Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Probably. Several studies show that people who drink
green tea have a reduced incidence of heart attacks.
Since
black tea is made by fermenting green tea leaves, you would
think that green tea and black tea would be the same, and they
may be. But almost all studies on tea and heart attacks have
been done with green tea, probably because green tea
companies support and publicize the studies. Both green and
black tea contain potent antioxidants: flavinoids, polyphenols and
catechins. These antioxidants block cox-2 enzymes that cause
clots and block arteries. Scientists do not recommend tea to
prevent heart attacks yet because there may be other variables.
Tea drinkers may have fewer heart attacks because they have
healthier lifestyles for other reasons.
November 20, 2005