Study of Nearly 500,000 Adults Links Regular Tea Drinking to 11 Percent Lower Risk of Heart Disease
A nine-year study of 485,934 adults in China found that drinking tea at least three days a week was associated with an 11 percent lower risk of vascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Researchers found that moderate-strength black or green tea offered the most benefit, while tea consumed at scalding temperatures was linked to a 16 percent higher risk. The findings were published in the Journal of Internal Medicine in October 2026.
A large study tracking nearly 486,000 adults in China over nine years has found that regular tea drinkers face an 11 percent lower risk of developing vascular diseases compared to those who rarely drink tea.
The research, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine in October 2026, analyzed data from 485,934 adults who were free of cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. Over the follow-up period, 14,863 participants developed conditions including heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary heart disease, and peripheral artery disease.
Participants who drank tea at least three days a week showed the reduced risk. Both black and green tea, which come from the same plant, were associated with lower cardiovascular risk, though black tea showed more consistent results across different conditions.
The study found that moderate-strength tea offered the most benefit. Very strong concentrations did not appear to add further protection.
One of the study's more striking findings involved temperature. Tea consumed at "burning hot" temperatures was linked to a 16 percent higher risk of vascular disease compared to non-drinkers. Researchers noted that very hot liquids can damage tissue in the mouth and throat and have previously been linked to esophageal and gastric cancers.
The lowest estimated risk was found among people who drank roughly six to eight cups per day, though researchers cautioned against treating that as a universal target. Caffeine sensitivity, sleep quality, and the addition of sugar or milk can all affect whether tea consumption is beneficial for a given individual.
The study is observational, meaning it cannot prove that tea directly causes the reduction in risk. Other lifestyle factors, including physical activity and diet, may also play a role.
