The Research & Development unit at Unilever recently released a study examining the effect of black tea consumption on cardiovascular health.
Study participants recorded lower blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, and lessened arterial stiffness after drinking the equivalent of two cups of black tea daily for eight days. High blood pressure and arterial stiffening are two critical factors predicting mortality from cardiovascular disease.
The study was executed with researchers from University of L’Aquila under the direction of Davide Grassi. It was published in the February 4, 2015 issue of Nutrients under the title “Black Tea Lowers Blood Pressure and Wave Reflections in Fasted and Postprandial Conditions in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomised Study.”
This was a very small study, including only 19 patients (one of the original 20 left the study) who were given sachets to prepare a hot beverage that would either contain 150 mg of tea polphenols or a placebo. It was a double-blind, cross-over design with a 13 day period of no treatment before the beverage assignments were switched. They were told not to make any other changes to their dietary intake. Measurements were taken hourly for four hours after consuming their dose. Tests were run after fasting and also after consumption of a high fat meal. The tea polyphenols had a positive effect in both conditions.
Tea and health continues to be a rich area for research.
Source: NutraIngredients