Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inVishwam SankaranWednesday 28 October 2026 11:08 GMT(Getty/iStock)A nine-year study of nearly 490,000 adults in China found that regular tea drinking is linked to an 11 per cent lower risk of heart, lung, and brain diseases.The lowest risk was observed among individuals consuming six to eight cups of tea per day, alongside not smoking and maintaining high physical activity levels.Black tea demonstrated a more consistent protective benefit against vascular disease than green tea, particularly when consumed at moderate strength.Drinking burning hot or scalding tea was associated with an increased vascular risk, though researchers noted this finding shows an association rather than direct causation.Experts from the British Heart Foundation highlighted that tea consumption is most effective when integrated into a broader healthy diet and active lifestyle.In fullHow long you brew tea can have a big health impact, study showsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in