Three cups of black tea 'may reduce blood pressure'
People who drink black tea three times a day may benefit from lower blood pressure, Australian scientists have found.Researchers at the University of Western Australia recruited 95 people, aged 35 to 75 years, who had either three cups of black tea or a placebo (dummy drink) each day for six months.
The placebo had the same flavour and caffeine content as tea, but was not derived from tea.
By the end of the study period, tea drinkers had 2-3mmHg lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.
The findings, which are published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, could have important implications for people's heart health.
Lead author Professor Jonathan Hodgson said: "There is already mounting evidence that tea is good for your heart health, but this is an important discovery because it demonstrates a link between tea and a major risk factor for heart disease."
Tracy Parker, a heart health dietician with the British Heart Foundation, said that more research is needed to shed light on the findings.
But she warned: "A cuppa won't cancel out a poor diet or lifestyle."
