When you think of a cup of tea, does the builder’s tea come to mind? Although a British favourite, it’s a different type of tea that is associated with a 20 percent risk reduction in heart disease. A research paper – published in the European Society of Cardiology – stated habitual tea consumption was linked with longer life expectancy. The conclusion was based on an analysis of 100,902 participants who had no history of heart attacks, stroke, or cancer.
Participants were classified into two groups: habitual tea drinkers and never, or non-habitual tea drinkers.
To be put into the habitual tea drinker group, people need to have a cup of tea three or more times in a week.
The participants’ health were followed, on average, for around seven years from the beginning of the study.
Data revealed that habitual tea drinkers had a “20 percent lower risk of incident heart disease and stroke”.
In addition, habitual tea drinkers had a “15 percent decreased risk of all-cause dearth”.
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Dr Dongfeng Gu, the senior author of the study, said: “The protective effects of tea were most pronounced among the consistent habitual tea drinking group.
“Mechanism studies have suggested that the main bioactive compounds in tea, namely polyphenols, are not stored in the body long-term.
“Thus, frequent tea intake over an extended period may be necessary for the cardioprotective effect.”
In a sub analysis of the type of tea, it was green tea that saw the most benefits.
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Dr Gu, based at Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, added: “In our study population, 49 percent of habitual tea drinkers consumed green tea most frequently.”
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Green tea
WebMD stated green tea is rich in catechins – a type of antioxidant – that fights and may prevent cell damage.
Medical News Today explained green tea is “made from unoxidised leaves” and is one of the less processed types of teas.
Being highly unprocessed means it contains the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols.
High levels of polyphenols are thought to help kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing.
Furthermore, green tea consumption has been linked to reduced stroke risk and lower cholesterol.
As common sense details, no one thing is going to help you live a longer life.
However, a combination of healthy choices really do build an impact on a person’s longevity.
Simple swaps, such as choosing green tea over a builder’s brew, can help improve your health.
Dietary adjustments, such as eating a more plants-based diet, will also have a good effect on your health.
The British Nutrition Foundation explained a healthy plant-based diet involves the following:
- High consumption of vegetables, fruit and wholegrains
- Some low-fat dairy products (or dairy alternatives), seafood, nuts, seeds, legumes
- Some unsaturated fat
- Lower intakes of fatty/processed meats, refined grains, sugar-sweetened foods and beverages
- Lower salt and lower saturated fat content
An emphasis on plant-based diet is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes.
Source: Daily Express
