Researchers say that drinking just three cups of tea a day can protect against heart attacks and stroke, according to a story in the UK's Daily Mail on October 9.

A new review shows regular drinking of either black or green tea can reduce the risk of heart problems by 11 per cent. It cuts the build-up of plaque in the arteries - a combination of dangerous fat and cholesterol.

The review by researchers at the University of Western Australia says the benefits of tea are largely due to the flavonoid content, antioxidant ingredients that counteract cardiovascular disease.

One cup of tea provides 150-200mg of flavonoids. In terms of the delivery of antioxidants, two cups of tea is equivalent to five portions of vegetables or two apples.

Dr Jonathan Hodgson, co-author of the review, said "There is now consistent data indicating that tea and tea flavonoids can enhance nitric oxide status and improve endothelial function, which may be at least partly responsible for benefits on cardiovascular health."

Plaques in the carotid artery (a marker of atherosclerosis) have been shown to be less common in both men and women who drink tea. Bearing in mind the number of studies, including human trials, data demonstrates that flavonoids in tea can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis.

This review also highlights evidence from randomized controlled trials showing that tea consumption may improve the health of the inner lining of the blood vessels as well as evidence that tea may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and lower blood pressure.

Adding milk to tea doesn't affect the absorption of flavonoids from tea, according to several human research trials. In addition, the antioxidant effects seen in our blood following tea consumption are similar whether or not milk is added.

据每日邮报10月9日报道，研究者称每天喝三杯茶可以防止心脏病和中风。

新研究结果显示，经常喝茶(无论绿茶还是红茶)可以使心脏问题减少11%。其主要机理是，喝茶可以减少血管中血栓的堆积。而血栓是由危险脂肪和胆固醇结合而成的。

西澳大利亚大学研究人员表示，喝茶的好处在很大程度上取决于茶叶中的类黄酮等抗氧化剂，这些物质有助于防止心血管疾病。1杯茶含类黄酮150—200毫克。在抗氧化剂方面，喝两杯茶相当于吃5份蔬菜或吃两只苹果。

研究成员之一乔纳森•霍奇森博士表示，研究发现，越来越多的数据表明茶和茶叶类黄酮可以增强一氧化氮状况，改善血管内皮功能，因此给心血管健康带来好处。

经常喝茶的男女，动脉血管血栓明显较少。多项研究（含人体实验）得出的数据也表明，茶叶中的类黄酮具有控制动脉硬化症的功效。

新研究同时强调喝茶可以改善血管内壁健康状况，又表明喝茶可以降低高血压和低血压带来的危险。

多项人体实验证明，喝茶时加入牛奶不会影响人体对茶叶类黄酮的吸收。另外，无论茶中加不加牛奶，喝茶之后人体血液中的抗氧化剂水平都不受影响。