A recent nod from the experts has confirmed what many have believed all along – a good cup of morning tea might just be beneficial to our health. The European Society of Cardiology’s diet recommendations now include a plant bioactive which is found in Britain’s beloved tea.
They are advising individuals with pre-existing heart conditions to seek out foods rich in flavonoids as part of their dietary intake to help stop the progression of their condition. And tea has emerged as the UK’s top provider of these flavonoids.
Despite widespread awareness about the importance of heart health, a study from the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) illuminates a knowledge gap among the public regarding polyphenols and their sources. The TAP study found four out of five Brits are not familiar with polyphenols, and only 19% are aware that tea is a source.
Dr Carrie Ruxton of the TAP commented: “People have got heart health on their mind, yet they don’t always know what to do to improve it. As the TAP real-world research review found, most adults still don’t recognise polyphenols or know where to find them in the diet.”
She added, “More than one in 10 thought you’d find them in margarine, which is completely wrong. In fact, only a fifth of respondents linked the simple daily ritual of enjoying a cup of regular black tea with good heart health. This suggests there’s work to be done on educating the British public about the health-promoting power of their daily cuppa.” Gloucestershire Live reports.
Apart from the new heart health guidelines for Europe, experts agree that bioactive compounds like flavonoids, which are found in tea, fruits, and vegetables, can have a positive effect on blood pressure, the health of blood vessels, cholesterol levels, and inflammation, all of which are crucial for a healthy heart. Dr Ruxton stated: “A review of the latest scientific research – Moving Beyond Nutrients – Tea Flavonoids and Human Health – is it time to consider food-based bioactive guidelines? – found loads of evidence for the health benefits of the nation’s beloved brew and even called for a specific dietary target to encourage people to get more polyphenols into their diets.”
She added: “Studies report up to a 19% reduction in the risk of developing chronic conditions, like heart disease, when diets are high in flavonoids. Most people can name red wine or berries as good sources of polyphenols. But, as the latest TAP real-world data review shows, many Brits don’t realise that tea is also a major polyphenol contributor and is good for the heart too. I think most people would be amazed to find out that something they love to do anyway is helping to support their heart health.”
The advice is straightforward – drink around four cups a day for optimal heart health. Dr Ruxton said: “Over in the US, experts at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggested we need intakes of 400–600 mg of one group of flavonoids, called flavan3-ols, to protect our heart and metabolic health. However, they added that food sources, such as tea and fruits, should be prioritised.”
In addition to heart health, the US panel also mentioned that increasing flavan-3-ol intakes could positively impact related aspects of health, such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels. Dr Ruxton clarifies: “Enjoying four daily cuppas is the sweet spot if we want to get the health benefits that can come from consuming flavan-3-ols. Yet, as this latest real-world research data shows, as many as 43% of Brits are drinking less than 3-4 cups of tea a day.”