The effect of black tea on risk factors of cardiovascular disease in a normal population

Prev Med. 2012 May:54 Suppl:S98-102. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.12.009. Epub 2011 Dec 16.

Abstract

Objectives: A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial determined the effect of Mauritian black tea consumption on fasting blood plasma levels of glucose, lipid profiles and antioxidant status in a normal population.

Methods: The study group (71%) consumed 3 x 200 ml of black tea infusate/day for 12 weeks without additives followed by a 3 week wash-out. The control group (29%) consumed equivalent volume of hot water for same intervention period.

Results: The tea used had high levels of gallic acid derivatives (50 ± 0.4 mg/L), flavan-3-ols (42 ± 2 mg/L), flavonols (32 ± 1 mg/L) and theaflavins (90 ± 1 mg/L). Daily 9 g supplementation of black tea infusate induced, in a normal population, a highly significant decrease of fasting serum glucose (18.4%; p<0.001) and triglyceride levels (35.8%; p<0.01), a significant decrease in LDL/HDL plasma cholesterol ratio (16.6%; p<0.05) and a non significant increase in HDL plasma cholesterol levels (20.3%), while a highly significant rise in plasma antioxidant propensity (FRAP: 418%; p<0.001) was noted .

Conclusion: Black tea consumed within a normal diet contributes to a decrease of independent cardiovascular risk factors and improves the overall antioxidant status in humans.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tea / chemistry
  • Tea / metabolism*
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Insulin
  • Tea
  • Triglycerides