How You Drink Your Tea May Affect Heart Health, Study Finds

October 21, 2026 - 05:08

The way you prepare and drink your tea could influence your cardiovascular health, according to a new study. Researchers found that tea itself offers meaningful benefits for the heart, but those advantages may disappear, or even reverse, when the beverage is consumed at very high temperatures.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking beverage temperature to health outcomes. While tea contains compounds that support blood vessel function and may help lower the risk of heart disease, regularly drinking it scalding hot appears to work against those gains. Scientists believe the damage may come from repeated thermal stress on the esophagus and surrounding tissues, which can set off inflammation and other harmful processes over time.

The study does not suggest giving up tea. Instead, it points to a simple adjustment: let your cup cool for a few minutes before drinking. Researchers note that the ideal temperature is warm rather than piping hot, and that patience may be the easiest way to preserve tea's heart benefits. They also emphasize that how often and how much tea you drink matters, along with other lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise.

For people who rely on tea as part of a daily routine, the message is encouraging but cautious. The drink remains a healthy choice for most, provided it is not consumed at temperatures that could cause harm. Experts recommend paying attention to the steam rising from the cup and taking small sips to judge the heat before drinking fully.