Black Tea Shown to Improve Blood Lipid Profile

New research suggests that it may be possible to significantly reduce certain cardiovascular risk factors simply by drinking three cups of black tea each day. Results of the randomized controlled study of 87 people showed that drinking 9g per day of the black tea infusate (three 200 ml cups) was associated with a 18.4% decrease in fasting blood glucose levels, a 36% decrease in triglyceride levels, and an 17% improvement in the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. The researchers speculate that the benefits of black tea are derived from its high levels of polyphenolic compounds, such as thearubigins and theaflavins, which are free-radical scavenging antioxidants. They concluded: “Moderate intake of black tea improves the levels of independent risk factors of cardiovascular disease and antioxidant defenses in plasma.”