title: The role of tea and tea flavonoids in cardiovascular health.
abstract: Consumption of green or black tea has been inversely associated with the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, the current knowledge about protective effects of tea and tea constituents, particularly flavonoids, on the cardiovascular system is summarized. Underlying mechanisms for the beneficial effects of tea include vasculoprotective, antioxidative, antithrombogenic, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties of tea flavonoids. Although promising experimental data on beneficial effects of tea in various cardiovascular diseases are available, results of clinical studies in humans are not uniform. A number of factors are discussed which may contribute to inconsistent data in humans. Overall, tea represents a promising tool for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Angiologie, Pneumologie, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Germany. verena.stangl@charite.de
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stangl
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stangl
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D008055:Lipids; D013662:Tea