Black tea prevents heart disease.

ISLAMABAD, June 19, 2009 (Balochistan Times) --Drinking just one cup of black tea everyday might protect against cardiovascular disease, a new research has found. According to the study conducted at University of LAquila in Italy and supported by the Lipton Institute of Tea, black tea consumption improves blood vessel reactivity and reduces blood pressure and arterial stiffness, indicating a notably better cardiovascular health profile, Health News reported. Using a group of 19 healthy men (mean age 33), the researchers assigned the participants to one of five prescribed intakes of the tea over five periods lasting one week each. The caffeine level of each dose was standardised but the dose of tea flavonoids was controlled at the levels of 0 (the control dose), 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg per day. A standard cup of black tea contains approximately 100-200 mg of flavonoids, depending on the individual preference of tea making. During the course of the research, participants avoided naturally flavonoid-rich food and drinks like red wine and chocolate to ensure that the results become a true reflection of flavonoid-rich black tea consumption only.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)