Is Green Tea Heart Healthy?

Drinking tea may provide a number of health benefits, but should you choose white, black, or green tea? Research suggests that green tea may be the best tea for your heart and could improve your health in other ways.

Like all teas, green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. They are often mixed with fruits or scented with flowers, and they may have some distinct advantages over other types of teas. It’s believed that green tea has the highest level of antioxidants among other varieties of tea, which can help:

• Detoxify the body
• Prevent certain types of cancer
• Lower blood pressure
• Fight cavities and gingivitis
• Help regulate blood sugar levels

Recent studies also show that green tea may prevent the progression of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by a buildup of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Researchers at the Athens Medical School in Greece found that drinking green tea rapidly improved the function of the endothelial lining, the thin layer of cells that line the inside of blood vessels. Within just 30 minutes of consuming green tea, ultrasounds showed increased dilation of the heart arteries. It’s believed this dilation occurs because the cells in the lining of the blood vessels secrete a substance that relaxes the blood vessels.

Experts do note that while this research is promising, it’s too soon to declare that drinking green tea prevents heart attacks and strokes. However, it is clear that drinking green tea can promote better health.