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Often most of my patients ask me if they should be taking green tea because of its benefits to heart health. There has been much research about the benefits of drinking both green and black tea for the cardiovascular system and though none of them has been able to establish a direct link between cause and effect, the association has been borne out by many studies. Now a latest study in the UK says that regularly drinking tea for many years may lower your risk of dying from heart disease. It says that adults who drink up to two cups of tea a day for more than seven years have a 19 per cent lower risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke than those who drink less, or no tea at all. HOW DOES TEA HELP HEART HEALTH? Tea is rich in heart-protective compounds that fight inflammation and cell damage, which are good for repairing and restoring functioning of blood vessels. Usually black and green tea are associated with a lower risk of heart attack and stroke because of antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols. A 2018 study that tested the effects of black tea on rats showed that those in the test group that ingested a certain antioxidant polyphenol found in black tea, recorded a 10.39 percent reduction in cholesterol, 10.84 per cent reduction in LDL cholesterol, and 6.6 percent reduction in triglycerides. A compound in green tea could help break up plaques that are linked to blockages. Some studies have shown that drinking green tea can also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. That’s because it has catechins, which prevent thrombosis and platelet hyperactivity. As a diuretic, urination relieves you of blood pressure. BUT ARE YOU HAVING TEA THE RIGHT WAY? While tea has compounds, you would really have to drink a lot of it to see discernible benefits. But a habitual routine may help you too. That’s because polyphenols are not stored in the body long-term and drinking tea over a period of time may be necessary for their cardioprotective properties to take effect. Tea also has caffeine and while this is lower than coffee, you have to watch out for excessive intake. Black tea has the highest amount of caffeine out of any type of tea, a cup containing 47 milligrams (mg), green tea about 28 mg. So do not over-indulge. Besides, tea has tannins, a class of polyphenols which might upset your digestive system and affect absorption of iron from foods. Also do not boil your tea as many do in India. Just soak the tea in heated water between 80 to 90 degrees Celsius. Overheating destroys the beneficial compounds. Just soaking and steeping tea keeps all the compounds in. If you enjoy drinking tea, do not add sugar or milk as each adds calories to your cup. This can lead to weight gain and push up cholesterol levels. Any kind of sugary drinks, and this includes the sugary tea that Indians love, increases the risk of dying from coronary heart disease. (Dr Bhagwat is interventional cardiologist, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai ) None
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