Published in this month's European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation, the study sought to determine whether green tea had the same beneficial effect on the endothelial function of the brachial artery as black tea, previously studied. Endothelial function is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk.

A team of physicians studied 14 healthy individuals around 30 years of age "with no cardiovascular risk factors except from smoking (50 percent)."

The conclusion? "Green tea consumption has an acute beneficial effect on endothelial function ... in healthy individuals. This may be involved in the beneficial effect of tea on cardiovascular risk."