Tea and coffee 'improves heart health' as doctor reveals exact amount to drink in new study

A 2024 study has suggested that consuming more caffeine could be very beneficial for the health of your heart, particularly for those with rheumatic conditions such as Lupus.

Drinking cups of tea and coffee is very beneficial for you as consuming more caffeine could potentially improve heart health according to Italian scientists.

A new 2024 study carried out by researchers at Sapienza University of Rome found that people, particularly those with rheumatic conditions, may be able to better their vascular health through one very enjoyable activity - having a cuppa.

The laboratory results of their study, published in the journal Rheumatology, involved 31 lupus patients who completed a seven-day food questionnaire. Their findings suggest that caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, and cocoa, actively helps endothelial progenitor cells which help regenerate the lining of blood vessels and are involved in vascular growth, SurreyLive reports.

Lupus is a condition where the immune system, which typically safeguards the body from infections and diseases, turns against its own tissues. This attack triggers inflammation, and in certain cases irreversible tissue damage, which can be extensive impacting the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, circulating blood cells, and brain.

The researchers clarified that vascular disease, damage to blood vessels, and their subsequent outcomes, such as heart attacks and strokes, are among the primary causes of death. However, in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, these risks are even higher due to both the diseases themselves and some of their treatments, especially cortisone derivatives.

Up until now, medical advice to lower vascular risks primarily revolved around avoiding risk factors. These included halting inflammation, reducing cortisone medications, along with traditional recommendations like quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol, and managing high blood pressure.

However, this new study, found after seven days that patients who consumed caffeine had better vascular health, as measured through endothelial cells, which form the important inner layer of blood vessels. They discovered this by taking the patient's blood to measure their blood vessel health.

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Study leader Dr Fulvia Ceccarelli said: "Besides the well-known stimulant effect on the body, caffeine also exerts an anti-inflammatory effect because it binds with the receptors expressed on the surface of immune cells. The effect of caffeine consumption on cardiovascular health has been widely investigated, with conflicting results."

She added: "The present study is an attempt to provide patients with information on the possible role of diet in controlling the disease. It will be necessary to confirm the results through a longitudinal study, aimed at assessing the real impact of coffee consumption on the disease course."

This research has been backed up by new diet advice published by the European Society of Cardiology which has revealed for the first time that a special plant bioactive has been found in tea.

A team of heart specialists has recommended that those with existing heart and artery conditions should aim for a "high flavonoid intake" to prevent further deterioration. In the UK, tea is the largest dietary contributor to flavonoids - a type of polyphenol.

Dietitian and member of the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP), Dr Carrie Ruxton explained it is well recognised among scientists that bioactive substances like the flavonoids in tea, fruits and vegetables can positively impact blood pressure, blood vessel health, cholesterol levels, and inflammation – all of which are important for heart health.

Dr Ruxton said: "Only a fifth of respondents linked the simple daily ritual of enjoying a cup of regular black tea with good heart health. This suggests there's work to be done on educating the British public about the health promoting power of their daily cuppa.

“A review of the latest scientific research – Moving Beyond Nutrients – Tea Flavonoids and Human Health, found loads of evidence for the health benefits of the nation’s beloved brew and even called for a specific dietary target to encourage people to get more polyphenols into their diets."

She continued: "Studies report up to a 19 percent reduction in the risk of developing chronic conditions, like heart disease, when diets are high in flavonoids. Most people can name red wine or berries as good sources of polyphenols.

"But, as the latest TAP real-world data review shows, many Brits don’t realise that tea is also a major polyphenol contributor and is good for the heart too."

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Dr Ruxton said: “Over in the US, experts at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggested we need intakes of 400–600 mg of one group of flavonoids, called flavan3-ols, to protect our heart and metabolic health. However, they added that food sources, such as tea and fruits, should be prioritised."

She concluded: “Enjoying four daily cuppas is the sweet spot if we want to get the health benefits that can come from consuming flavan-3-ols. Yet, as this latest real-world research data shows, as many as 43 percent of Brits are drinking less than 3-4 cups of tea a day.”

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