Tea’s antioxidants may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in several ways: by maintaining artery and vein health, lowering
total cholesterol, improving the ration of LDL to HDL cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the risk of blood clots.
High blood pressure damages blood vessels and also increases the risk of stroke. Numerous studies around the world have proven the
healthy benefits of tea
One study showed that men who drank black tea lowered their cholesterol levels. Men who drank five cups
of tea a day lowered their cholesterol levels more than those who drank one cup a day. Women tea drinkers also lowered their cholesterol
levels. The more tea people drank, the more their systolic blood pressure lowered. Researchers also concluded that tea drinkers were
less likely to die from heart attack than non-tea drinkers.
-The Little Book of Healthy Teas
Tea may help protect the heart by
relaxing blood vessels
improving cholesterol levels, and inhibiting blood clots—which can trigger a heart attack or stroke
-Consumer
Reports
Antioxidants in tea help maintain healthy blood vessels. Flavonoids in tea help reduce blood clotting and prevent cholesterol
deposits in arteries. EGCG in green tea blocks the absorption of cholesterol by blood vessels.
Green tea contains an amino acid called
theanine, which helps reduce blood pressure. It also increases GABA, a brain chemical that has a soothing effect.
-Organic Style: The
Art of Living in Balance (March/April 2003)