Black Tea And CVD: A Morning Cup
In my research for the previous article, I discussed how certain types of tea are generally recognized as better for managing one’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) than others. One that is especially medically recognized for its beneficial effects on cardiac health is black tea. However, despite these recommendations, in my experience, I do not often drink black tea because it triggers some of my CVD symptoms.
So, what is black tea? Does it have any general health benefits? Does drinking it actually benefit one’s cardiovascular health? If so, how?
Let’s delve into these questions while we wait for the tea to steep.
Black tea stands out as it is one of the most common types of tea. It also has a long story as to how it became widespread. According to the article, How Black Tea is Made by Young Mountain Tea, “black teas are made from the same plant as white, green, and oolong teas: Camellia sinensis. The distinctive colors and flavor profiles of each category of finished tea are the end result of tea processing steps: withering, heating, rolling, oxidization, and drying. If, when, and for how long each of these steps are applied determines the characteristics of a finished tea. The process of making black tea uses four of these steps to transform fresh, green leaves into the dark, full-bodied infusion that fills your cup. And when it comes to this classic tea variety, the key ingredients are oxygen and time” (Young Mountain Tea, 2020). Like other teas, black tea has several unique characteristics that have enabled it to become well-known in many cultures worldwide.
Black tea originated in Asia, specifically China. However, the necessary combination of oxygen and time, this tea was ideal for foreign trade as it was easier to transport than fresher varieties. According to the article, What is Black Tea? by Teatulia, “in the earliest days of border trade between China, Tibet, and other neighboring countries, tea was fermented, dried, and pressed into bricks to be used as currency. To this day, most of the black tea produced in China is exported out of the country” (Teatulia, 2018). Later, it became a key product of China’s trade with Europeans. After the early 1600s, the tea industry began to spread to Europe, becoming a staple of Britain and other cultures across not only Europe but also other regions of Southeast Asia through trade (Teatulia, 2018). Because black tea has been a staple of the tea tradition all over the world for centuries, it is likely that if you walk into your local coffee shop, the option of drinking black teas like Darjeeling, Oolong, Earl Grey, Assam, and Ceylon tea is likely to be available, if not expected commodities.
So, if you were to pick one to drink, is black tea even good for your health? Yes.
The article, "6 Health Benefits of Drinking Black Tea" by UCLA Health, discusses how black tea promotes heart health, improves focus, reduces the risk of stroke, lowers blood sugar levels, lessens the risk of certain cancers, and, theoretically, may even reduce the risk of death due to general health complications. (UCLA Health, 2022). In general, it promotes health from various angles, particularly those related to the cardiovascular system.
So, specifically, what does black tea do to promote cardiovascular health? The UCLA article elaborates how it benefits heart function due to the presence of “theaflavins help to lower blood cholesterol. And flavonoids — the same antioxidants found in red wine, dark chocolate, and nuts —reduce the risk of heart disease by 8%. Studies show that with every cup of tea you drink daily, you can lower your blood pressure, the risk of major cardiovascular events (such as heart attack and stroke) and the threat of death from heart disease” (UCLA Health, 2022). This, by extension, prevents strokes, which are “when there’s a blockage in the blood vessels carrying blood to the brain” (UCLA Health, 2022). This condition “is the second leading cause of death globally” (UCLA Health, 2022). Luckily, “drinking black tea may be one way to reduce your risk of stroke. Studies show that drinking at least two cups of tea daily may reduce the risk of stroke by 16% compared to people who do not drink tea” (UCLA Health, 2022). However, other articles delve into this topic more deeply.
The article, Black Tea Consumption And The Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Cohort Studies by Wang et al., published in 2025, supports this conclusion and how drinking black tea promotes cardiovascular health. According to the article, “the present meta-analysis indicates that black tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of CHD. Current evidence supports the safety of habitual black tea consumption as part of a heart-healthy diet” (Wang et al., 2025). Therefore, it is still medically recommended that black tea consumption not only supports a diet that benefits the heart, but can even reduce the risk of contracting CVD in the first place.
So, according to these articles, the consensus is clear. Black tea does provide health benefits to the cardiovascular system. So, tip a kettle into a cup and take a sip. Your heart and health will thank you… usually.
However, before you commit to a routine of regularly consuming the drink, especially if you have a complicated medical history and/or a history of arrhythmia, I caution you to discuss it with your doctor beforehand.
I say this because of my own experience with black tea.
I discovered this while studying in China. I had my favorite tea house in Xi’an near the campus. But, for a reason I did not fully understand at the time, when I drank the black tea, I immediately felt ill. Breathless, exhausted, and lethargic for no discernible reason. So, rather than question it, I switched to other types that had a less significant impact on me. As a result, I discovered a deep love for a variety of other teas as well.
It wasn’t until a few years later that I realized why this was happening. It gave me arrhythmias. This is due to black tea's higher caffeine concentration, due to the higher level of oxidation of the leaves compared to other types of tea.
Now, it may seem strange, but I still enjoy the flavor of a good cup of Darjeeling from time to time. However, to lower the risk of arrhythmia, I have a certain ritual. I often add a dash of sugar and a small dollop of honey (Waldhonig, if available) and let it steep for only three minutes, rather than the recommended five minutes or more. This is because the less time it has to seep, the less time it has to become concentrated, and the less likely it is to impact my heart rate.
While I have a complicated history with black tea, this does not mean I do not recommend drinking black tea if you have a heart condition. Rather, given the breadth of documentation and medical recommendations, all of which support and confirm the benefits of black tea for the cardiovascular system, it makes complete sense to try it if you have a heart problem, especially considering its wholesome, healthy ingredients and noted benefits to the body as a whole.
Still, I do urge you to be cautious if you are prone to arrhythmias.
However, for most people, drinking black tea is a safe, healthy, and enjoyable experience. If you have a craving for a hot drink during this chilly time of year and want to support and manage your heart health, consider black tea, as medical professionals recommend this beverage for promoting heart health and overall well-being.
Take a sip and savor the flavor.
Keep ticking, my friends!
Upcoming Posts:
On Thursday (10-9-25) I will post an article about Halloween and CVD.
On Sunday (10-12-25) I will post an article about White Tea and CVD.
Reference List:
Teatulia (2018). What Is Black Tea? [online] Teatulia.com. Available at: https://www.teatulia.com/tea-varieties/what-is-black-tea.htm.
UCLA Health (2022). 6 Health Benefits Of Drinking Black Tea. [online] www.uclahealth.org. Available at: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-black-tea.
Wang, Z.-M., Lian, X.-Q., Long, Q.-Q., Wu, B. and Wang, L.-S. (2025). Black Tea Consumption And The Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Cohort Studies. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, [online] p.104369. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104369.
Young Mountain Tea (2020). How Black Tea Is Made. [online] Young Mountain Tea. Available at: https://youngmountaintea.com/blogs/blog/how-black-tea-is-made.
***For clarification:
The article, Black Tea Consumption And The Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Cohort Studies by Wang et al., uses “CHD” to refer to “coronary heart disease,” rather than how I often use “CHD” to refer to “congenital cardiovascular disease.”
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