For many people, a cup of tea is a daily ritual. A large new study from China suggests that habit may come with a bonus for the heart and blood vessels, as long as you let it cool a little before you sip.
Key Takeaways
- People who drank tea regularly had an 11% lower risk of vascular disease, including heart disease, stroke and circulation problems, than those who didn’t drink tea regularly. The study of 485,934 adults was published in the Journal of Internal Medicine on October 21, 2026.
- Black tea showed the most consistent benefits, though green tea was also linked to lower risk.
- Moderate-strength tea was linked to the lowest risk, while drinking tea “burning hot” was linked to higher risk.
- The lowest risk of all was seen in tea drinkers who also didn’t smoke and were physically active.
- This was an observational study, so it shows a link, not proof that tea protects the heart.
What the study found
Researchers led by Zichen Ye of Peking Union Medical College analyzed data from the China Kadoorie Biobank, a long-running study of adults across China. Participants reported their tea habits when they joined, and researchers tracked their health for a median of about nine years.
During that time, 14,863 people developed vascular disease. That included cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease (such as stroke), pulmonary heart disease (heart strain caused by lung problems) and peripheral artery disease (narrowed arteries in the legs).
Compared with people who didn’t drink tea regularly, habitual tea drinkers had an 11% lower relative risk of developing any of these conditions.
Several details stood out:
- Type of tea: Black tea was linked to lower risk more consistently than green tea, though green tea also showed benefits.
- Strength: Moderate-strength tea was linked to the lowest risk.
- Temperature: People who described drinking their tea “burning hot” had a higher risk, while those who drank it warm had lower risk.
- Amount: Among regular drinkers, risk appeared lowest at around six to eight cups a day. Outside experts cautioned that this shouldn’t be read as a recommended amount, since cup sizes weren’t standardized.
- Lifestyle: Tea drinkers who also didn’t smoke and were physically active had the lowest risk of any group.
Why tea might help the heart
Tea, especially black and green tea, is rich in plant compounds called flavonoids. Earlier research suggests these compounds may help blood vessels relax, reduce inflammation and modestly improve blood pressure and cholesterol. Those are all factors that affect the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Why very hot tea might be linked to higher risk is less clear. Scalding drinks may irritate or damage tissues, and the researchers say this finding needs more study. Separately, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency has classified drinking very hot beverages, above about 149°F (65°C), as a probable cause of esophageal cancer.
What the study can’t tell us
Because this was an observational study, it can’t prove that tea itself lowers risk. Tea drinkers may differ from non-drinkers in other ways, such as diet, income or overall lifestyle, and the researchers couldn’t fully account for all of those factors.
Tea habits were measured only once, and people described their own tea temperature rather than measuring it. Many comparisons were tested, so outside experts say the findings on black tea and hot tea should be treated as exploratory. The study also didn’t look at added milk or sugar, and because it involved adults in China, where tea habits differ, the results may not apply everywhere.
What this means for your cup
If you already enjoy tea, there’s no reason to stop. It’s a low-calorie drink that may come with modest health benefits. A few simple tips:
- Let it cool. Wait a few minutes after pouring, so it’s warm rather than scalding.
- Go easy on sugar. Sweetened tea adds calories and sugar that work against heart health.
- Watch the caffeine. Black and green tea contain caffeine, which can affect sleep. Switch to decaf or herbal tea later in the day if needed.
- Don’t count on tea alone. Not smoking, staying active, eating well and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar do far more to protect your heart.
- Check medication interactions. Large amounts of green tea can interfere with some medications, including certain blood pressure drugs. Ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.
This isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
Sources:
- Ye Z, et al. Habitual tea consumption is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk. Journal of Internal Medicine, October 21, 2026. doi:10.1111/joim.70172
- Sci.News: Tea drinkers may have fewer heart and blood vessel problems, large study finds.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer. Evaluation of drinking coffee, maté and very hot beverages. 2016.