Cardiovascular disease still remains to be the leading cause of death worldwide accounting for 17.3 million deaths, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). In the U.S., 83.6 million Americans are living with some form of cardiovascular disease or the after-effects of stroke. When it comes to matters of the heart, there is more that needs to be done in order to prevent cardiovascular disease from striking.
The good news is, the majority of cases of cardiovascular disease can be prevented through simple lifestyle changes, so you don’t need to become another statistic.
New findings have uncovered a popular beverage, which can work to support heart health and, in turn, lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Frankly, you probably already enjoy this beverage somewhat regularly, and just don’t realize the heart-boosting effects that it has.
Drinking tea improves heart health
New findings from Chinese doctors have revealed that consuming tea may protect the arteries from stiffening, which is a main contributing factor of cardiovascular disease. Flexible arteries allow for greater blood flow. Stiff arteries, on the other end, weaken the heart and increase the risk of stroke.
Medications and lifestyle changes are effective means for keeping arteries flexible. Diet, exercise, not smoking, and minimal alcohol consumption are all ways to maintain proper heart health. Previously, researchers have discovered that flavonoids found in tea can be effective to boost heart health almost immediately.
The researchers looked at 5,006 individuals and found that habitual tea drinking – drinking tea at least once a week for a year – was linked with lower levels of arterial stiffness.
Flavonoids in tea help relax blood vessels, allowing for greater blood flow. The researchers note that green tea is the best source of these essential flavonoids, but black and oolong tea are packed with flavonoids, too.
Two previous studies also linked tea consumption with greater heart health. One was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and the other was a meta-analysis, which revealed that tea consumption can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, cardiac death, stroke, cerebral infarction, and intracerebral hemorrhage.
Although numerous studies point to tea consumption as being beneficial for the heart, it should not be a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Tea drinking should be made part of your overall health plan for a strong heart, along with eating heart-healthy foods and exercising regularly. By combining many healthy lifestyle factors together, you lower your risk of cardiovascular disease even further.