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The Short Version
Sipping scalding hot tea could spike your cardiovascular disease risk by 16%. To reap the heart-healthy benefits of polyphenols without the danger, brew with hot water but wait for a moderate, comfortable temperature before your first sip.
In This Article
Drinking your tea while it is still scalding hot might be doing more harm than good. A decade-long study published in The Journal of Internal Medicine followed 485,934 participants to track the relationship between tea consumption and vascular disease. While regular tea drinkers—particularly those consuming six to eight cups daily—showed lower incidences of disease, those who preferred their tea at extreme temperatures faced different outcomes. Specifically, participants who reported drinking tea while it was scalding were 16% more likely to have cardiovascular disease compared to those who drank it cooler.
Hot water actually helps extract beneficial polyphenols from tea leaves, so we shouldn’t assume that hot brewing destroys tea’s benefits.
Temperature and Extraction Balance
Lauri Wright, PhD, RDN, LD/N, FADA, director of Nutrition Programs at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health, notes that high temperatures can affect the stability of beneficial compounds. However, she clarifies that brewing with hot water remains essential for extraction. Hot water actually helps extract beneficial polyphenols from tea leaves, so we shouldn’t assume that hot brewing destroys tea’s benefits. The goal is a careful middle ground: use hot water to release the antioxidants but wait until the liquid reaches a comfortable sipping temperature before consuming.
Finding the Moderate Brew
Beyond temperature, the strength of the brew plays a role in heart health. The study suggests that people opting for a “medium” brew saw fewer cardiovascular events than those drinking extremely strong or light infusions. Rather than chasing an extra-strong cup for added benefits, Wright recommends simply following the package directions for a few minutes of steeping; this avoids the excessive caffeine and bitter tannins found in over-steeped tea. Interestingly, while green tea offers significant benefits, habitual black tea drinkers in this specific study reaped larger cardiovascular rewards.
Ultimately, no single beverage acts as a magic bullet. The greatest vascular protections were found in participants who combined regular tea consumption with physical activity and avoided smoking. While your choice of tea matters, it cannot replace the impact of a healthy lifestyle.
Do you prefer to let your tea cool naturally, or are you part of the camp that drinks it as soon as it’s steeped?
Questions & Answers
Why is drinking scalding hot tea linked to cardiovascular disease?
Drinking tea at extreme temperatures can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 16% compared to drinking it at cooler temperatures. A decade-long study involving nearly 486,000 participants found that while regular tea consumption is generally beneficial, the temperature at which the liquid is consumed matters significantly. Consuming tea while it is still scalding hot may lead to different health outcomes than drinking it at a more comfortable, moderate sipping temperature.
How does water temperature affect the health benefits of tea?
Water temperature affects tea by influencing the extraction of beneficial polyphenols and the stability of antioxidants. Using hot water is essential during the brewing process because it helps release the healthy compounds found in tea leaves. However, drinking the liquid while it is still extremely hot may negate some benefits. The ideal approach is to use hot water for brewing to ensure proper extraction and then allow the tea to cool to a comfortable temperature before drinking.
What type of tea brew provides the most cardiovascular protection?
A medium strength brew provides better cardiovascular protection than tea that is either extremely strong or very light. While many people attempt to make extra-strong tea to increase health benefits, over-steeping can lead to excessive caffeine and bitter tannins. Following the specific steeping directions on the package ensures a balanced infusion. Additionally, the study noted that habitual black tea drinkers experienced larger cardiovascular rewards compared to those drinking green tea.
What lifestyle habits combined with tea consumption improve heart health?
Combining regular tea consumption with physical activity and avoiding smoking provides the greatest protection for vascular health. While choosing the right type of tea and maintaining a moderate brewing strength are important factors, no single beverage serves as a magic bullet for heart health. A healthy lifestyle remains the most critical component in preventing cardiovascular disease. Tea can be a helpful part of a wellness routine, but it cannot replace the impact of exercise and tobacco avoidance.
Originally reported by Real Simple.
