Black tea may reduce inflammation when consumed about four cups a day

A review of 22 studies found that people who regularly drank around three to four cups of black tea daily showed reductions in markers of inflammation, with larger effects reported among those with higher baseline inflammation.

A new review reports that regular black tea drinking was associated with lower markers of inflammation in the studies examined. Researchers looked across 22 previously published papers, including 11 reviews and 11 clinical trials, to assess how black tea affects inflammatory markers. Most of the included studies involved people drinking about three to four cups of black tea per day. Authors and outside experts noted that the tea's plant compounds and antioxidants are a likely explanation for observed effects. Key findings: - The review analyzed 22 studies, comprising 11 reviews and 11 clinical trials. - People who regularly drank black tea—typically around three to four cups daily—showed reductions in inflammatory markers in the included studies. - Reductions were most noticeable among participants who had higher levels of inflammation at baseline. - Black tea contains polyphenols (including flavan-3-ols, theaflavins, thearubigins, catechins and quercetin) and the amino acid L-theanine, which authors say may act as antioxidants and influence inflammatory pathways. - Authors suggested the findings could be relevant to conditions linked to chronic inflammation, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma and osteoarthritis. Summary: The review adds to evidence that dietary black tea intake was associated with lower inflammatory markers in the included studies. Practical implications for prevention or treatment remain undetermined at this time.