The relationship between regular tea drinking and calcification of the coronary arteries

Introduction: Coronary Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Atherosclerosis could be detected noninvasively by coronary calcification, measured by calcium score in CT angiography. Dietary factors are influential in the evolution of coronary plaques, and one of the most prevalent drinks is black tea. We aimed to evaluate the effects of black tea on coronary calcium scores.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytical descriptive study was conducted on 200 candidates for CT angiography referred by their physician because their symptoms were suggestive of ischemia. A questionnaire was filled out for every participant, and the habit of tea drinking was asked and marked as none drinker, 1-3 cups per day and >3 cups per day.

Results: 89.5% of the participants consumed tea. The mean calcium score in patients who did not drink tea was 674.9±154.74 in those patients who drank 1-3 glasses per day, 269.5±46.9 and in those who drank more than three glasses of tea and was 261.1±45.2. There was a significant statistical relationship between calcium scores and tea intake, independent to other traditional risk factors (P= 0.001). Significant coronary artery plaques were also less prevalent in those who drank tea (36% and 41% in 1-3 and >3 cups, respectively) than non-drinkers (67%). Still, the number of involved vessels was not significantly different.

Conclusion: Regular black tea consumption could have protective effects on coronary artery calcification.