Green tea contains high concentrations of catechins, which support vascular health through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Although the effect is small, it has clinical relevance when incorporated into a comprehensive heart-healthy lifestyle,” explained cardiologist Sam Setareh.
He added that catechins stimulate nitric oxide production, which reduces arterial stiffness and improves blood flow. Reducing inflammation, in turn, reduces the burden on the cardiovascular system, because inflammation itself is one of the main causes of heart disease.
In addition, green tea catechins have a positive effect on the lipid profile by reducing fat absorption in the intestines, which also helps lower blood pressure.
But what about the caffeine content of green tea?
Commenting on the effects of caffeine, the doctor emphasised that its effects are short-lived.
“Although caffeine can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure, long-term studies show that regular consumption of green tea leads to an overall reduction in blood pressure despite its caffeine content,” Setareh noted.
The cardiologist pointed out that green tea contains significantly less caffeine than coffee: 20 to 50 milligrams in a 240 millilitre cup versus about 95 milligrams in the same serving of coffee. According to the American Heart Association, moderate caffeine consumption can have a positive impact on heart health.
At the same time, the doctor emphasised that the main benefit of green tea lies precisely in the antioxidants, not in the caffeine.
For most people, one to three cups of green tea a day is safe and is unlikely to worsen the state of health, – concluded Setareh.
Earlier we wrote what happens to the body if you drink herbal tea every day.