October 24, 2026Updated October 25, 2026, 1:19 p.m. ET
The temperature at which you drink your tea may be associated with your risk of vascular disease, according to a new study of more than 485,000 adults in China.
Researchers found that people who reported drinking tea at least three days a week had about an 11% lower risk of vascular disease than those who drank it less frequently, CNN reported. But people who reported drinking “hot” tea were at higher risk than those who didn’t drink it regularly.
The study, published Oct. 21 in the Journal of Internal Medicine, followed adults ages 30 to 79 for about nine years. Researchers recorded more than 14,800 cases of vascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes and peripheral artery disease.
The results show an association, not proof, that drinking tea at a particular temperature causes or prevents disease. The researchers relied on participants’ reports of their tea drinking habits, and other differences in their lifestyle may have influenced the results.
How hot is too hot for tea?
According to the study, people who reported drinking “hot” tea had a 16% higher risk of vascular disease than those who did not drink tea regularly.
In comparison, drinking tea at room temperature or a warm but comfortable temperature was associated with lower risk than not drinking it regularly.
The results suggest that temperature may be a factor to consider when drinking tea. However, the study does not establish that temperature itself is the cause of the differences in risk.
Does black or green tea offer more benefits?
Researchers found that people who drank moderately strong tea had a lower risk of vascular disease than those who didn’t drink it regularly. When researchers compared types of tea, black tea was associated with a lower risk for more types of vascular disease than green tea.
Tea contains natural compounds called polyphenols, including flavonoids, which researchers have studied for their potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, CNN reported. However, the study did not establish whether these compounds explained the associations between tea consumption and vascular disease risk.
How much tea should you drink?
Among people who drank tea at least once a week, those who drank about six to eight cups a day had the lowest estimated risk of vascular disease, the researchers found.
However, the study doesn’t mean people should start drinking six to eight cups of tea a day. The researchers did not determine how much tea people should drink to prevent disease, and the results were based on participants’ reports of their tea drinking habits.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on X @athompsonUSAT
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