Drinking Tea May Reduce Heart Risks

Study: Tea Drinkers Have Half The Risk Of Heart Attack

Chalk up one more benefit to drinking tea -- it may save your heart.

Tea is a rich source of dietary flavonoids, which have been shown to have a protective effect against heart disease.

A Dutch study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that tea drinkers had a substantially lower risk of heart attacks than nondrinkers.

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Researchers studied nearly 5,000 Dutch adults, gathering information on their diets, smoking status, education level, and intakes of alcohol and caffeine. Participants who were heavy tea drinkers had roughly half the risk of heart attack of non-tea drinkers, and less than one-third the risk of a fatal attack.

Tea drinking is generally associated with a healthy diet and lifestyle, and with less smoking. Thus, part of the reduced risk of heart attacks in this older population could be due to healthy habits that go along with tea drinking, such as higher consumption of fruits and vegetables containing antioxidants.

Previous Stories:

• April 8, 2002: Tea May Ward Off Some Cancers
• March 7, 2002: New Tea Has Benefits Of Broccoli
• January 21, 2002: Study: Tea, Chocolate Good For Heart
• December 10, 2001: White Tea Shows Surprising Benefits

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