Nutrition.[1]
Commenting on this new research, dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton from the Tea Advisory Panel notes: “This was a meta-analysis of 18 prospective studies which evaluated the influence of black and green tea consumption on all causes of death, cardio vascular disease and cancer.[2]
“With regards to cardio vascular disease (CVD) mortality, overall risk was reduced by 12% for those black tea drinkers recognised as the largest consuming group of the infusion. The highest green tea consumers had a significant 33% reduction in CVD mortality compared with consumers with the lowest tea consumption habits. For cancer deaths, the overall risk was reduced by 21% in the highest tea consuming group compared with the lowest (black tea).
“Both black and green tea reduced all-cause mortality. High black tea consumption drinkers compared with low consumption tea drinkers reduced the risk of death by 10% for those consuming black tea and 20% among those consuming green tea.
“One extra cup per day of green tea was associated with a 5 % lower risk of CVD mortality, while one extra cup of black tea was associated with an 8% lower risk of CVD mortality.
“In summary, green tea consumption was significantly associated with reduced CVD deaths and all-cause mortality, whereas black tea consumption was significantly inversely associated with death from cancer and all-cause mortality.
“Evidence is growing that tea, both black and green, is a healthy drink associated with reduced risk of disease. Black tea is a traditional drink in the UK and together with green tea can be consumed for overall well-being. So tea up for good health.”
[1] Tang J, Zheng JS, Fang L, Jin Y, Cai W, Li D. Tea consumption and mortality of all cancers, CVD and all causes: a meta-analysis of eighteen prospective cohort studies. Br J Nutr. 2015 Jul 23:1-11. [Epub ahead of print]
[2] Overall, there were 12,221 deaths from cancer, 11,306 from CVD and 55,528 deaths from all causes, respectively.