Steeped in Science: Tea and Health

Four percent. That’s how much the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease declines with each cup of unsweetened green or black tea consumed per day, according to a review study in Advances in Nutrition. The statistic is based on the findings of 17 studies with mean or median follow-up times ranging from 5 to 18.7 years. With respect to protection from heart events and all-cause mortality, older adults (65 years and up) were shown to gain the most by drinking this ancient beverage.

Bioactive compounds in tea can benefit health in various ways—for example, by relieving inflammation and improving endothelial functioning. It’s also helpful if people drink unsweetened tea in lieu of sugary beverages like soda and Frappuccino.