TEA TIME.Ordinary black tea may help "relax" the lining of blood vessels Blood vessels Tubular channels for blood transport, of which there are three principal types: arteries, capillaries, and veins. Only the larger arteries and veins in the body bear distinct names. of people who already have clogged arteries. The endothelium endothelium /en·do·the·li·um/ (-the´le-um) pl. endothe´lia the layer of epithelial cells that lines the cavities of the heart, the serous cavities, and the lumina of the blood and lymph vessels. , which lines the inside of all blood vessels, makes them expand when the body needs more blood flow--during exercise, for example. A healthy endothelium also reduces the risk of blood clots Blood Clots Definition A blood clot is a thickened mass in the blood formed by tiny substances called platelets. Clots form to stop bleeding, such as at the site of cut. and inflammation in the vessel wall. But the endothelium doesn't operate normally in a person with heart disease, and that may raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. In a recent study (funded by the tea-maker Lipton), the endothelium expanded more in patients who were fed black tea instead of water. That was true whether they drank two cups of tea two hours before their arteries were tested or four cups a day for four weeks before the test. What to do: Don't go out and buy a new teapot based on just one study. But if you enjoy black tea (like orange pekoe orange pekoe n. A grade of black tea consisting of the end buds of the shoot or their surrounding two full leaves. [From the orange color of its infusion.] Noun 1. or Earl Grey Earl Grey Noun a variety of China tea flavoured with oil of bergamot ), you can enjoy it more. One caveat: In people who weren't used to drinking tea, two cups raised blood pressure, probably because of the caffeine. Circulation 104: 151, 2001. |
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