Whether black, green or white, this infusion has demonstrated on more than one occasion the benefits it provides to the body. The details Tea is much more than an ancient drink steeped in history and ritual. Backed by science, its health benefits have gone from oral tradition to rigorous analysis in laboratories and research centres around the world. The question resonates ever louder: can a cup of tea a day really make a difference in preventing disease and increasing longevity? Recent scientific studies reaffirm what generations have intuitively sensed: drinking tea regularly can become a simple, natural and highly beneficial habit for overall health protection.
Types of tea and their bioactive compounds
Regular consumption of tea is associated with potential health benefits and a reduced risk of chronic diseases, according to a review published by experts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. The study analyses the effects of tea and its main compounds, polyphenols, on human health based on the evidence available to date. The review covers different types of tea, including green tea, black tea and white tea, and highlights that they all contain polyphenols such as catechins, theaflavins and thearubigins, compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. These components have been shown in several epidemiological studies and clinical trials to have positive effects on different cardiometabolic risk factors, some types of cancer, and other chronic diseases related to ageing.
Benefits for the cardiovascular and metabolic systems
The authors point out that green tea consumption has been most strongly associated with a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, improved endothelial function and lower blood pressure. In addition, possible benefits have been observed in glucose regulation, prevention of cognitive decline, and protection against some types of cancer, due to the action of its polyphenols on the cellular mechanisms that regulate inflammation and oxidative stress.
At the cardiovascular level, several studies included in the review show a significant reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in people who consume tea regularly, although the authors clarify that the magnitude of the benefits may vary according to the amount and type of tea consumed, as well as interaction with other lifestyle factors.
An improvement in parameters related to metabolic health, such as blood sugar control and lipid profile balance, has also been reported, aspects that are especially relevant in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia.
Impact on cancer prevention and longevity
Regarding cancer prevention, the evidence is promising but inconclusive. Regular tea consumption is associated with a lower incidence of tumours in certain organs, although the results are not always consistent across different populations or for all types of cancer. The protective effects appear to be mediated by the antioxidant capacity of polyphenols, which can neutralise free radicals and modulate the molecular pathways involved in tumour development.
As for longevity, several population studies show that those who incorporate tea into their daily routine tend to have a longer life expectancy and a lower incidence of chronic diseases, provided that this habit is accompanied by other healthy lifestyle factors.
The article points out that although tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world and its compounds have a favourable safety profile, the observed benefits are mainly achieved with sustained and moderate consumption, accompanied by a healthy diet. People who are sensitive to caffeine or have specific medical conditions should consult a healthcare professional before changing their consumption habits.
Integrating tea into your daily diet can be an accessible way to support cardiovascular health, take care of your metabolism and help prevent chronic diseases, especially when combined with a balanced lifestyle.
The available evidence positions tea as a natural ally in promoting well-being and healthy ageing, although researchers emphasise the need to continue to study it in depth to precisely define all its effects according to variety, quantity and individual profiles. Tea provides antioxidant polyphenols that have a positive impact on health, always as part of healthy lifestyle habits.
