Most of us favor tea drinking as a traditional habit. Nothing could be more enjoyable than sipping a cup of tea every day in the morning or at any other time. But do you know that this delightful habit can benefit your health in many ways? Drinking tea can improve your overall well-being. But, several factors come into play, including the type of tea, the amount of tea you consume, and how it is brewed.
You may see a wide variety of teas when shopping at a store. Some of them can help in keeping you energized. Other teas can help you feel relaxed and go to sleep. Some might also be beneficial for your heart or help lowering cholesterol levels. Research shows that drinking black or green tea regularly can lower the chances of heart attacks and strokes. Regular tea drinkers have lesser chances of developing cardiovascular conditions than those who do not drink.
Explore this blog to learn about the best tea for heart health and where to find them.
How Tea Is Good for Heart Health?
Drinking tea can be a great part of a heart-healthy diet plan. Teas like green and black tea are high in flavonoids and polyphenols. These have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help lessen inflammation, lower cholesterol, and improve blood vessel function. Drinking these teas may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
These teas are also rich in catechins, which are potent antioxidants that can reduce cholesterol levels and improve blood vessel function.
While considering the above, it is also important to note that no conclusive evidence exists that tea drinking supports these benefits.
Benefits of Drinking Tea for Heart
Drinking tea can benefit your health, especially your heart, in many ways. Some of the top benefits of drinking tea for heart health are as follows:
Improved Blood Vessel Function
Teas are rich in flavonoids, such as catechins and epicatechins, which are beneficial plant chemicals. These chemicals can aid in improving blood vessel function and blood flow. Flavonoids can minimize inflammation and prevent the accumulation of cholesterol-filled plaque inside arteries. Catechins and epicatechins can also be antioxidants that protect your body against free radicals. This can lead to improved heart health.
Reduced Risk of Heart Issues
If you drink tea regularly, you are less likely to experience heart attacks and strokes. Drinking tea habitually can reduce the chances of heart-related problems. Habitual tea drinkers have a 20% reduced risk of heart attacks and a 22% lower risk of heart disease-related mortality.
Lower Blood Pressure
Drinking tea can also help reduce blood pressure, contributing to a lessened risk of cardiac events. A meta-analysis found green tea reduces systolic blood pressure by 3 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 1 mmHg.
Less Plaque Buildup
Green tea has EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), an antioxidant that helps prevent plaque buildup in arteries, reducing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
Boosted Metabolism
If you drink green tea every day, you are on the right track. Green tea helps improve metabolism and boosts fat burning, which supports weight management and contributes to better heart health.
Side Effects of Tea Drinking
Moderate consumption of tea is generally healthy for most individuals. But, excessive consumption of tea can cause many side effects. This is particularly because of the caffeine and tannin content. These side effects can include:
Reduced Iron Absorption
Tea contains tannins, which bind to iron and decrease its availability for the body to absorb. This is mostly true for black tea; it can lower iron absorption by about 60%. On the other hand, green tea reduces iron absorption by about 30%.
In addition, drinking tea with meals or shortly before or after them can obstruct iron absorption. So, waiting about an hour after a meal to drink tea is good. This can alleviate this effect.
Less Anxiety and Stress
Certain teas, including black and green tea, naturally contain caffeine. Consuming caffeine in excess may result in stress, anxiety, and restlessness.
According to research, caffeine dosages below 200 mg per day may not cause significant anxiety in most individuals. However, some people are more sensitive to caffeine and may need to reduce their tea intake further to avoid negative effects.
Nausea
Tea drinking may also result in effects like nausea due to certain compounds, such as tannins. Tannins give tea a bitter, dry taste, and their harsh nature can irritate digestive tissue. Thus, this can bring about uncomfortable symptoms, like nausea or stomach ache.
Those who are highly sensitive might experience nausea after drinking as few as 1 to 2 cups (240–480 ml) of tea. Others may drink over 5 cups (1.2 liters) without feeling any side effects.
Heartburn
The caffeine in tea can result in effects like heartburn or worsen preexisting acid reflux symptoms. As per research, caffeine may calm the sphincter that separates your food pipe from your stomach. This allows acidic stomach contents to flow more easily into the food pipe. In addition, consumption of caffeine can raise the overall stomach acid production.
How to Choose the Best Tea for Heart Health?
You can easily choose the best tea for heart health with some know-how and an expert recommendation. Here is what you need to know:
Rich in Antioxidants
Select a tea with a high antioxidant content. This can help lower oxidative stress and elevate heart health.
Try Herbal Tea
Herbal teas like chamomile or rosehip tea can help lessen blood pressure and have anti-inflammatory effects.
Avoid Additives
If you encounter teas with high sugar content or artificial additives, overlook them. These may affect your health and have negative effects. Only choose the ones with natural flavors and sweeteners.
Loose Leaf vs. Tea Bags
While shopping for tea for heart health, you may find various options, such as loose-leaf and packaged tea bags. Compared to pre-packed tea bags, loose-leaf teas may have a fresher taste and higher quality. Loose-leaf teas generally contain more whole leaves, so they would be a much better option, offering the best health benefits.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you have a specific heart condition, you must consult a healthcare expert to discuss your tea options. This can help you better understand the benefits and adverse effects of tea.
What Tea is Good for the Heart?
Different teas have their own unique properties and health benefits. There is data signifying that certain tea varieties are linked with better heart and cognitive health, immunity, and so on. Let’s look at various heart healthy tea options to give you a better understanding and narrow down your options.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is quite effective for those who are experiencing sleep problems. This soothing beverage contains flavonoids, which help you relax and sleep. Also, according to an expert, this compound can help lessen menstrual cramping and pain. Getting restful sleep is necessary as it is associated with cardiovascular health. In a study, it was found that bad sleep can increase the risk of serious heart ailments.
You can opt for Shea's Apothecary's Chamomile tea bags if you want to introduce Chamomile tea into your routine. The tea has a soothing flavor and is best taken before bedtime. What's more, this tea is free of caffeine, so you can have it any time of the day. The main ingredient of this tea is the Organic Chamomile Pollen (Matricaria recutita), which makes this infusion tasty and soothing.
Shea’s Apothecary’s Chamomile tea offers plentiful health benefits, such as improved immunity, reduced risk of heart disease, and more.
Rosehip Tea
Rosehip tea is another beverage linked to heart health due to its antioxidant properties. Drinking this tea can help with blood circulation, cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. As a result, it can help minimize the risk of cardiovascular illnesses. Moreover, Rosehip tea can help lower hypertension and the risk of potential heart attacks. The fiber content of Rosehip tea is a great natural way to stimulate healthier cholesterol levels.
Check out Shea’s Apothecary’s Organic Rosehip tea, a delectable beverage made from the fruit of the rose plant. Rosa Canina is the key ingredient of the Organic Rosehip tea. The tea has a tangy flavor and a subtle floral smell, making it a refreshing choice for tea lovers. Its vitamin C content and antioxidants aid in raising immunity and promoting healthy skin. This tea is a great addition to your heart health routine.
Organic Rosehip tea can be the perfect beverage for a cold winter day or to add a little sweetness to your morning routine.
How Much Tea Should You Drink?
The healthiest amount of tea one should consume is 2 to 3 cups a day. Too much consumption of the beverage can bring adverse effects that are likely to be digestion problems, anxiety, headaches, etc. According to health experts, tea offers several benefits, but it is important to check that you are consuming it in moderation.
You must watch how your body reacts to tea consumption. Various types of tea contain differing levels of caffeine and other components, so you must consider your tolerance and preferences.
In addition, if you are experiencing any underlying health issues or taking certain medicines, talk to a health expert about your tea consumption.
What Is the Right Time to Drink Tea?
If you aim for good heart health, you must be wary of the right time to drink tea. The right time may differ based on the type of tea you consume. Teas with high caffeine content should be consumed in the morning or mid-afternoon. This can help raise energy levels and avoid disrupting sleep patterns, as caffeine will likely obstruct sleep quality.
Herbal teas like chamomile are free of caffeine, and you can drink them at any time of the day. Since this tea has calming effects, it would be great to have it before bed.
Drinking green tea as you wake up or in the mid-afternoon can also be beneficial for your heart. It may help lower cholesterol levels and ease inflammation. Also, drinking it regularly, at least every other day, has been associated with a lower risk of heart attacks and related problems.
In Conclusion
Drinking tea is not only a delightful and aromatic experience but also an excellent way to kickstart your day. Tea is a traditional beverage popular worldwide due to its health benefits. Consuming tea has also been linked to several benefits, including better cholesterol, reduced inflammation, and lower risk of heart disease. Making tea drinking a habit is easy, but it is important to choose the right one. If you are seeking caffeine-free tea for heart health, you can go for Chamomile or Rosehip tea.
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