Drinking tea regularly could be linked to a lower risk of stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases, according to a new study involving nearly 500,000 people in China. However, researchers have also highlighted an important warning: drinking tea at extremely high temperatures may be associated with an increased risk of vascular disease.
The study found that people who drank tea three or more times a week had an approximately 11% lower overall risk of vascular disease than those who drank it less frequently. The strongest association was observed for ischaemic stroke, one of the most common types of stroke.
However, the findings also revealed that consuming scalding-hot tea was associated with a 16% higher risk of vascular disease.
Published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, the research adds to growing scientific interest in the potential health benefits of tea, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Although tea is enjoyed daily by millions of people worldwide, the researchers stressed that drinking it should not replace established methods of protecting heart health, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing blood pressure.
What Does the New Study Say About Tea and Heart Health?
The study examined the relationship between habitual tea consumption and the development of vascular diseases over time.
Researchers followed nearly 500,000 Chinese adults for an average of nine years. During this period, they recorded participants’ tea-drinking habits and monitored the development of different vascular conditions.
The findings suggested that regular tea drinkers experienced a lower risk of several cardiovascular conditions.
Key findings from the research
11.2% lower overall vascular disease risk: People who drank tea three or more times a week had a lower risk of vascular disease.
36.6% lower risk of ischaemic stroke: This was the strongest protective association reported in the study.
19.1% lower risk of cerebrovascular disease: Regular tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of diseases affecting the brain’s blood vessels.
16% higher vascular disease risk associated with very hot tea: Researchers found that drinking tea at extremely high temperatures was linked to an increased risk.
Six to eight cups daily: This intake was associated with the lowest risk in the study, although this does not mean everyone should aim to drink that amount.
These results suggest that both the frequency of tea consumption and the way tea is prepared and consumed may influence its relationship with cardiovascular health.
However, the study was observational. This means it identified associations rather than proving that tea directly prevents heart disease or stroke.
How Can Tea Help Protect the Heart and Blood Vessels?
Tea is one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages. It is prepared from the processed leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen plant native to East Asia.
White, green, oolong, black and pu-erh tea all come from the same plant. Their differences in flavour, colour and chemical composition largely depend on how the leaves are processed and oxidised.
Tea contains several biologically active compounds that may contribute to its potential health benefits.
1. Rich in antioxidants
Tea contains polyphenols, including compounds known as flavonoids. These substances have antioxidant properties and may help reduce oxidative stress in the body.
Oxidative stress occurs when harmful molecules called free radicals accumulate and damage cells and tissues.
Over time, oxidative stress can contribute to inflammation and damage to blood vessels. Antioxidants may help limit some of these processes, although their effects depend on several factors, including overall diet and lifestyle.
2. May help reduce inflammation
Long-term inflammation can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Certain compounds found in tea have anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers believe these substances may help support healthier blood vessels and contribute to the lower disease risk observed among habitual tea drinkers.
Nevertheless, more research is needed to establish precisely how much tea contributes to these effects in everyday life.
3. Supports the health of blood vessels
The endothelium is the thin layer of cells lining the inside of blood vessels. It plays an important role in regulating circulation and maintaining normal blood vessel function.
Some tea compounds may support endothelial function, helping blood vessels respond appropriately to changes in blood flow.
Healthy blood vessels are important because damage to the vascular system can contribute to conditions such as coronary heart disease and stroke.
4. May influence cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors
Some compounds found in tea, particularly those in black tea, have been investigated for their potential effects on blood fats and other markers of cardiovascular health.
Black tea contains compounds called theaflavins, which develop during the oxidation process. These compounds have shown potentially beneficial biological effects in research.
However, the findings do not establish that drinking black tea alone will lower cholesterol or prevent a heart attack.
Black Tea or Green Tea: Which Is Better for Heart Health?
The researchers reported that black tea showed the strongest and most consistent association with reduced vascular disease risk, followed by green tea.
This finding may attract attention because green tea is often promoted as the healthiest variety.
However, it is important not to interpret the results as proof that black tea is universally better than green tea.
Black tea
Black tea undergoes extensive oxidation during processing. This produces a distinctive flavour and changes the types of polyphenols present in the finished drink.
Its compounds, including theaflavins, have been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory and lipid-regulating effects.
Green tea
Green tea undergoes less oxidation, allowing it to retain a different balance of naturally occurring compounds, including catechins.
These compounds have also been investigated for their antioxidant and potential cardiovascular benefits.
Which should you choose?
Both black and green tea can be part of a healthy diet.
Your choice can depend on taste, caffeine tolerance and personal preference. The study’s findings do not establish that everyone should switch to black tea or that green tea offers no benefits.
The temperature, strength and overall pattern of consumption may also matter.
Why Drinking Scalding-Hot Tea Could Be Harmful
One of the most striking findings was the association between very hot tea and an increased risk of vascular disease.
Although tea itself may contain compounds associated with potential health benefits, the temperature at which it is consumed is another important consideration.
Researchers found that drinking tea at extremely high temperatures was associated with a 16% increase in vascular disease risk.
This finding should be interpreted cautiously because an observational study cannot establish that hot tea directly caused the increase.
Nevertheless, the result highlights a practical precaution: allow freshly prepared tea to cool before drinking it.
Very hot drinks and oesophageal cancer
Research has also linked the regular consumption of very hot beverages with an increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
The oesophagus is the tube that carries food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. Repeated exposure to extremely hot liquids may cause thermal injury to its lining.
Over time, repeated irritation and damage may contribute to health risks, although the precise relationship depends on several factors.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has previously classified drinking very hot beverages, generally defined as above 65°C, as probably carcinogenic to humans in relation to oesophageal cancer.
This classification concerns the temperature of the beverage, not tea itself.
How can you drink tea more safely?
You do not necessarily need to stop drinking hot tea. Instead, consider these simple habits:
Allow freshly boiled tea to cool for a few minutes before drinking.
Avoid sipping tea when it feels scalding or causes discomfort in your mouth.
Take small sips rather than drinking a very hot beverage quickly.
Be especially careful with freshly brewed tea served in insulated cups, as it may remain dangerously hot for longer than expected.
Do not rely on appearance alone to judge temperature, because tea can remain extremely hot even when it looks ready to drink.
There is no need to drink tea cold to enjoy its potential benefits. The main precaution is to avoid consuming it at a scalding temperature.
How Much Tea Should You Drink Each Day?
The study found that the lowest associated risk was observed among participants who drank six to eight cups daily. The median intake among participants was approximately two to three cups a day.
However, these findings should not be treated as a universal recommendation to drink six to eight cups of tea every day.
The study was designed to investigate associations between tea consumption and vascular disease, rather than to establish an ideal daily dose.
The amount that is appropriate for an individual can depend on caffeine sensitivity, sleep patterns, other medical conditions and the type of tea consumed.
Practical tips for everyday tea drinking
For people who enjoy tea, a sensible approach may include:
Choose tea you enjoy: Black and green tea can both fit into a balanced diet.
Let it cool: Avoid drinking tea while it is scalding hot.
Watch the caffeine: Large quantities of caffeinated tea may cause sleep problems, restlessness or palpitations in sensitive individuals.
Limit added sugar: Frequently adding large amounts of sugar can increase overall sugar intake.
Consider your sleep: Avoid drinking caffeinated tea late in the day if it affects your ability to sleep.
Maintain a balanced diet: Tea should complement, rather than replace, nutritious foods and other healthy habits.
People who are pregnant, sensitive to caffeine or taking medicines that require dietary precautions should seek appropriate advice about their tea intake when necessary.
Can Drinking Tea Prevent a Stroke?
The study suggests that regular tea consumption may be associated with a lower risk of stroke, particularly ischaemic stroke.
An ischaemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to brain tissue.
Stroke is a medical emergency, and its risk is influenced by several factors, including high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, physical inactivity and certain heart conditions.
Although tea contains compounds that may support vascular health, there is not enough evidence to recommend it as a stand-alone method of stroke prevention.
Established ways to reduce stroke risk
Health professionals recommend focusing on measures with stronger evidence of benefit.
These include:
Keeping blood pressure within a healthy range.
Managing cholesterol and diabetes with appropriate medical care.
Avoiding smoking and tobacco products.
Exercising regularly and limiting prolonged inactivity.
Eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and other nutritious foods.
Maintaining a healthy weight where possible.
Taking prescribed medicines as directed.
Limiting alcohol consumption.
Anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or a previous stroke should continue following their clinician’s advice rather than relying on tea to reduce their risk.
Tea Is Not a Miracle Drink
Despite the encouraging findings, experts have warned against interpreting the study as proof that drinking tea protects everyone from cardiovascular disease.
The relationship between tea consumption and health can be influenced by many other factors, including diet, physical activity, smoking, income and access to healthcare.
People who regularly drink tea may also follow other lifestyle habits that contribute to better health. Researchers attempt to account for such differences, but observational studies cannot remove every possible source of bias.
Dell Stanford, a senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation who was not involved in the research, highlighted this limitation. She noted that differences in participants’ diets and lifestyles could help explain the results and that the study does not prove that a daily cup of tea protects the heart.
The important message is that tea may be a useful part of a healthy routine, but it cannot replace proven cardiovascular prevention measures.
Cardiovascular Disease Remains a Major Health Concern
Cardiovascular disease includes conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and other vascular disorders.
It remains a leading cause of illness and death across Europe.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and European health reporting, cardiovascular disease accounts for approximately one in three deaths in the European Union and affects tens of millions of people.
These figures underline the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment.
Simple lifestyle choices can contribute to better long-term health, but managing established risk factors remains essential.
What Does This Research Mean for Tea Lovers?
For people who enjoy a daily cup of tea, the findings offer encouraging news, with an important qualification about temperature.
Regular tea drinking was associated with a lower risk of vascular disease in a large group of Chinese adults followed over several years. Black tea showed the strongest association in the study, while green tea was also linked to potential benefits.
However, drinking tea when it is extremely hot was associated with a higher risk, reinforcing the importance of allowing beverages to cool before consumption.
The research does not prove that tea directly prevents strokes or heart attacks, nor does it establish an ideal number of cups for everyone.
Key takeaways
Drinking tea three or more times a week was associated with an 11.2% lower overall risk of vascular disease.
The strongest reported association was a 36.6% lower risk of ischaemic stroke.
Black tea showed the strongest and most consistent association, followed by green tea.
Drinking scalding-hot tea was associated with a 16% higher risk of vascular disease.
Very hot beverages have also been linked to an increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
The study was observational, so the findings do not prove cause and effect.
Tea should be part of a healthy lifestyle, not a replacement for medical treatment or established prevention strategies.
The bottom line: Enjoying tea may be compatible with better cardiovascular health, but avoid drinking it while it is scalding hot. Combine sensible tea-drinking habits with a balanced diet, regular physical activity, good sleep and appropriate medical care to support your long-term health.
References and Sources
Journal of Internal Medicine — Research examining habitual tea consumption and vascular disease risk.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joim.70172Euronews — Reporting on research linking very hot drinks with oesophageal cancer risk.
https://www.euronews.com/2026/09/09/a-risk-in-a-teacup-researchers-find-link-between-very-hot-drinks-and-oesophageal-cancerBritish Heart Foundation — Information and guidance on cardiovascular health and heart disease prevention.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) — The state of cardiovascular health in the European Union.
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-state-of-cardiovascular-health-in-the-european-union_ea7a15f4-en.htmlInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — Research and assessments concerning very hot beverages and oesophageal cancer.
Medical note: This article is for general information only and should not replace personalised advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
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