how black tea benefit your heart?

SAKI Team April 04, 2024

Summary: Turkish tea, a variant of black tea, is not only a fundamental aspect of Turkish culture but also possesses significant cardiological benefits. This article delves into the cardiovascular advantages associated with the regular consumption of black tea, supported by a variety of scientific investigations and scholarly research.

All teas are derived from the leaves of the same plant, called Camellia sinensis. The leaves plucked from Camellia sinensis undergo different fermentation processes and result in six different tea types with distinctive aromas and colors. These are known as white tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea (referred to as red tea in China), and dark tea (pu’er tea).

Camellia sinensis is rich in polyphenolic compounds [1], commonly referred to as polyphenols. Polyphenols act as antioxidants that neutralize deleterious free radicals that might otherwise harm cellular structures and amplify the risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular ailments. Furthermore, polyphenols are believed to mitigate inflammation, a central player in numerous chronic conditions, including arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Originating from Camellia sinensis, all six tea types—dark, black, oolong, green, yellow, and white—are endowed with a rich content of polyphenols. However, the specific fermentation process unique to each tea type influences the diversity of polyphenols present. Particularly, black tea, which is among the most extensively processed types, is characterized by its unique composition of thearubigins, theaflavins, epigallocatechin gallate, amino acid L-theanine [2,3], in addition to other polyphenols such as flavonoids, flavonols, and catechins—common to other teas. This unique polyphenol composition of black tea is resulted from the prolonged fermentation process it undergoes and distinguishes black in both flavor and health benefits from other types.

Now let’s look at some scientific studies and reports conducted to investigate the effects of these polyphenols to human health!

Talking about theaflavins found exclusively in black tea, not in other teas, and comprising 3% to 6% of the black tea's polyphenolic content [4], Vermeer et al. highlighted their role [5], particularly Theaflavin-3-gallate in diminishing intestinal cholesterol absorption. By reducing the incorporation of cholesterol into these micelles, Theaflavin-3-gallate might effectively decrease the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body. This could potentially lower blood cholesterol levels, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health as high levels of cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.Thus, consuming black tea, which is rich in theaflavins including Theaflavin-3-gallate, could potentially contribute to better management of cholesterol levels and support cardiovascular health.

On the other hand, Hollman et al. concluded in their study conducted in 2010 that individuals whose diets are abundant in quercetin and similar flavanols have a reduced risk of suffering a stroke [6]. Quercetin is abundantly found in black tea.

In their 2020 study, Chung et al. demonstrated the potential cardiovascular benefits of tea flavonoids [7], revealing that each cup increase in daily black and green tea consumption correlates with a lower risk of cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and overall mortality, by 4%, 2%, 4%, and 1.5%, respectively. This finding is supported by a subsequent 2022 study by Inoue-Choi et al. [8], which observed a modest association between higher tea intake and reduced all-cause mortality risk among frequent tea drinkers, who drink 2 or more cups a day.

Further exploration into the health benefits of black tea by the National Cancer Institute reveals that regular consumption may lower the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases [9]. The Cleveland Clinic corroborates these findings, indicating that black tea can decrease bad LDL cholesterol [10], a key factor in the development of heart disease. Additionally, research highlighted by UCLA Health suggests that consuming at least two cups of black tea daily may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke (11), further highlighting its preventive capabilities against cardiovascular conditions.

Studies published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information further elaborate on the anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties of black tea [12,13]. These attributes are crucial in preventing high blood pressure and inflammation, both of which are linked to increased risk of heart disease. Harvard School of Public Health also illustrated the antioxidants found in tea play a pivotal role in coronary vasodilation, reducing blood clotting, and lowering cholesterol levels, mechanisms fundamental to thwarting cardiovascular diseases [14].

Moreover, the relationship between tea consumption and mental well-being is also noteworthy [15]. The stress-reducing effect of drinking tea can indirectly contribute to cardiovascular health by minimizing the physiological impacts of stress on the heart. This aspect highlights the holistic benefits of black tea consumption, encompassing both physical and mental health.

All these findings in several scientific studies underscore the potential of black tea as a preventative measure against cardiovascular conditions.This is particularly significant, considering the global prevalence of heart-related health issues and the importance of dietary and lifestyle interventions in their management.

In conclusion, the extensive research presented within this article illuminates the profound cardiological benefits of black tea, and its distinct and culturally significant variant, Turkish tea. From the polyphenolic richness that offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties, to the unique composition of theaflavins and flavanols, black tea emerges not just as a beverage of choice for its taste, but also as a potential ally in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases.

The academic studies mentioned above, ranging from the influence of theaflavins on cholesterol absorption to the correlation between tea flavonoids and reduced cardiovascular mortality, underscore a significant conclusion: regular consumption of black tea can play a crucial role in supporting heart health. Tea convergence of cultural heritage and science offers a compelling case for integrating Turkish tea into a heart-healthy diet, highlighting its role not just in the realm of culinary tradition but also as a valuable component of a preventative healthcare strategy against cardiovascular conditions.

References:

[1] Egbuna, C. (Ed.). (2022). Coronavirus drug discovery: Volume 2: Antiviral agents from natural products and nanotechnological applications. Elsevier.

[2] Stangl V, Lorenz M, Stangl K. The role of tea and tea flavonoids in cardiovascular health. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2006;50:218–28. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] [Ref list]

[3] Rasheed Z. Molecular evidences of health benefits of drinking black tea. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2019 May-Jun;13(3):1-3. PMID: 31123432; PMCID: PMC6512146.

[4] https://www.uclahealth.org/news/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-black-tea#:~:text=Drinking%20at%20least%20two%20cups%20of%20black%20tea%20daily%20lowers,disease%2C%20heart%20disease%20and%20stroke

[5] Vermeer, M. A., Mulder, T. P., & Molhuizen, H. O. (2008). Theaflavins from black tea, especially theaflavin-3-gallate, reduce the incorporation of cholesterol into mixed micelles. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 56(24), 12031-12036.

[6] Hollman, P. C., Geelen, A., & Kromhout, D. (2010). Dietary flavonol intake may lower stroke risk in men and women. The Journal of nutrition, 140(3), 600-604.

[7] Chung, M., Zhao, N., Wang, D., Shams-White, M., Karlsen, M., Cassidy, A., Ferruzzi, M., Jacques, P. F., Johnson, E. J., & Wallace, T. C. (2020). Dose–Response Relation between Tea Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Studies. Advances in Nutrition, 11(4), 790–814. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmaa010

[8] Inoue-Choi, M., Ramirez, Y., Cornelis, M. C., Berrington de González, A., Freedman, N. D., & Loftfield, E. (2022). Tea consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the UK Biobank: a prospective cohort study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 175(9), 1201-1211.

[9] https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/press-releases/2022/health-benefits-black-tea
National Cancer Institute. (2022). "Health Benefits of Black Tea."

[10] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/black-tea-benefits
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). "The Benefits of Black Tea."

[11] https://www.uclahealth.org/news/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-black-tea#:~:text=Drinking%20at%20least%20two%20cups%20of%20black%20tea%20daily%20lowers,disease%2C%20heart%20disease%20and%20stroke
UCLA Health. (n.d.). "6 Health Benefits of Drinking Black Tea."

[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055352/

[13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6512146/

[14] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/tea/

[15] https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/take-time-tea-health-and-well-being#:~:text=Taking%20time%20to%20strengthen%20relationships,enhance%20health%20and%20well%2Dbeing.
North Dakota State University. (n.d.). "Take Time for Tea: Health and Well-being."

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