New research finds drinking tea on a regular basis is linked to a longer life

Stick on the kettle. 

Listen up tea lovers, as new research has shown that regular tea consumption is linked to a longer and healthier life.

The study as reported in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, found that drinking tea at least three times a week can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve health.

It found that drinking tea could increase your life span by more than a year.

Pic: OLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images

Participants were categorised into two groups – habitual tea drinkers, those drinking three or more times a week, and never or non-habitual tea drinkers – those drinking less than three times a week.

Habitual tea drinkers had 1.41 years longer of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease-free years and 1.26 years longer of life expectancy at the age of 50, while non-habitual tea drinkers had 0.80 for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease incidence.

Compared with never or non-habitual tea drinkers, habitual tea consumers had a 20% lower risk of incident heart disease and stroke, and a 22% lower risk of fatal heart disease and stroke. They also had a 15% decreased risk of all-cause death.

Dr Xinyan Wang, of the Chinese Academy of Medical Science in Beijing, said: “Habitual tea consumption is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease and all-cause death.

“The favourable health effects are the most robust for green tea and for long-term habitual tea drinkers.”

The study also found that those who drank green tea, had a 25% lower risk of incident heart disease and stroke, fatal heart disease and stroke, and all-cause death.

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